Study of Waste Streams in Five Northern Communities and Support for Circular Economy Initiatives
Client: RECYC-QUÉBEC and the Société du Plan Nord
Duration: 2025-2027
Following field visits to the communities of Chibougamau, Nemaska, Radisson, Baie-Comeau, and Havre-Saint-Pierre, SOLINOV completed the first phase of the mandate, which involved assessing the waste stream in each community. As part of the second phase, SOLINOV presented circular economy action plans to the communities.
The mandate also includes a support component for the implementation of the action plan. This component is further enhanced by thematic workshops on waste management and the circular economy, designed for the five communities and their partners.
Study on Major Waste Generators
Regional County Municipality (RCM) of Haut-Saint-Laurent
SOLINOV conducted a survey of approximately fifty institutions and businesses within the MRC to better understand their waste generation and their methods of collection, transportation, and treatment. This exercise provided an opportunity to present a portrait of waste management for seven economic sectors.
In addition, SOLINOV submitted a report with recommendations to the MRC and its municipalities as significant waste management challenges loom. These include, among other things, expanding door-to-door collection of organics to all municipalities and improving the performance of commercial and industrial actors.
Feasibility Study on Reuse
Client: City of Gatineau
Duration: October 2024 to April 2025
The feasibility study on reuse in Gatineau aims to determine conditions for the implementation of a reuse infrastructure to serve residents across the city’s five boroughs. An overview of the reuse sector was first developed through interviews with more than twenty reuse stakeholders in Gatineau, including both non-profits and businesses. Several of these stakeholders also shared their views on reuse in Gatineau during a workshop facilitated by SOLINOV.
SOLINOV then selected six case studies of reuse facilities, in Quebec and elsewhere, to compare their business models, floor space, and sales figures. The portrait of reuse and the case studies led to a recommendation regarding the location, floor space, and activities of Gatineau’s future reuse center.
Study on Opportunities for Intermunicipal Cooperation and Collection Optimization
Client: Brome-Missisquoi Regional County Municipality (RCM)
Project Period: 2024–2025
SOLINOV supported the RCM and its municipalities throughout the modernization of their curbside recycling system, beginning with the transfer of responsibility for recyclable materials management from the municipalities to the RCM. In addition, several municipalities with private collection contracts joined together to issue a shared request for proposals (RFP), with SOLINOV providing technical support throughout the procurement process.
At the same time, rising collection and transportation costs for garbage and organic materials had become a significant concern for many municipalities. SOLINOV conducted a detailed analysis of each municipality’s collection system, including waste quantities, collection frequencies, and collection route sectors. Based on this assessment, SOLINOV developed recommendations to optimize garbage and organics collection services and identified governance options to improve efficiency and long-term service delivery.
Evaluation of Transfer Scenarios, Transportation Conditions, and Support for the Authorization Application
Client: Régie intermunicipale de traitement des matières résiduelles de la Gaspésie (RITMRG-Waste management organization for two Regional County Municipalities (MRCs) in Gaspésie)
Duration: June to September 2024
This SOLINOV study aimed to develop garbage and recyclables transfer scenarios for the RITMRG. The scenarios would then be compared to the current system based on long-distance transport using multi-box containers (collection via removable “boxes,” followed by coupling the boxes to a collection truck via a trailer).
For this purpose, various potential transfer sites for recyclables were examined in Gaspé for transport to the Grande-Rivière sorting center. Similarly, SOLINOV evaluated garbage transfer sites in the MRC of Rocher-Percé for transport to the Gaspé engineered landfill. The sites were compared based on criteria such as governance, road access, opportunities for resource sharing, and social acceptability.
Based on the selected scenario, SOLINOV assisted the RITMRG with the application for authorization to build and operate the waste transfer station located in Grande-Rivière. In addition, the RITMRG relied on SOLINOV’s support to complete the declaration of compliance for the recyclables transfer station located in Gaspé. Finally, SOLINOV provided professional support during the implementation of the infrastructure.
Analysis of the feasibility of consolidating and internalizing waste collection and transport from eight municipalities
Client: MRC of Rimouski-Neigette
Duration: 2025–2026
Municipalities within the MRC de Rimouski-Neigette sought to explore various options for consolidating their waste collection services. The possibility of in-sourcing collection (i.e., having municipal employees handle it) was among the scenarios studied. The study focused specifically on the collection of garbage and organic materials, as a shared collection system for recyclable materials was already in place following the modernization of Quebec’s curbside recycling program.
For this project, SOLINOV examined various avenues for optimizing collection services, including potential improvements in organic waste recovery. Additionally, the scenarios included consolidating collection services from the eight municipalities into a single or multiple lots.
SOLINOV is currently working on preparing a call for tenders for the collection and transportation of garbage and organics from the municipalities that have joined together for this service. A framework bylaw on waste management will also be proposed to standardize collection and transportation procedures across the participating municipalities.
Action Plan to Reduce Food Waste
Development of Organic Materials Management Scenarios
Client: Minganie RCM
Project Period: 2023–2024
The Minganie RCM and its municipalities wanted to assess various scenarios for the collection and treatment of organic materials, as only garbage and recyclable materials were being collected in the territory.
SOLINOV first estimated the quantities of food waste and green waste generated in the area, as well as the recoverable quantities under each scenario. Both the residential and ICI sectors were considered, including organic waste from the seafood processing industry.
The treatment scenarios studied included turned windrow composting, in-vessel thermophilic composting, and backyard composting. SOLINOV also reviewed the applicable regulatory framework for each option. For the two selected scenarios, capital and operating costs were estimated, and available funding programs were presented.