🗑️ Montreal Collection Schedule Finder

Find your borough’s typical collection days for garbage, recycling and compost (organic waste).

♻️ Recycling (blue bin) —

Paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastics #1–7. Rinse containers. No plastic bags inside the blue bin.

🍂 Organic waste (brown bin) —

Food scraps, coffee grounds, paper towels, plant trimmings. Year-round. Compostable bags only.

🗑️ Household garbage (grey/black bin) —

Everything that can’t be recycled or composted. Not: hazardous, electronics, batteries, paint (those go to éco-centres).

🪑 Bulky items (encombrants) —

Furniture, mattresses, appliances. Usually monthly — book through 311.

Days shown are typical for the borough. Your specific street may differ — confirm with the city’s address-based collection lookup at montreal.ca/en/info-collectes.

Montreal trash, recycling and compost — what goes in each bin

Réponse rapide : Montreal has 4 collection streams — blue (recycling), brown (organics/compost), grey or black (household garbage), and bulky items by appointment. Days and frequency vary by borough. Use the tool above for your area’s schedule, and the bin guide below to avoid contamination.

The blue bin (recycling) — what goes in

  • Yes: paper, cardboard, glass bottles & jars, metal cans, plastic containers #1–7, juice boxes, milk cartons.
  • No: plastic bags, styrofoam, ceramics, light bulbs, batteries, electronics, soiled paper.
  • Conseil: rinse food residue. Wet/greasy paper contaminates a whole truck load.

The brown bin (organic waste) — what goes in

Montreal rolled out compost city-wide between 2019–2025. As of 2026, all 19 boroughs offer the brown bin.

  • Yes: food scraps (all kinds, including bones, dairy, fish), coffee grounds, tea bags, soiled paper (napkins, paper towels), plant trimmings, hair, lint.
  • No: plastic bags (even “biodegradable” — Montreal doesn’t accept), pet waste, diapers, kitty litter.
  • Conseil: line your kitchen bin with newspaper or certified compostable bags (look for the BNQ logo). In summer, freeze meat/fish scraps until collection day to avoid odors.

The grey/black bin (household garbage)

Everything that can’t go in the other two bins, except hazardous waste:

  • No: electronics, batteries, paint, oil, solvents, propane tanks, smoke detectors, prescription drugs.
  • Those items go to éco-centres (free for residents) — Montreal has 7 locations across the island.

Bulky items (encombrants)

Furniture, mattresses, large appliances. Most boroughs have a monthly pickup day; some require booking via 311. Items must be at the curb the night before. Mattresses must be in a plastic bag (sold at hardware stores) to prevent bedbug spread.

Christmas trees, hazardous waste, leaf collection

  • Christmas trees: collected free of charge during the first 2 weeks of January in most boroughs.
  • Hazardous household waste days: the city organizes mobile collections 4–6× per year per borough. Schedule on montreal.ca.
  • Leaves: dedicated collection mid-October to late November in paper bags (no plastic).

Montreal Trash & Recycling FAQ

What day is garbage day in the Plateau Mont-Royal?

The Plateau-Mont-Royal collects household garbage twice a week (typically Tuesday and Friday), recycling on Wednesday, and compost twice a week (Monday and Thursday). Check your exact street on montreal.ca/en/info-collectes for any local variations.

Can I put plastic bags in the Montreal blue bin?

No. Loose plastic bags are not accepted in Montreal’s recycling stream — they jam sorting equipment. Return them to grocery store collection points (Provigo, Metro, IGA) instead. Plastic bags are accepted only at éco-centres in some boroughs.

Are compostable bags accepted in the brown bin?

Only certified compostable bags marked with the BNQ logo are accepted in Montreal’s brown bin. Generic “biodegradable” bags are not compostable in the city’s industrial process. The safest option is paper bags or unlined containers.

Where can I throw away electronics in Montreal?

Electronics (TVs, computers, phones, cables) must go to an éco-centre or an authorized retailer take-back program. Montreal has 7 free éco-centres open to residents. Some stores like Best Buy and Bureau en Gros also accept small electronics free.

How do I dispose of a mattress in Montreal?

Book a bulky item collection via 311 or on the Montreal website. Mattresses must be wrapped in a sealed plastic bag (sold at hardware stores) to prevent bedbug transmission. Some boroughs charge a fee; most are free.

What happens if I miss garbage day?

Leave the bin out until the next collection. Most Montreal boroughs do not run make-up collections. If a holiday shifts collection, your borough’s website publishes the adjusted schedule. Bags left out off-schedule attract animals and may result in a $100+ fine.

Are éco-centres free in Montreal?

Yes, the 7 Montreal éco-centres are free for residents to drop off recyclables, hazardous waste, construction debris (within limits), and bulky items. You must show ID with a Montreal address. Commercial drop-offs are charged by weight.

Outils Montréal associés

Sources: Ville de Montréal — Info-Collectes, montreal.ca borough pages. Schedules are typical patterns — always confirm by address. Last updated May 2026.