City administration seeks approval for Material Recovery Centre expansion project
On Tuesday, June 9, City Administration will present an approval report to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services (EU&CS) to expand services at the City’s Material Recovery Centre (MRC).
Through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan will contribute funding for the project, which includes establishing a permanent facility for household hazardous waste (HHW) drop-off as well as the acquisition of new equipment and roll-off bins.
“The Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) supports the development of the essential water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste infrastructure needed to build more homes, faster,” said the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development. “Investments like these support our government’s goal of addressing the housing crisis head-on by helping cities like Saskatoon grow the way they need to.”
“The Government of Saskatchewan strongly believes in the importance of infrastructure to help grow and build a stronger province,” said the Honourable Eric Schmalz, Minister of Government Relations. “The funding for this project is an important next step for the city, with our government looking forward to its completion and providing a permanent option for residents to dispose of household waste.”
“This investment makes a real difference for our community,” said Mayor Cynthia Block. “A permanent household hazardous waste facility will help residents safely dispose of materials year‑round, while protecting workers, neighbourhoods and our environment. We’re proud to work with our federal and provincial partners to deliver infrastructure that supports a healthier, more sustainable Saskatoon.”
“We’re very pleased to receive this funding from the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water & Waste Operations. “A permanent HHW facility, along with new equipment and roll-off bins, will better serve residents as our city grows. These investments will improve how we safely manage waste while supporting our long-term waste diversion goals.”
Through CHIF, the Material Recovery Centre Expansion Project was approved for $4,925,508 in eligible costs, of which $3,611,875 is funded by federal and provincial partners. The remaining $1,313,633 will be funded through existing City capital sources, with no new capital funding required. If approved, the HHW facility could be operational in 2027.
Participation in the City’s seasonal HHW drop-off program has grown steadily since its introduction, with depot visits increasing from 2,257 in 2024 to 2,715 in 2025 – a 20 per cent year‑over‑year increase – and total material collected rising from 60.33 tonnes to 69.88 tonnes. This trend demonstrates strong public demand despite the program’s limited, once‑weekly seasonal schedule. To better meet this demand and support overall growth at the MRC, the proposed expansion includes both a permanent, enclosed HHW facility and new equipment. Together, these investments will enable year-round HHW collection, improve site operations and material handling, and enhance the safe management of hazardous and bulky waste, reducing risks such as fires, chemical reactions, and worker exposure.
To learn more about the Material Recovery Centre, visit saskatoon.ca/mrc.