A new era for curbside recycling soon underway in Mauricie
Partnership agreements have been signed with Éco Entreprises Québec
Montreal, September 10, 2024 — Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ) is proud to announce the conclusion of partnerships in the Mauricie region, which—under the extended producer responsibility (EPR) principle—make ÉEQ responsible for planning, supervising and financing the curbside recycling system. The Agglomération de La Tuque and the municipalities grouped within Énercycle* have signed agreements that formalize ÉEQ’s role in the collection and transportation of recyclable materials.
The excellent collaboration of the elected officials in Mauricie will ensure the optimization of the curbside recycling ecosystem by introducing streamlined operations and improving logistical efficiency, while maintaining a citizen-centered approach. In addition, the implementation of EPR by ÉEQ will allow all Quebecers to collect the same materials in the blue bins, no matter where they are in Quebec. As the producer responsibility organization (PRO) for curbside recycling, ÉEQ will now be accountable for the system’s performance in Quebec.
Highlights
- It is expected that, as of January 1, 2025, ÉEQ will assume all the costs of collecting and transporting containers, packaging and printed paper recovered by means of curbside recycling throughout Québec;
- As a result, there will be only one list of recyclable materials will be in force in Quebec, regardless of the region or municipality;
- ÉEQ will compensate the signatory municipal organizations (MOs) for the associated management fees and the costs of public service information;
- The terms of the partnership agreements with MOs in Mauricie are mainly intended to:
– State the respective responsibilities of both parties;
– Oversee the implementation of the curbside recycling services;
– Establish a list of materials accepted in recycling bins;
– Set the parameters for reimbursement and compensation by ÉEQ. - These agreements are in addition to those concluded in recent months with many cities and MOs in compliance with the Regulation respecting a system of selective collection for certain residual materials and other regulatory provisions;
- The agreements signed in Mauricie announced today cover curbside recycling services for 270,676 people;
- The following are part of the Agglomération de La Tuque: La Tuque, Lac-Édouard, La Bostonnais and Coucoucache.
- Énercycle member MOs include: Trois-Rivières, Shawinigan and the RCMs of Chenaux, Maskinongé and Mékinac.
- To date, ÉEQ has reached agreements with some 115 municipal organizations representing 8.34 million Quebecers, or 98% of the population.
Quote
“These partnerships mark an important turning point in the implementation of the EPR principle of curbside recycling in the Mauricie region. This collaboration will allow the transformation to proceed smoothly and will make the management of recyclable materials more efficient and, ultimately, promote the circular economy. ”
— Maryse Vermette, President and CEO of Éco Entreprises Québec.
About Éco Entreprises Québec
Since 2005, Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ), a private non-profit organization, has represented producers who put on the market containers, packaging and printed paper regarding their financial responsibilities for curbside recycling. Designated as Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) in 2022, ÉEQ manages the curbside recycling system in Quebec from a sustainable development perspective.
As a leader in extended producer responsibility (EPR), ÉEQ develops, manages and provides circular economy solutions to its member producers so they can reduce their environmental footprint. ÉEQ places eco-design, recyclability and traceability at the core of all actions with its partners. ÉEQ will continue its role as the organization managing producers’ financial responsibilities in the compensation plan throughout the transition period to EPR.
* With the exception of the municipality of Maskinongé, which is part of another group that has entered into an agreement with ÉEQ.
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To find out more
Learn more about Éco Entreprises Québec’s role as a PRO.
For any questions about how to do the right thing when sorting, visit Bin Impact.
For further information:
Anne-Julie Maltais
Senior Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Éco Entreprises Québec
514-987-1491, ext. 254
ajmaltais@eeq.ca