As it turns out, recycling is not recession-proof.
At the St. Michel Environmental complex, tones of recycling material from Montreal's green bins are piling up.
A private company, Groupe Tiru, sorts and sells the paper, glass and metals on the international market. In the past year those materials have decreased in value, making them difficult to sell.
The paper, glass and steel that once fetched a handsome price is now parked, with the city's OK to stock what it cannot sell.
However, with the site becoming increasingly full, the city is looking to the complex and the contractor for reassurance that this is only a temporary solution.
"We also want a plan of action from them as to how they're planning to deal with this inventory that they've got stocked up," said Alan de Sousa, city councilor and executive committee member responsible for sustainable development.
At least one Montrealer was reconsidering his green bin.
"Might as well burn [the recyclables] then," he said.
This is something the city would rather citizens not even think about.
"We've invested years of time and effort to make sure that our citizens are on board, and clearly we've got every expectation that these efforts should continue," said DeSouza.
The city has asked the province for subsidies. Word on those is expected by the end of next week.
