Environmental health

Environmental health at the municipal level concerns residual waste management (recycling, garbage, landfill) as well as public health aspects. 

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Garbage pick-up and recycling

Recyclable materials and garbage destined to be sent to landfill are picked up on alternating Mondays. 

The municipality also offers a bulky garbage pick-up (of household materials) four times a year.

Consult the calendar for garbage and recycling for the current year.

We remind you that the municipal by-law requires that garbage to be picked up by the Municipality must be placed in plastic bags and placed within a watertight, animal-proof covered container, such as a metal or plastic garbage pail with handles and a cover, with a maximum capacity of 10o litres that cannot be overturned  and that does not allow garbage to be spilled.  

All recyclable materials must be placed in the blue bin provided by the Municipality. To avoid problems with the company that picks up the recyclable materials, refer to the sketch below which shows the correct placement of the blue bin at the roadside. Please note also that the contractor will not pick-up recyclable materials, such as big pieces of cardboard, if they are not in the blue bins.

Some guidelines for recycling:
Plastic bags must be gathered together and compressed in the same bag. Ideally, plastic tops should be left on plastic containers. It is not necessary to remove the plastic spout from milk and juice cartons, juice boxes (Tetra Pak). All cans and containers should be rinsed. Labels may be left on jars and bottles. All food traces must be removed from pizza delivery and other delivery boxes from a restaurant.

Materials not picked up:
Manure, earth, sand, pipes, construction material, construction debris, explosives, rubble, plaster, trunks of wood, chunks of concrete and masonry, pieces of paving, tires, car bodies, car parts including batteries and tires of all kinds, hazardous wastes, used oils, paints, solvents. (See below.)

Construction and demolition materials:
Any person who has to dispose of rubble and construction materials must make his own arrangements with an authorized company that will dispose of the materials in compliance with the law.

Construction materials can also be taken to the Eco-centre at Mansonville. A fee based on the volume is charged to defray the real cost of the service. All materials brought in are taken to the Centre de recuperation de Gestion Richer where everything possible will be recycled before the remaining waste is sent to landfill

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Other kinds of materials 

Used tires
In July, you can get rid of your old tires by bringing them behind the fire station at 23 Millington Road. Only car, truck and pick-up truck tires without rims are accepted. They must not be bigger than 48.5 in. in diameter (exterior dimensions) and 24.5 in diameter (interior dimensions). For safety reasons, it is forbidden to leave tires here at any other time of the year.

Various other materials
Permanent drop-off points for a variety of materials are offered at the town hall. Please note that these are open all year, but only during office hours.

.	Oils (mineral, synthetic or vegetal) sold in 50-litre containers or less, and used filters and empty     containers. Heating oil and diluted oils are not accepted
.	Paint and propane tanks
.	Small, non-rechargeable batteries
.	Small rechargeable batteries, cell phones and printer cartridges

Paint
Paints accepted under the éco-peinture program

Accepted		Not accepted
Paints (latex, oil-based, enamel or others) Stain Metal or anti-rust paint Varnish Epoxy Lacquer Aluminium paint Wood treatment products or preparations for the treatment of wood (preservatives) or for masonry (including acrylic sealer for autos) Sign paints (available in retail stores)		Solvents and thinners Aerosols Adhesives Tar and sealers Granular paint Industrial Paint Commercial sign paint Artist's paints Stucco

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Emptying of septic tanks

Septic tanks are emptied every two years for permanent residents and every four years for part-time residents between June and October. A 10 day advance notice is sent out asking residents to clear off the cover or covers of the system and make sure the tank is accessible, before the contractor comes. After the tank is cleaned, a receipt is left to advise the owner that he or she may again replace the covers, if necessary.

To obtain more information about septic installations,  a useful guide to good practice for owners of septic installations is available from the Ministère du Développement durable, de  l'Environnement et des Parcs (MDDEP), in French. This discusses what a landowner may do to ensure that his system functions well and lasts as long as possible. Among other subjects discussed: the obligation of the landowner to use a certified system; good practice inside the home (garbage dispposal units, reduction in the use of potable water, additions to septic tanks, water softeners and other treatment systems for drinking water as well as good practice outside the home (septic tank, drains, precautions to take on top of the septic installation), and indications of problems.

You can also check the MDDEP website which has information about septic installations at: http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/eau/eaux-usees/foire-questions/faq.htm (in French).

An excellent guide in English  is available from Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation at:
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemare_009.cfm.