As part of our One Planet Action plan, Zibi is commited to divert waste from landfills by at least 70% by offering waste management alternatives to its residents, including recycling and compost programs.
This page will serve as a guide for our residents and community members on best practices for waste diversion.
Provincial waste directives vary, please carefully refer to either the Quebec or Ontario section of this page based on your address. Zibi Quebec waste hauler: Derichebourg, Zibi Ontario waster hauler: Tomlinson.
WHERE DO I DISPOSE OF THIS UNCOMMON ITEM?
JUNK THAT FUNK OTTAWA
Ottawa’s residential and commercial junk removal experts. They pride themselves on an environmentally sensitive approach to rubbish removal. They come pick up the junk wherever it is and ensure that it gets recycled, donated or disposed of in a responsible way.
ECOCENTRES
Free for Gatineau residents, the city’s various Ecocentres offers the drop off of materials like tires, household hazardous waste, electronics, construction residents, textiles and bulky items. Check out the Ecocentre in your neighbourhood!
Recycle My Electronics program
There are plenty of locations in Gatineau and Ottawa to recycle your electronics. Our electronics are filled with resources – everything from glass and plastic to gold, silver, copper and palladium – that are easily recovered and recycled, instead of in the landfill.
Ottawa Hazardous waste and special items
Corrosive, flammable or poisonous materials are all considered to be hazardous waste. These types of products contaminate water and landfills and should never be poured down the drain or put out with your regular garbage. Consult the City of Ottawa webpage to learn about Household Hazardous Waste Depot locations and hours and other details. Also, find out about participating pharmacies for disposal of unused prescription drugs, participating retailers for recycling batteries or returning paint, and disposal of construction materials.
RESOURCES TO HELP REDUCE WASTE
LOVE FOOD HATE WASTE
Launched in June 2018, Love Food Hate Waste Canada is brought to you by the National Zero Waste Council, an initiative of Metro Vancouver, with the goal of helping Canadians make the most of the food they love. Learn about surprising household waste statistics, how to make the most of your food by planning your meals, using all your ingredients and keeping your produce fresh, find recipes for your leftover food items, and get inspired with neat tips from veteran food waste champions.
COOK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
Join this database of recipes that make sure to use up all your leftover ingredients and incorporate any less familiar product into your meals. They also offer tips on well-stocked pantries so cooking becomes more fun and realistic, as well as cooking workshops of all kinds. All in the spirit of wasting less of what you buy!
THE BOX OF LIFE
Vermicomposting is gaining traction as an efficient way to process your food scraps and use that “waste” to fertilize your garden of plants or vegetables. A local start-up, The Box of Life offers minimalist worm studios made of amazing-smelling cedar, as well as A-class customer service. Check out their boxes and start your vermicomposting journey today!
Remember that the best way to reduce waste is to reduce unnecessary consumption. When consumption is necessary, look for durable materials that will extend its use for more than a couple of times. Also, join the Zibi Community Facebook group by befriending Zibi Opa on Facebook to join in the sharing community within your neighbourhood. Declutter your space, find versatile uses for different items, or donate them to your local charity. You can also join the nearest Buy Nothing Facebook group to join into the gifting economy of sharing resources that no longer serve you but might serve others.
Quebec Residential
COMPOST
(Brown bin)
Accepted Materials
Food waste, including:
Coffee (coffee grounds and filters), Condiments, Egg and nut shells, Seafood (including shells and carapaces), Fruits and vegetables (including pits, peels and seeds), Animal and vegetable oils and fats (in small quantities), Pet food, Tea and herbal tea bags, Meat and fish (including bones)
Soiled paper and cardboard, including :
Egg and pizza boxes, Paper towels, Newspapers, Tissue paper, Parchment paper, Cardboard dishes (not waxed)
Yard waste, including :
Branches less than 12 mm in diameter, Cooled wood ashes, Wood chips and sawdust, Weeds, Straw and hay, Healthy or diseased plants
Other :
Hair, nails, feathers, fur, Soil and sand (in small quantities, without rocks, respecting the maximum weight of the brown bin set at 25 kg)
Rejected Materials
Dead animals, Branches and trunks of trees over 12 mm in diameter, Diapers, Pet excrement and litter, Liquids in large quantities, Recyclable materials, including plastic packaging, Household garbage, including polystyrene (Styrofoam) and waxed paper, Vacuum cleaner dust, Hygienic products, Household hazardous waste, Clothing and textile
RECYCLING
(Blue bin)
Accepted Materials
Paper and cardboard, including :
Boxes and rolls of cardboard, Milke and juice cartons, Circulars, newspapers and magazines, Books
Plastic, including :
Plugs and lids, Bottles of water, juice, laundry soap, etc., Containers identified by a number other than 6, Packaging bags and films
Metal, including :
Canned goods, Caps and lids, Aluminum bottles and cans, Aluminum foil (even if soiled)
Glass, including :
Jars and containers, Bottles of wine, juice, carbonated water, etc
Rejected Materials
Polystyrene (styrofoam) and number 6 plastic containers
Metallized packaging (chip bags, cereal bar packaging, etc.), Toys, Building materials (wood, ceramics, insulating wool), Plastic objects not identified by a number, Soiled paper and cardboard, Electronic products, Household hazardous waste (batteries, paint), Crockery (ceramic, melamine, porcelain, or glass), Clothing and textiles, Flat glass (mirror, windows)
LANDFILL
(Grey bin)
Is your item still useful? Before placing it in the grey bin, check to see if another option is available to you, such as reuse.
