Montreal ecocentres: what they accept and when to book a pickup instead

Montreal ecocentres accept a wide range of materials, but only if you live in the Montréal agglomeration (or own property there) and bring photo ID plus proof of address. For a small load that fits in your vehicle, a drop-off is often the cheapest option. For heavy or bulky items, or a large volume, a pickup saves time and effort.

Who can use Montreal ecocentres

According to the City of Montréal official page, you can use ecocentre services if you live in the Montréal agglomeration, own a property there, run a construction company located there, or represent a community organization established there. The page also states that accepted materials vary by clientele.

In practice, if you live in Laval, on the North Shore or on the South Shore, you are not on that list unless you own property in the Montréal agglomeration. The rules of your own municipality’s ecocentre may differ, and we did not verify them one by one, so check your city’s website.

What ecocentres accept (and refuse)

The lists below summarize the official page. They can change, and the current version on montreal.ca is the reference.

Accepted for all clients

• Wood: planks, pieces of wood, undecorated natural Christmas trees.
• Construction, renovation and demolition debris: ceramic, metal, asphalt shingles, gypsum board, etc.
• Electronics: TV screens, computers, phones, etc. A limit on the number of devices per visit may apply.
• Green waste, during the summer season only.
• Uncontaminated sand or soil, dropped off in bulk.

Accepted for residents only

• Furniture: tables, chairs, etc.
• Upholstered bulky items: sofas, armchairs, mattresses and box springs.
• Electrical appliances: washing machines, dryers, toasters, etc.
• Electric bicycles and scooters.
• Recyclable materials: containers, packaging and printed materials.
• Gas-powered car batteries, fire extinguishers, engine oil in a closed container of 20 litres maximum.

Accepted under conditions

• Refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners: emptied, residential only, limit of 10 appliances per year.
• Hazardous household waste (paint, propane tanks, etc.): in original, clearly labelled containers, with volume and weight limits per container.

Refused

• Asbestos, biomedical waste, medications and syringes.
• Regular household waste and food waste.
• Clothes and bed linen beyond reuse (torn or stained).
• Motor vehicles, wrecked cars and electric vehicle batteries.

Good to know: mattresses and upholstered furniture are accepted but not recycled, except mattresses and box springs at the Saint-Laurent ecocentre. Upholstered bulky items and construction waste are limited to 15 visits per year, except at the LaSalle and Saint-Laurent ecocentres.

How it works: what to bring

1. Photo ID from the accepted list (citizenship card, permanent resident card, Québec health insurance card, passport, driver’s licence). It must belong to the person physically present.
2. Proof of address: for example a school or municipal tax account, a public utility bill less than 3 months old, or a home insurance certificate less than 1 year old.
3. Your materials sorted in the vehicle by category, to shorten the visit.
4. Someone to help unload: employees cannot help you unload heavy items.
5. A vehicle within the length limit of the ecocentre you choose. Tipping trailers and mechanical equipment are prohibited when unloading.

On costs, agglomeration residents drop off up to 12 cubic metres per year of construction debris and upholstered bulky items for free, then $31 per extra cubic metre. Other materials are free, but volume may be limited. A scale rental fee of $15.50 is also listed. Check current rates before you go.

Drop-off or pickup: which one fits

Drop-off is the right choice if

• You have a few items that fit in your vehicle.
• You live in the agglomeration and have your documents.
• You have time, help lifting, and a tight budget.

Pickup is the right choice if

• You have a couch, bed, appliance or renovation debris that is too heavy or too much.
• You have no suitable vehicle, or you live outside the agglomeration.
• You want a mix of items removed in one visit without sorting in your trunk.

Waiting times vary by site and by day, and the City publishes them on its page so you can pick a less busy ecocentre. The honest downsides: a pickup costs more than a free drop-off, and an ecocentre costs you time and logistics. For items ecocentres refuse or limit, such as a large volume of debris, a pickup can simplify things. At Good Bye Junk, recycling and donation come first. To learn more, see our services, our rates, and our pages on renovation debris removal and electronics waste removal.

FAQ

Can I use a Montreal ecocentre if I live in Laval or on the South Shore?

The City of Montréal page covers residents of the Montréal agglomeration and owners of property in the agglomeration. If that is not you, check with your own municipality or book a pickup.

What documents do I need to bring?

Photo ID and proof of address, such as a tax account or a public utility bill less than 3 months old. The full list is on the official page.

Do ecocentres take furniture and mattresses?

Yes, for residents: furniture, sofas, mattresses and box springs are accepted. Upholstered bulky items are limited to 15 visits per year except at LaSalle and Saint-Laurent, and mattresses are only recycled at Saint-Laurent.

Can you pick up what the ecocentre refuses?

It depends on the material. Some hazardous or regulated items need specialized channels. Call us with a list of your items and we will tell you honestly whether we can take them.

Need a pickup instead of a round trip?

Good Bye Junk Montréal removes bulky items in Montréal, Laval, the North Shore and the South Shore, within about 80 km, from $150. Same-day pickup is often available. Request a free quote or call +1 (514) 295-2123. Google rating: 5.0 from 128 reviews.

Sources

• City of Montréal: Take items to an ecocentre (agglomeration residents)
• City of Montréal: Ecocentres