Donation bins are used to collect clothes and other second-hand items for reuse or recycling.

Authorized donation bins

Requirements

Only non-profit organizations with a head office or an establishment in Gatineau may have a donation bin in Gatineau.

A permit must be obtained from Ville de Gatineau for each location. Up to three bins may be set up in a given location. No permit is required if the bin is located on the property where the organization is carrying out its activities. There is a one-time fee of $62 for each permit.

A non-profit organization is defined as follows: “A legal person or associations constituted by letters patent in accordance with Part III of the Companies Act.” Social housing cooperatives are considered non-profit organizations.

To obtain an operating permit

Every location (or property) requires a separate permit. Thus a permit application is required for each location sought.

How to apply:

1. Prepare the required documents:
   • the resolution by the Board of Directors of the non-profit organization authorizing the submission of the permit application;
   • a copy of the organization's letters patent;
   • authorization in writing from the owner of the property in question in the application;
   • the data sheet for the donation bin(s), including the serial number(s);
   • a scale plan showing where the donation bin(s) will be placed on the property in question; and
   • proof of liability insurance for the organization, with minimum coverage of $1,000,000.
2. Fill out the application form online (you can attach your documents). Alternatively, you can download the application form (PDF), print it and fill it out.
3. If the required form and documents have not been submitted online, send them:
   • by email to: pgmr@gatineau.ca; or
   • by mail to:
     Service de l'environnement
     Plan de gestion des matières résiduelles – Boîtes de dons
     PO BOX 1970, STN Hull
     Gatineau, Quebec  J8X 3Y9
4. Ville de Gatineau will send the organization an invoice according to the number of permit applications received.
5. Payment may be made:
   • by mail to the above address; or
   • in person at one of the service centres. The payment options are cash, debit card, Visa and MasterCard.

The application will be reviewed as soon as all of the required documents have been submitted and the fees have been paid. The fees are non-refundable.

Installation of the donation boxes

Once the permit has been received, the organization can install its donation bin(s). The following information must be visible and legible at all times on each bin:

• name and telephone number of the non-profit organization; and
• permit or permit number issued by Ville de Gatineau.

A permit will lapse if a donation bin has not been installed within four months after the permit is issued.

Duration and renewal of the permit

The permit is valid for one year after the date it is issued. To renew your permit at no cost, submit the following documents 30 days before the current permit expires:

• proof of renewal of the liability insurance policy;
• a statement of the volume of donations collected, broken down by type, for the permit period;
• details on how the donated items were used;
• the organization's financial or activity reports, explaining how the profits from the reuse or recovery of the donated items were used;
• identification of the clients who benefited from the items collected in the donation bins or of the benefits gained from their reuse or recovery; and
• authorization in writing from the owner of the property in question in the renewal application.

The documents must be sent by email to pgmr@gatineau.ca. If the documents are not provided, the permit will lapse.

Frequently asked questions

For additional information

For information about the by-laws concerning donation bins, consult (in French only) Règlement 839-2018 relatif à la gestion des matières résiduelles.

For questions or comments about donation bins or permit applications, make a request or call 311.

DTRITUS