Recyclable waste and materials | Myths or realities?

Quebec generates a lot of recyclable waste and materials. Therefore, So much that he has missed his reduction goal. Moreover, demonstrates the balance sheet of the year 2023 published on June 17 by Recyc-Québec. Nevertheless, But what happens to our residual subjects? Moreover, Can you decide between these six myths or realities?

Posted at 5:00 a.m. Furthermore,

Our. In addition, recyclable materials are shipped abroad – Recyclable waste materials | myths – Recyclable waste materials | myths new

Myth: It was true about ten years ago, but the trend has since been reversed. Moreover, In 2023, 58 % of materials leaving the sorting centers to be recycled were processed in Quebec, while in 2015, 61 % were shipped abroad. For example, Additionally, Moreover, The Quebec Recovery. However. Furthermore. Consequently, Recycling Society (Recyc-Québec) attributes this improvement to the closure of Asian markets, where even poorly sorted recyclable materials were sold at a good price, and better communication between sorting centers and Quebec recyclers.

The glass is little recycled – Recyclable waste materials | myths – Recyclable waste materials | myths new

recyclable waste materials | myths new

Reality: it’s still true, but things are starting to change. Therefore, Only 47 % of the glass generated by Quebec households. businesses was sent to recyclers in 2023, but this is an increase of 31 % compared to 2021. Most recyclable waste materials | myths new of the glass is therefore still sent to landfill sites. where it serves as a daily recovery material or for the development of access roads. This use decreased by 17 % in 2023. which agreed with the introduction that year of a royalty of $ 10 per recyclable waste recyclable waste materials. | myths new materials | myths. tonne on the materials used for these purposes.

Glass contaminates the other materials of the recovery tray

Myth: Glass is generally the first material recyclable waste materials | myths new withdrawn from sorting centers. and its weight makes the operation quite simple and effective. Rather, it is the other materials that are contaminated with each other, mixing, explains Recyc-Québec. For example, it happens that crushed plastic containers are found in a cardboard ballot, or vice versa. The large number of different recyclable waste materials | myths types of plastic is also recyclable waste materials |. myths new an issue. which accentuates the risk that a container will be found in the bad ball. that it is rejected in recycler, which does not treat this type of plastic.

Plastic is little recycled

Reality: only 20 % of the plastics generated by Quebec households. businesses – which combines what is thrown into the garbage. what is put in the recovery bac – are “transported for recycling”. And 17 % of this is intended recyclable waste materials | myths for energy valuation. This reality is explained. among other things, by the fact that many recyclable waste materials | myths new plastics were not accepted in selective collection in 2023. But this changed with the reform that entered into force in 2025. On the other hand, since all plastics are now accepted in the tank, the rejection rate could increase.

Construction residues are difficult to recycle

Myth: Wood alone represents 60 % of the materials in the construction sector. renovation recyclable waste materials | myths. demolition which are sent to the garbage. while the possible outlets are numerous, such as the manufacture of particle board (melamine). For less recyclable waste materials | myths new good quality wood, energy recovery would be a better option than burial. The gypsum panels can be introduced in the manufacture of new panels. Only asphalt shingles have fewer outlets, being used for energy recovery or the layout of access roads in landfill sites.

The contained containers are strongly recovered

Myth: The rate of return of recorded plastic bottles has been in constant fall for ten years. just like that of single -use, clear or green bottles of glass. recyclable waste materials | myths new The return rate of aluminum cans records a much lower drop in two percentage points. Meanwhile. the rate of return of bottles of brown beers with multiple filling is maintained around 95 %. but their use by the brewing industry is in free fall. The 2023 data recyclable waste materials | myths new does not reflect the reform of the instruction, which entered into force in November 2023.

Read the article “Waste reduction:. Quebec very far from its objective”