Petition to the Ville de Montréal and affected borough administrations

We, the residents of Montréal, are asking the Ville de Montréal to reconsider the expansion of biweekly household garbage collection and to maintain a practical, sanitary and reliable waste collection schedule.

We support recycling, composting and responsible waste reduction. But environmental goals should not come at the expense of public health, neighbourhood cleanliness and residents’ quality of life.

Starting in November 2026, additional Montréal boroughs and sectors are expected to move to garbage collection once every two weeks, including Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Pierrefonds-Roxboro, L’Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève and a sector of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension.

Why we oppose biweekly garbage collection:

1. Sanitation and odours
Keeping household garbage for up to 14 days can create strong smells, bacterial growth and unsanitary conditions, especially during hot and humid Montréal summers.

2. Rats, raccoons and insects
Garbage stored for longer periods can attract rodents, raccoons, flies, wasps and other pests, increasing the risk of torn bags and garbage being scattered through residential streets.

3. Not every household produces the same amount of waste
Large families, households with children, seniors, pets and other specific needs may generate significantly more unavoidable household waste.

A one-size-fits-all policy does not reflect the reality of every household.

4. Limited bin and storage capacity
Many residents do not have enough space to safely store two weeks of garbage. Overflowing bins can result in bags being left beside containers, in garages or around residential properties.

5. Montréal summers make two-week storage especially problematic
Food waste decomposes quickly in warm weather. Leaving garbage outside for up to two weeks can create unnecessary sanitation and quality-of-life issues.

6. Less collection may mean more litter
When bins are full, some garbage may end up beside containers, in public garbage cans or in other inappropriate locations.

Reducing collection should not result in dirtier neighbourhoods.

7. Recycling must remain practical as well
Cardboard, containers and packaging can quickly fill recycling bins. Residents should not be discouraged from recycling simply because there is no room left in their containers.

8. Montréal neighbourhoods are not all the same
Housing density, family size, property size and available storage vary widely across the city.

Waste collection policies should reflect these differences instead of applying the same solution everywhere.

9. Garbage collection is an essential municipal service
Residents pay municipal taxes and expect essential services to remain reliable and adequate.

A major reduction in collection frequency should only happen after transparent consultation and clear evidence that it will not negatively affect residents.

We are asking the Ville de Montréal to:

Maintain weekly household garbage collection
Maintain an adequate and practical recycling collection schedule
Hold meaningful public consultations with affected residents
Publish the data and analysis supporting the move to biweekly collection
Consider the needs of larger households and residents producing higher volumes of unavoidable waste
Explore alternative ways to reduce waste without reducing essential collection services
Review the real impact of pilot programs before expanding biweekly collection further
Our message is simple:

We support recycling.
We support composting.
We support reducing waste.
But household garbage should not sit at our homes for two weeks.

Clean neighbourhoods and responsible environmental policies should go hand in hand.

By signing this petition, we are asking the Ville de Montréal to reconsider biweekly garbage collection and keep weekly pickup for Montréal residents.