What do reusable hygiene products, grounds care, seeds and bicycles have in common? These purchases can all be worth a subsidy to residents of the municipality of Drummondville. The elected officials of this Centre-du-Québec agglomeration are innovating by launching the new Green Gestures program, which puts money directly into the pockets of taxpayers.
“At home, we have a lot to do to raise awareness among the population. Our territory is very large, we can say that we are the kingdom of the pick-up. With this program, we are telling our citizens that they have power on these three axes, that they have eco-responsible choices,” explained the mayor of Drummondville, Stéphanie Lacoste, during an interview with The Press.
The first Green Gestures envelope is allocated a sum of $15,000.
To benefit from this, Drummondvilloises must register online and provide proof of residence, then an invoice. They can claim 50% of eligible expenses, up to $150 per category. But if the products are purchased from a local business, the amount jumps to $200. Management of the fund was entrusted to the Regional Environmental Council of Centre-du-Québec (CRECQ). On a first come, first served basis.
PHOTO GETTY IMAGES
The so-called green subsidies aim, among other things, to convince people to swap old gasoline mowers for manual roller machines, or even electric ones.
The aim of so-called green subsidies is to convince people to travel by bicycle, traditional or electric, when possible. And to swap old gasoline mowers for manual roller machines, or even electric ones. When it comes to reusable hygienic products, the municipal administration is not limited to washable diapers for babies. It also targets reusable feminine hygiene products for the menstrual cycle and reusable panties to protect against incontinence.
Mayor Lacoste is aware that there is reluctance in this regard, but she believes that it is worth raising people’s awareness. To raise awareness among women and the elderly, those most affected by incontinence.
“Personally, I have sons, so I feel less concerned. But I have friends who have daughters who use washable panties for menstrual cycles. It’s a step in the right direction to try it with the grant. We must overcome prejudices. »
Barely a week after the official launch of the program, on April 23, 230 grant applications had been registered with the CRECQ. Marie-Claude Lavigne, director of communications for the Council, says that half of the requests received are for the purchase of a bicycle. A significant portion goes to purchases for land maintenance, including mowers and seeds; the rest goes to reusable baby diapers.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, ARCHIVES SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Stéphanie Lacoste, mayor of Drummondville
This green program is different from the others since we ask citizens to act. It is an incentive that will create citizen engagement.
Stéphanie Lacoste, mayor of Drummondville
In Drummondville, this is not the first green innovation in the agglomeration, the fourteenth in Quebec in terms of population, with nearly 83,000 residents. Last year, the municipality tested stopping lawn mowing, notably by sowing clover, a native species, in nine control areas. An experience which is becoming popular this year with citizens, and which aims to reduce grassy monocultures to encourage pollinators.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
In Drummondville, the City tested stopping mowing last year in nine “integration zones”, where it sowed different native species, including clover.
Chris Barrington-Leigh is an associate professor at the Institute for Health and Social Policy at McGill University and the School of the Environment. He has already been called upon to take a critical look at Quebec’s 6.7 billion green plan over five years, and on certain measures, including stopping the sale of new gasoline vehicles. According to him, we need to ask ourselves questions about “flashy subsidies”.
In the case of the Centre-du-Québec municipality’s program, he believes that people who have already changed their behavior to preserve the environment will join it. The others may ignore it. It’s the principle of the stick (constraints) and the carrot (incentives), he recalls.
“One might wonder who has the time to save, collect and submit their receipts. Are they the privileged people of society? I believe that it is those whose behavior is already aligned with the environment who will benefit. There should also be a price incentive, by selling less eco-responsible options on store shelves at a higher price. »
At the table of Drummondville elected officials, we intend to draw up an assessment of the program when the envelope is empty. It cannot be ruled out that other funds will be released to encourage this type of purchase. The mayor points out that the 100% biodegradable toothbrush company OLA Bamboo is an incubator in the industrial district of her city.
“It is entirely possible to buy local,” she emphasizes.
In addition to the Green Gestures program, the City has adopted a 2023-2033 Climate Change Adaptation Plan, a 2021-2031 Natural Environment Conservation Plan and a 2020-2040 Sustainable Mobility Plan .
Visit the Daily Green Gestures page