Elected officials in Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce set to vote on a grant program for sustainable hygiene products

MONTRÉAL, Aug. 30, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - At the borough council meeting on September 4, 2018, elected officials in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce will vote on whether to adopt one of Québec's most ambitious ecological grant programs covering the purchase and rental of sustainable washable diapers and feminine hygiene products.

This two-year pilot project is intended to encourage families to reduce their environmental footprint stemming from the consumption of personal hygiene products. The program includes a special component aimed at offering an additional grant to low-income families. The amounts reimbursed to borough residents would thus be adjusted based on family income. An annual budget of $30,000 was allotted under the pilot project, which is set to start in mid-October 2018.

Citizens will be reimbursed for the purchase or rental of fabric diapers or the cost of making them, and for the purchase or cost of fabric used to make washable sanitary napkins, menstrual cups, washable menstrual underwear or sponges. Borough residents who meet the eligibility criteria for the grant program may apply for reimbursement to the SOCENV, the Éco-Quartier Notre-Dame-de-Grâce or the Accès Montréal offices.

"In just a couple of years, a baby will soil up to a ton of disposable diapers that take between 200 and 500 years to break down. Given the garbage crisis we face, it's imperative to encourage all families, not just the wealthier ones, to opt for reusable products. Our borough is going even further by subsidizing reusable diapers as well as menstrual products, which add about 125 Kg per person to the garbage dumps. This is a smart move, at zero cost, that will be beneficial for all." explains Sue Montgomery, mayor of the borough.

"I'm proud to propose the creation of a grant program for washable diapers that's received support from my colleagues. This program will encourage families to adopt ecologically responsible behaviours while reducing the number of disposable diapers that wind up in the municipal waste collection. This program is especially innovative in that allocates an additional amount to low-income families—which account for a significant constituency in CDN-NDG. As well, we've broadened the program's scope to include sustainable feminine hygiene products. CDN-NDG continues to pair quality of life with sustainable development for families," says Lionel Perez, city councillor, district of Darlington.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Arrondissement de Côte-des-Neiges - Notre-Dame-de-Grâce