Development of Tools to Facilitate the Collection of Organics in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
Client: RECYC-QUÉBEC
Duration: April to September 2026
SOLINOV is developing guides and calculation tools to facilitate the collection of organics in multi-unit residential buildings. This project aims to address questions that municipal organizations (e.g. cities) and building managers may have during the implementation or consolidation of organic waste collection in multi-unit buildings (more than 10 units).
Specific tools will be developed for municipal organizations on the one hand, and for owners and managers of multi-unit buildings on the other. This mandate also includes the creation of case studies on Quebec experiences, covering both municipal organizations and building managers.
Study on the Management of Organic Waste from the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (IC&I) Sectors in Quebec
Clients: RECYC-QUÉBEC and Ministry of the Environment (MELCCFP)
Duration: May 2023 to February 2024
The study conducted by SOLINOV includes a comparative analysis of jurisdictions, regional profiles, and a cost analysis. This study stems for Québec’s Organics’ Recovery Strategy, which calls for the management of organic waste from all industries, commerces, and institutions (IC&I) starting in 2025.
The first component involves comparing the specific methods of organics’ management for IC&I in three distinct regions: Scotland, California, and British Columbia. The second component aims to provide an overview of organics’ management for IC&I in various regions of Quebec. This exercise includes identifying major generators and recovery facilities.
The third component involves quantifying the potential recoverable organic waste stream. This component also covers the estimation of recovery and treatment costs for IC&I. The study conducted by SOLINOV will assist the Government of Quebec in developing regulations regarding the recovery of organics from the IC&I sectors.
Development of a 2024–2027 Action Plan for Organic Waste
Client: City of Longueuil
Duration: April to September 2023
SOLINOV developed an Action Plan for the City of Longueuil aimed at increasing the amount of organics collected in brown bins. This would enable the City to meet the recovery targets resulting from its membership in the Société mixte de l’est de la Couronne Sud (SÉMECS-Municipal corporation in charge of anaerobic digester). The Action Plan details the measures to be implemented, on a phased basis, to improve organic waste recovery performance by 2027. Additionally, the City aims to achieve the 70% organic waste recovery target set for 2030 in Quebec’s Organics’ Recovery Strategy.
By estimating the City’s organic waste stream and the average amount recovered per housing unit, SOLINOV believes it is necessary to increase the volume of organics collected from 1-8 unit buildings.
Comparative Study of Separate Collection Practices for Bio-Waste in Urban Areas: Lessons Learned from Europe and Around the World
Client: ADEME (Agency for Ecological Transition in France)
Duration: 2021–2022
In collaboration with the firm Awiplan, SOLINOV conducted a comparative study of organic waste collection and treatment in 13 cities across Europe and North America. This study made it possible to compare respective costs for collecting waste, recyclables, and organics. The comparison of the cities’ performance, in terms of the amount of organics collected per capita, led to the identification of keys to success and the formulation of recommendations.
SOLINOV recommends that municipal organizations, such as cities, provide the necessary containers for the collection of organics (kitchen bins, outdoor bins), as this has a significant positive impact on participation rates. Furthermore, reducing the frequency of garbage collection, in conjunction with the implementation of organics collection, serves as a lever for enhanced performance. Moreover, the complementary nature of the proposed solutions (door-to-door collection, drop-off centers) helps increase the volume of organic waste collected. Finally, incentive-based pricing systems should be prioritized, as they empower users and reward best practices.
Evaluation of Organic Waste Collection in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
Client: City of Laval
Duration: March to December 2022
SOLINOV conducted an evaluation of the organic waste collection service implemented on a voluntary basis for multi-unit residential buildings (50 units or more). Since just over half of the multi-unit residential buildings were participating in the service, visual assessments, interviews, and a survey of residents were conducted to identify barriers to participation in the collection of organics.
This evaluation identified factors that improve the performance of organics’ collection in multi-unit residential buildings, notably the presence of a person in charge on-site and the involvement of building managers. The study also included a comparison with the performance of other cities that have implemented organic waste collection for multi-unit residential buildings, such as Montreal, Sherbrooke, and Gatineau.
Based on these findings, SOLINOV recommended rolling out the collection of organics not only in buildings with 50 or more units, but in all multi-unit residential buildings within the City of Laval. An awareness approach is also necessary to encourage resident participation, as well as incentives, such as extending the interval between garbage collections. Additionally, pilot projects could be conducted to validate the findings regarding optimal collection methods (using containers or bins, indoor or outdoor storage, etc.).
