Hydro-Québec believes in the 4Rs and E: reduce at source, reuse, recycle, reclaim and eliminate waste. In Québec, municipalities and regional county municipalities (RCMs) are responsible for waste management within their jurisdictions. Ask your municipality or RCM about the services offered (curbside recycling collection, bulky item pickup, recycling depots, hazardous waste disposal).

Doing your part

Thermostats
Some types of thermostats (central controls, mainly) contain mercury. Mercury is highly toxic, so if you wish to dispose of a thermostat containing mercury, follow instructions and drop it off at the hazardous household waste centre run by your municipality or RCM. For safety reasons, do not remove the switches that contain the mercury.

Most thermostats used with electric baseboard heaters don't contain mercury, but their components can be recycled. Drop them off at your local recycling depot.

Construction and renovation materials (including insulation)
Construction and renovation materials are not usually picked up at the curbside, but must be taken to a recycling depot. Contact your municipality or RCM for information.

Pool timers
Did you know that your pool timer can also be used to control your block heater or outdoor lights if the voltage is compatible? If you would like to get rid of a timer that still works, don't throw it in the garbage–drop it off at your local recycling depot. If the timer no longer works, contact your municipality, RCM or a firm that recycles electronic components.

CFLs
When you have to dispose of your CFLs at the end of their service life, take the environment into account. CFLs contain roughly three milligrams of mercury, which is 20% as much as in a watch battery and only 1% of the amount in an old thermometer. Dispose of CFLs safely, in accordance with the options offered in your municipality for hazardous household waste, such as paint and household chemicals. Most components in CFLs can be recycled. The www.recycfluo.ca site is a good source of information on recycling CFLs and what to do in case of breakage.

Incandescent or halogen bulbs
These types of lightbulbs are not considered to be hazardous household waste, but your municipality may take them at its HHW centre. Don't throw them away in the regular garbage except as a last resort.

Household appliances
Hydro-Québec encourages you to dispose of old appliances and waste properly.

Showerheads
Replacing your showerhead? Drop off your old one at your local recycling depot.

For more information

For more information on services offered or to find out if there is a recycling depot near you, call your municipality or RCM.

You can also get the names and numbers of firms that specialize in recovering, reusing and reclaiming waste by calling Recyc-Québec at (514) 351-7835 in the Montréal area, or 1 800 807-0678 elsewhere in Québec, or by searching the directory called Répertoire québécois des récupérateurs, recycleurs et valorisateurs on the agency's Web site:
http://www.recyc-quebec.gouv.qc.ca.