CITY REVIEWS ORGANICS & BACK LANE GARBAGE/RECYCLING COLLECTION
The October 14, 2014 meeting of the Standing Policy Committee (SPC) for Environment, Utilities & Corporate Services will receive two separate reports from the Administration regarding waste collection service in Saskatoon.
“Environmental Leadership is one of our Strategic Goals,” says Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental & Corporate Initiatives. “These reports launch the next step forward in the conversation about sustainable and efficient waste collection for our citizens.”
“Services reviewed in these reports are intended to meet citizen expectations for convenience, without trading off affordability. By improving current service and introducing new services, we seek to save taxpayers money today and over the long term.”
In one report, the Administration presents options for an organics collection program for homes. The City plans to engage with citizens later this year to share information, answer questions and collect feedback on three options:
*Option 1 – A Co-mingled Subscription Program that allows residents to volunteer for year-round collection of food and yard waste by paying monthly fees. Fees may range from $13 to $25 per month.
*Option 2 – A Comprehensive Food Waste and Subscription Yard Waste Program which would provide every resident with a small cart for year-round food waste collection. Residents may also volunteer for seasonal yard waste collections on a fee for service basis. Fees for each service may be under $10 per month.
*Option 3 – A Comprehensive Co-mingled Program that provides every resident with a large cart for year-round food and yard waste collection. Fees for this inclusive program may be in the $12 per month range.
A report on the results of public engagement for a residential organics program will be presented to City Council in March 2015.
The other report the SPC will consider outlines the Service Review of waste handling already underway and identifies opportunities to address issues and reduce costs. Potential cost savings identified for further study, include:
*Frequency of garbage collections – consider reducing the number of months with weekly collections.
*Landfill operating hours – the City’s landfill is currently open 363 days/year.
*Back lane collection of garbage and recycling – issues identified include lost productivity due to slower collections, safety and damage to back lanes.
The Waste Handling Service Review will include public information and engagement. Recommendations on potential cost savings will be presented to City Council in March 2015.
The initiatives described in these reports support the long-term strategy to eliminate the need for a new landfill under the Strategic Goal of Environmental Leadership, and the long-term strategy to increase productivity by being more efficient in the way we do business under the Strategic Goal of Continuous Improvement.
To view the reports, visit the City’s website at Saskatoon.ca, search “Agendas and Reports” and click on the 2014 SPC on Environment, Utilities & Corporate Services for October 14.
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