Quebec’s recycling is now in the hands of producers. Can they fix a broken system? [Video]

Near the eastern tip of the island, a dump truck backs into Montreal’s newest recycling sorting centre and unloads reams of paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, tins — and anything else people have put in their blue bins.

From there, the mass of material is loaded onto conveyor belts, then through a series of optical sorters that use sensors, magnets and blowers to separate the items by type.

Nearly the entire process is automated — only about 20 people help with sorting the material, said Carl D’Astous, director of special projects with Matrec-GFL, which built and operates the facility.

The centre, billed as one of the most technologically advanced in North America, was opened at the start of 2025.

Recyclables picked up in the west side of Montreal will still go to the sorting centre in Lachine.

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