Study on Odour Emissions Associated with Food Waste Composting
Client: RECYC-QUÉBEC and MELCC
Project Period: 2021
SOLINOV compared odours emitted by food waste contained in compostable plastic bags with those emitted by loose food waste during the first weeks of the composting process. Odour sampling measurements conducted at two composting facilities, combined with olfactometric analysis, made it possible to generate emission rates for atmospheric dispersion modelling purposes.
The physicochemical parameters considered included the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, internal temperature, oxygen content, porosity, moisture content, and pH. In addition, SOLINOV evaluated operational parameters such as the feedstock mix recipe, physical configuration, and turning frequency. Turned windrow composting and aerated static pile composting technologies were compared.
Technical Document on Food Waste Collection Tools for Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
Client: City of Montreal
Duration: 2018–2019
SOLINOV supported the City of Montreal in the implementation of its Strategy for the Rollout of Food Waste Collection in multi-unit residential buildings (8 units or fewer). The City aims to meet the requirements of the provincial Organic Waste Treatment Program through Biomethanization and Composting (‘PTMOBC’, in French). The program targets a coverage rate of 70% of occupied units. The City also supports the objectives of the Montréal Agglomeration Residual Materials Management Master Plan, which call for the future expansion of organic materials collection to residential buildings with nine or more dwelling units during a later implementation phase.
SOLINOV first identified the collection tools (containers, interior layouts, etc.) used in multi-unit residential buildings to determine their advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, case studies were conducted to evaluate organics recovery performance, based on the service model, in various cities across Quebec, elsewhere in Canada, and internationally.
This exercise led to the development of guidelines regarding the preferred collection methods for multi-unit residential buildings, taking into account their current layout (e.g., waste chutes, available space for transfer containers, etc.). Depending on the situation, recommendations range from adding transfer containers on each floor for organics to installing semi-underground containers.
Analysis of Factors Influencing Participation in Organic Waste Collection in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
Client: RECYC-QUÉBEC
Duration: 2015–2016
RECYC-QUÉBEC chose SOLINOV to identify crucial factors when deciding to implement a food waste recovery program in multi-unit residential buildings. To this end, specific cases of food waste collection implementation in multi-unit residential buildings were documented to highlight best practices and participation factors. SOLINOV also examined issues related to sorting, transfer, and collection containers suitable for multi-unit residential buildings.
For this project, 13 case studies were prepared for an equal number of municipal organizations conducting food waste collection in multi-unit residential buildings in Quebec and elsewhere. These case studies detail the technical, economic, and social constraints associated with food waste recovery in multi-unit residential buildings. In response to these constraints, SOLINOV identified solutions, including those related to the size of food waste bins, collection frequency, and awareness-raising measures.
Analysis and summary of factors to consider when implementing organic waste collection to maximize food waste recovery: Case studies of municipalities in Quebec and Ontario
Clients: RECYC-QUÉBEC
Duration: 2013–2014
The purpose of this study was to identify factors that promote participation and performance as several municipal organizations were implementing food waste collection in the residential sector. To this end, SOLINOV compared the organics recovery performance of 28 municipal organizations of varying sizes, both urban and rural. In addition to collection frequency and container types, SOLINOV paid particular attention to the awareness measures implemented by the municipal organizations. At the same time, waste collection procedures were also examined.
For this study, SOLINOV developed a calculation method to determine the portion of leaf and yard waste that, in certain municipalities, was added to food waste during collection. Additionally, in some cases, it was necessary to estimate the fraction of food waste related to businesses and institutions included in residential collections.
This assessment pooled municipal organizations into four performance groups, thereby identifying the factors that contribute to better results in food waste recovery. For example, municipal organizations that impose restrictions on disposal (such as fees and less frequent collection) collected more food waste per housing unit.
Overview of Organic Waste Streams from the Agri-Food Industry and Estimation of Edible Food Treated as Waste by Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (IC&I) Facilities in the Food Sector
Client: MELCCFP
Duration: 2012–2013
As part of this extensive survey, in which 158 businesses participated, SOLINOV compiled an inventory of food industry waste in Quebec. The calculation method used for this inventory, which is still employed in RECYC-QUÉBEC’s Inventory Tool, is offered to municipal organizations that require a more precise picture of the organics generated, recovered, and disposed of on their territory. The inventory is broken down by transformation sectors and by regions. In addition, the survey determined the quantities of edible waste sent to food banks.
SOLINOV then turned its attention to the food sector to also examine food distribution, restaurants, and accommodations. Healthcare facilities and schools were also considered. In each case, the proportion of edible food in organic waste is estimated. For several sectors, this proportion is significant and offers good potential for recovery.
