The larvae swarming at the bottom of the compost bin provided by his municipality almost discouraged David Bélanger, who was nevertheless convinced of the merits of the operation. Disdainful, he set out to find a solution. With his spouse Véronique Gagnon, he founded the company Les services Bac-Lavé, a home washing service for compost and recycling bins, as well as garbage cans.
Posted at 4:00 p.m.
“Our goal is to help people compost, so they don’t just see the downsides,” explains Mr. Bélanger. We have to find another way to deal with our waste. From 20 to 25% of all waste per inhabitant in Quebec is organic matter. Composting, on the other hand, causes inconvenience, especially when it is hot in summer. »
An aircraft mechanic by training, he has developed a system for washing the bins in 30 seconds with non-potable water heated to 76°C, sprayed with 3000 lbs of pressure, he explains. The soap used, based on essential oils, completely natural and biodegradable, is made by a Blainville company, Arbressence. After submitting her candidacy on their behalf, Véronique Gagnon obtained one of the 70 honorary scholarships of $25,000 awarded to entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35, in January 2020. Living in Mirabel, she is one of the six winners of the Laurentians region.
The young company counts among its customers municipalities, which offer the service to their citizens. Individuals living in Montreal, in the North Crown and in the Laurentians can choose various packages.