On June 22, 2009, Alan DeSousa, member of the Executive Committee of the Ville de Montréal Responsible for Sustainable Development and the Environment, enthusiastically announced the start of field testing of the new recyclables collection tool in the boroughs of Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Plateau-Mont-Royal and Verdun. Close to 3,000 prototype units will be distributed in specific areas chosen by the boroughs, and will be tested over a 12-week period starting July 13.
“Today I am very pleased to be unveiling the new recyclables collection tool, which will be undergoing testing in three Montréal boroughs until the end of September,” Mr. DeSousa said. “Implementation of this collection tool is one more way of increasing the quantities of recyclable materials in the city and decreasing the number of garbage bags that go to the curb—and, at the end of the day, to landfill. This innovative project, which is part of the city’s draft waste-management master plan, is proof of our administration’s desire to provide Montrealers with recycling tools that better meet their needs, and help us reach the recovery objectives put forth in the Québec Residual Materials Management Policy.”
In addition to gathering residents' comments about the user-friendliness of the prototype, this pilot project will make it possible to test its durability and reliability. The new 72-litre collection tool offers considerable advantages compared to the current green bins, in terms of its ergonomics (it is easy for both residents and collectors to use), capacity, wind resistance and lightweight design. The tool is also easy to close, which will ensure cleaner streets and sidewalks. It will also help meet the challenges faced on nearly a third of the Agglomeration's territory, where the type of housing precludes the use of larger caster-equipped bins.
“Residents of the Plateau will very soon reach and exceed the objectives of the Québec policy,” declared Plateau-Mont-Royal Borough Mayor Helen Fotopulos. “Having this new tool in place will have a positive impact on us, not only in terms of efficient curbside recycling but also cleanliness, which is an important issue in a borough as densely populated as the Plateau—which, on top of that, attracts some 100,000 visitors every day.”
For his part, Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Borough Mayor Michael Applebaum said: “We are proud to be taking part in the pilot project for the new collection tool, which will contribute to our fulfilling and even exceeding the objectives of the Québec government’s policy. What is more, the pilot project coincides with the first anniversary of our borough’s Green Plan. Some new actions have been implemented since the beginning of the year, and the pilot project is in keeping with the values of our borough.”
And Verdun Borough Mayor Claude Trudel emphasized: “The Borough of Verdun is proud to participate in this pilot project, which is perfectly in keeping with our objective of making Verdun cleaner and greener. For the field testing, we have identified an area that is more conducive to the use of the new recycling tool because of the types of dwellings there.”
Upon conclusion of the pilot project, as many as 500,000 units could be produced and distributed to boroughs in 2010–2011.
The new recyclables collection tool, designed by the firm Claude Mauffette Design Industriel, is the result of a design competition launched by the Ville de Montréal in 2007, and is a further means of giving tangible expression to the distinction Montréal, UNESCO City of Design, awarded in 2006.
Exemplary practices
The City is leading by example, supporting innovation in design and the work of Montréal designers by providing tangible solutions to improve the quality of public property and enhance the living environment of Montréalers. The design contest is among the most progressive ways of improving the quality of projects, because it promotes a healthy spirit of competition and opens the market to new talent. This industrial design competition for the new recycling tool fulfils one of the commitments made in the Montréal Cultural Metropolis – Rendez-vous November 2007 action plan: to promote excellence in architecture and design through the regular use of competitions.
Partners
The competition, which was launched by the Ville de Montréal at the initiative of the Division de la gestion des matières résiduelles (waste management division) of the Direction de l’environnement et du développement durable (environment and sustainable development branch), in conjunction with the Design Montréal office, attracted many partners from both the private and public sectors. Financial support was provided by RECYC-QUÉBEC, Éco Entreprises Québec, Collecte Sélective Québec and the Ville de Québec.
