Recycle to Protect the Environment

Hydro-Québec practises and promotes the 4R's: Reduce waste at source, Reuse, Recycle, Reclaim. 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 household hazardous 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

AWhen 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 household hazardous 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 household hazardous 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.

Fridges and freezers over 10 years old (with capacity of 10 to 25 cu. ft.)

A refrigerator over 10 years old consumes an average of three times more energy than a more recent model while an old freezer uses about twice as much as new ones. They both have a number of harmful effects to the environment, notably by contributing too greenhouse gases and acid rain due to its high energy consumption. Replacing your old appliances help slow ozone depletion through the elimination of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) when they are dismantled. With Recyc-Frigo Environmental Program, the appliances that are collected are taken out of service and dismantled. Each component is then recycled or destroyed in according with strict environmental standards. For more details about this program: www.recyc-frigo.com.

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.

ENERGY STAR® qualified windows and patio doors

Hydro-Québec encourages you to dispose of your old windows and patio doors and residual material properly.