Ville de Gatineau
Multi-unit residential buildings
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Multi-unit residential buildings
Multi-unit residential buildings

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Installation of RFID tags on containers

If you own a building and the municipal waste collection service empties your residual materials containers, you should recently have received a letter from Ville de Gatineau informing you that it has hired a firm to install self-adhesive RFID tags on waste and recycling containers at no cost to you in the next few weeks.

Quick facts:

  • It will take approximately 10 minutes to install the tags. You do not have to be there.
  • For containers located indoors, the tags will be installed on collection day, when they are outside and accessible. Gatineau may contact you for speedier access to your container(s).
  • Gatineau is responsible for reinstalling RFID tags in case they are accidentally damaged or a container is replaced.

If you have any questions, please contact us as soon as possible by submitting a 311 request online or calling 311.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is an RFID tag?
    An RFID (radio frequency identification) tag measures approximately 3 cm x 8 cm, and is a passive device, in that it does not emit any waves or radiation. Thus, it poses no risk.
  • Why install an RFID tag on containers?
    Ville de Gatineau grey bins already have this type of tag, as do some blue and brown bins. Among other things, tags like that help monitor collections and provide an exhaustive inventory of containers serviced by the municipal service.
  • Will the installation of the RFID tag affect the cost of my collection, ergo taxes?
    No. That being said, as provided in action 19 of the 2023-2029 Residual Materials Management Plan, Gatineau wants to charge a fee for trash in excess of the 120 litres per unit (collection every two weeks) for all buildings, including those with waste containers.
  • What about rented containers?
    When you return your container to the rental company, you must remove the RFID tag and notify Gatineau by submitting a 311 request online or calling 311. Gatineau will provide a new tag for your next container, as applicable.

Collection specifications

Number of Units per Building Collection Location
8 or fewer Curbside
9 to 18 Curbside or in the loading area
19 or more In the loading area

Specifications for curbside collection

Wheeled bins must be put out no earlier than 7 p.m. the day before collection day, and no later than 7 a.m. on collection day, next to the sidewalk, the curb, or the right-of-way. Collection days can be checked by entering the building address for the calendar.

Robotized collection

From now on, your bins will be emptied by a truck with a robotic arm.

To enable the robotic arm to properly empty your bins, make sure that:

  • you use only the designated bins (see below)
  • the wheels are facing your building
  • there is a 60 cm clearance on either side of each bin, and there are no obstacles in front of them
  • the lids are completely closed, with no overflow and nothing on the lid that could fall on the ground when the bin is lifted by the robotized arm
  • the anti-rodent latch is released

Accepted collection methods

Ville de Gatineau wheeled bins (brown, blue and grey bins)

European model* wheeled bins (in a color other than blue) identified by a “V” for “vert” (for yard waste)

Ville de Gatineau labels for overflow garbage bags

These bags must be placed next to the street along with the grey bin, to be collected the day after the general collection day by another truck.

Refused collection method

Trash cans

Bagged leaves

American model* wheeled bins

Boxes

Branches and other excess trash next to the bins

Recycling bags

* What is the difference between a European model and an American model bin?

There isn't enough space curbside for all my bins if I follow the instructions for the robotized collection. What should I do?

Use whatever space you have on your property, including your driveway or the lawn, as long as you meet the requirements for robotized collection (for instance, no car or other obstacle blocking access to the bins by the robotized arm).

In the case of multi-unit residential buildings that have several bins to be emptied at the same time, if there isn't enough space curbside, including the driveway, to meet the 60 cm spacing required between bins, the owner can submit a request or call 311 so staff can assess the situation.

Specifications for loading area collection

For loading area collection, there is no need to wheel the containers or bins to the road. However, these must be accessible (for example no vehicles blocking the way).

For information about the collection schedule, the building manager or owner of a multi-unit residential building with a container can submit a request or call 311.

Collection volumes

By-law 839-2018 specifies that the owner of a residential or multi-unit building must provide occupants with containers large enough to store recyclables and compostables between collections.

Minimum storage volume for recyclables between collections

Number of units per building Type of authorized container Minimum volume for storage of recyclables between collections (in litres/unit/week)
Bin - up to 360 litres Container
1 or 2 Yes No 180
3 to 8 Yes No 150
9 to 24 Yes Yes 120
25 to 99 No Yes 90
100 or more No Yes 60

Minimum storage volume for compostables between collections

Number of units per building Type of authorized container Minimum volume for storage of compostables between collections (in litres/unit/week)
Bin – up to 240 litres Container
1 or 2 Yes No 80
3 to 8 Yes No 15
9 to 24 Yes No 5
25 to 99 Yes No 5
100 or more Yes No 5

Maximum acceptable volume for household trash collection

The maximum permitted volume of household trash per unit per two week is 120 litres.

Maintenance and storage of wheeled bins

Buildings with curbside collection: Between collections, wheeled bins must be stored in the building's loading area.

Buildings with loading area collection: Wheeled bins must be stored in the building's loading area, next to the household trash container.

The property owner is responsible for maintaining the wheeled bins.

Ordering bins and containers

Blue and brown bins (or recycling containers in the case of buildings with 9 or more units) can be ordered by filling out a request or calling 311. Bins are provided free of charge.

Brown bins are delivered with one kitchen mini-bin for each building unit. Mini-bins are used to transfer compostables to the common wheeled bins located outside the building. The bins are delivered along with instructions for sorting trash. To help occupants compost and sort properly, you can call 311 to arrange for free door-to-door information or training sessions.

If you would like to purchase containers other than those provided by Gatineau, contact the Service de l'eau et des matières résiduelles at pgmr@gatineau.ca ahead of time to ensure that they are approved by Ville de Gatineau.

New constructions

For any questions about the waste management of a new construction, submit a request or call 311.

You can write to pgmr@gatineau.ca for trash collection requirements in new residential buildings.

Subsidy for compartmentalized containers

To help property owners limit space requirements, Gatineau offers a subsidy to purchase or rent a compartmentalized container (40% trash and 60% recycling). The subsidy amounts to a maximum of 60% of the cost of purchasing* or renting (minimum five-year contract) a compartmentalized container (taxes included).

To take advantage of this subsidy send the following information to pgmr@gatineau.ca:

  • the original purchase invoice or rental contract; and
  • a proof of residence.

Only one compartmentalized container per building can qualify for the subsidy.

* The maximum subsidy is equivalent to the cost of purchasing a 6 cubic yard recycling container under the contract in effect at the time of the request.

Additional household trash collections from loading areas

Household trash is collected every two weeks for multi-unit residential buildings with collection from loading areas. The property owner or manager can request recurrent or one-time additional collections, subject to the fee specified in the by-law.

A one-time additional collection corresponds to a collection of household trash from the loading area due to an exceptional overflow.

Fees for one-time or recurrent additional collections (subject to change, non-taxable)

Container Volume** Fee per Additional Collection (per container)
2 cubic yards $45
4 cubic yards $60
6 cubic yards $75
8 cubic yards $90

** For buildings with collection from a loading area, using wheeled bins, call 311 to arrange for additional collections.

Requesting an additional collection

Only a property owner, a member of the condominium board, or the property manager can request a recurrent or one-time additional collection by calling 311.

For a one-time additional collection, the request can be made by filling out the following form.

One-time additional collection request form

Upon receipt and confirmation of a request for a one-time additional collection, Gatineau will arrange to have the collection done as soon as possible, hopefully on the date requested by the property owner or manager.

DTRITUS

     

About Gatineau

Recognized for its quality of life, Gatineau is a city of 292,000 inhabitants. It is located on the north shore of the Ottawa River, and extends east and west of the Gatineau River.

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