Accepted Materials
Polystyrene (styrofoam) and number 6 plastic containers, Diapers, Metallized packaging (chip bags, cereal bar packaging, etc.), Pet droppings and litter, Toys, Plastic objects not identified by a number, Hygienic products, Crockery (ceramic, melamine, porcelain, or glass), Clothing and textiles
Rejected Materials
Bulky and construction waste, Compostable materials and green waste, Recyclable materials, Tires, Electronic products, Household hazardous waste
Not sure where to dispose of one of your items? Consult Gatineau DTRITUS.
Ontario Residential
COMPOST
(Brown bin)
Accepted Materials
Food waste, including:
Bread, Coffee filters & grounds, Condiments, Corn cobs & husks, Cake & candy (desserts), Eggs & shells, Seafood, fish parts, Cooking oils (solidified), Animal greases & vegetable lard, Fruits, Herbs, Pasta, beans, rice & couscous, Popcorn, Sugar & spices, Vegetables, Tea and tea bags, Oatmeal & oats, Cereal & grains, Meat, Shellfish, Poultry and giblets, Pizza, Nuts, pits and nut-shells, Leftovers/plate scrapings, Dairy products (milk, cheese, sour cream), Butter, Liquids (sauces, juice, coffee, etc), Wooden Popsicle sticks,
Yard waste, including:
Flowers, plants & weeds, Dried flowers, Leaves, Grass clippings, Pumpkins, Houseplants, including soil, Tree branches (less than 12mm in diameter and less than 1.5m in length), Untreated wood pellets, Untreated wood chips and sawdust, Untreated wood scraps (less than 75mm in any dimension), Straw and hay
Other :
Paper towels, Tissues, Paper napkins, Kleenex, Cotton balls, Sugar, flour and potato paper, Food-soiled paper box-board and cardboard, Newspaper & paper, Animal food, Paper coffee cups
Rejected Materials
Ashes, Animals, Construction materials, Hair, Diapers and sanitary products, Plastic wrapping, All animal feces or soiled litter, Recyclables (glass, plastic and metal), Nail clippings, Waxed paper, Animal fur and feathers, Vacuum dust, Dangerous domestic products (used oils, batteries, paints, cleaning products, etc.), Dental floss, Q-tips, Styrofoam, Textiles, Rhubarb leaves, Cigarette butts, Plastic bags of any kind
MIXED FIBER
(what colour is the bin?)
Accepted Materials
Newspaper/flyers, Soft cover books, Egg cartons, Tissue/cereal boxes, Printer paper, Magazines, Post-it notes, White envelopes, Cereal boxes
Rejected Materials
Garbage, Coffee cups, Milk/juice cartons, Wood, Paper towel, styrofoam
GLASS/METAL/PLASTIC
(what colour is the bin?)
Accepted Materials
Tin (steel) cans, Aluminium cans, #1 PET plastics, #2 HDPE plastics, Tubs and lids (up to 5 gallons), Drinking bottle glass
Rejected Materials
Styrofoam, Ceramics, Electronics, Glass (not bottles), ABS pipes, Aluminium foil, Plastic toys, Mixed metal/plastic (ex. Pens), Plastic bags
LANDFILL
(Missing section??)
Not sure where to dispose of one of your items? Consult the City of Ottawa Waste Explorer.
