LAST COMPOST SALE OF 2014 IS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
The last Compost Sale Saturday of the 2014 season will be on September 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Residents can come to the City of Saskatoon’s Compost Depot on Highway 7 and 11th Street to purchase compost and mulch (woodchips) for their lawn and gardens. Payment methods include cash, credit card or debit.
The cost is $5 per bag for a 20L (5 gallon) bag of compost or a 40L (10 gallon) bag of mulch. There is no limit to the number of bags a resident may purchase. Residents may also bring their own containers.
Compost and mulch are also available in bulk volumes of ½ yard, 1 yard, 1.5 yard, and 2 yard quantities. Larger volumes can be loaded into a pickup truck or small trailer. Bulk compost will be sold at the price of $65 per cubic meter ($50 per yard) and bulk mulch at $26 per cubic meter ($20 per yard).
Since 2006, the City of Saskatoon has been accepting leaves, grass, non-elm tree and shrub branches, and garden waste at the McOrmond Drive and the Highway 7 compost depots. This material would otherwise end up in the landfill.
“In 2013, 21,500 tonnes of material was delivered to these compost depots, and about 13,500 tonnes, or 63% of that, was delivered by residents or brought in through the Green Cart program,” says Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental and Corporate Initiatives. “The sale of compost supports our city’s long-term strategy to eliminate the need for a new landfill and to increase revenue sources.”
Compost is valuable, ready-to-use organic matter that can be added to garden soil or lawns. It acts as a natural fertilizer, improves soil structure, increases water retention, and boosts the amount of good microbes found in the soil. Mulch (e.g. woodchips) can be layered on top of the soil around flowers, vegetables, trees and shrubs to suppress weeds, retain moisture in the soil, and help protect plants from fluctuating temperatures and extreme weather.
Adding compost and mulch to your yard will help you build a healthy lawn and garden that is resistant to pests, conserves water, and does not require additional fertilizer.
For more information on Compost Sale Saturdays, visit www.saskatoon.ca and click on “C” for Composting.
For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.
Additional Information
The City of Saskatoon provides a number of other composting services for residents:
Compost Bin Rebates:
The City of Saskatoon has a limited number of $20 rebates available to Saskatoon residents who purchase a compost bin or rain barrel from a Saskatoon retailer in 2014. For more information, visit http://www.saskwastereduction.ca/rebate-form.
Master Composter Home Visits:
The City supported the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council’s Master Composter training again in 2014. These Master Composters offer free home visits to residents who have questions or would like to start a compost of their own. Contact (306) 931-3242 or info@saskwastereduction.ca for details.
Winter Composting Presentation:
Residents are invited to a composting presentation to learn how to compost through the winter months.
Date: Wednesday, October 1
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Frances Morrison Library
Presented in partnership with the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council.
Compost Depots:
Residents are encouraged to take their leaves, grass, sod, topsoil, and non-elm branches, stumps and tree trimmings to the City’s compost depots free of charge.
Since 2006, the compost depots have generated more than 16,000 cubic metres of Class A compost. This has increased landfill diversion by nearly 15% over the last seven years and saved the Saskatoon Landfill approximately 400,000 cubic metres of airspace. Composting the 21,500 tonnes of materials accepted at the Compost Depots in 2013 instead of taking it to the landfill reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 5,000 tonnes CO2e, or the equivalent of removing 1,050 passenger vehicles from our roadways.
Be Water Wise:
The City of Saskatoon is committed to ensuring good stewardship of our water resources. Using compost and mulch conserves water and keeps our lawns and gardens healthy. For details and water conservation tips, visit www.saskatoon.ca and click on “B” for “Be Water Wise.”
Greet Cart Collection Program:
The Green Cart Collection Program was expanded in 2014 and services over 3900 households, up from 2744 in 2013. Service includes bi-weekly pickup of unbagged leaves, grass clippings, and non-woody yard vegetation. The program runs from the beginning of May to the beginning of November.
Food Waste Collection Program:
The City is examining options and next steps for developing a food-waste collection program for residents. For more information, visit www.saskatoon.ca for the Public Agenda - Standing Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services for September 15, 2014 - Report on Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction, Attachment 3, page 1.