News Releases

On January 13, the Administration will present options for requirements for recycling and organics for the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) sector to the Standing Policy Committee of Environment, Utilities, and Corporate Services. The Administration is recommending that the ICI sector be required to have separate containers for garbage and recycling and, if food or yard waste is generated as part of operations, a separate container for organics. Implementing this approach will involve an amendment to the Waste Bylaw (No. 8310).

“A more comprehensive organics and recycling program is critical to achieving our waste diversion goals and extending the life of our landfill,” says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability. “This cannot fall only on residents; Saskatoon businesses and organizations must participate when it comes to waste diversion and environmental leadership.”

The ICI sector generates 68% of all garbage sent to Saskatoon and area landfills, with approximately 45% (75,800 tonnes) representing recyclables or organics that could be diverted.

“24% of what is landfilled by the City is from the ICI sector, which represents a significant diversion opportunity that can’t be ignored,” adds South.

Option 1, being recommended by the Administration comes with the following requirements from members of the ICI sector:

• Separate and labelled containers for recycling and garbage
• A separate container for organics if food or yard waste is generated as part of operations
• Education on how to properly sort and store materials for employees and tenants
• Ensuring removal and proper disposal of waste

To support this priority, the Administration engaged with 870 participants from businesses and organizations through workshops, online surveys, and face-to-face meetings.

The 2019 ICI Waste and Recycling Survey and the 2019 Waste and Recycling Survey (residential) revealed high levels of support from residents, businesses and organizations for the implementation of recycling and organics requirements for the ICI sector.

 “The recommended option comes at a lower cost than the others, and has been successfully implemented in other municipalities,” says South. “It will give us the best chance of meeting residents’ expectations of the ICI sector and achieving our waste diversion goals.”

Option 1 was the most preferred mandatory approach by stakeholders. The Waste Diversion Options Fact Sheet provides a more detailed comparison of the options presented.

The Admin Report and all attachments can be found here.

For more information, please visit saskatoon.ca/yxetalkstrash or saskatoon.ca/wastediversion.

No defendant has filed an appeal in the Ontario case involving $1.04 M in stolen City funds directed to a fraudster’s bank account in August. 

“All the money stolen in the fraud scheme is now back in the City’s hands,” says Acting City Solicitor Christine Bogad.  “The passing of this deadline brings the case to a close.”

Last month an Ontario Superior Court Justice ordered the return of $345 thousand in City money fraudulently obtained in August. The majority of the stolen money had already been returned. 

The remaining $345 thousand had been the subject of court hearings in Toronto where three parties claimed they had been unwitting victims of the fraud scheme.

Justice Michael A. Penny found none of the remaining defendants provided enough evidence to require a trial.

Each defendant had a 30 day window to appeal, which closed yesterday.

View related news releases on this matter on saskatoon.ca.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

MCORMOND DR EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM WANUSKEWIN RD TO CENTRAL AVE
(Streetlight repairs)
Start: December 24, 9:30 a.m. End: December 24, 1:30 p.m.


ONGOING

TAYLOR ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM LANSDOWNE AVE TO ALBERT AVE
(Valve replacement)
Start: December 23, 8:00 a.m. End: December 24, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE NB RIGHT TURN LANE CLOSED FROM KONIHOWSKI RD TO GARVIE RD
(Water main & roadway construction)
Start: December 12, 8:00 a.m. End: December 24, 5:00 p.m.
 

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

Local, non-profit organizations have the opportunity to apply for a grant to implement initiatives supporting the City’s strategic goal of Environmental Leadership, there is $44,000 available in 2020.

Funding will be prioritized for initiatives that:

• Generally relate to the City’s goal of Environmental Leadership ($14,000);
• Increase awareness and protection of our water resources ($10,000);
• Reduce the amount of waste going to landfills ($10,000); and
• Encourage active transportation ($10,000). 

Applications will be accepted until February 15, 2020.

For more information on the City’s Environmental Grant, including eligibility requirements, visit: saskatoon.ca/envirogrant.

The City of Saskatoon has just launched its new Recycle Better in your Ugly Sweater campaign that encourages residents to keep waste reduction and diversion top of mind during the holiday season.

“Gifts, wrapping material, decorations, celebrations, and festive feasts can all result in a significant amount of waste over the holiday season, so we have to find opportunities to cut down on that waste and to effectively divert it from our landfill,” says Amber Weckworth, Education and Environmental Performance Manager, Utilities & Environment. “Our effort is to educate residents about all the ways they can cut down on their holiday waste in a fun and festive way.”

Here are some of the tips that the City will be promoting over the course of the campaign:

• Make memories by giving experiences over things
• Make homemade gifts out of old reusable material
• Regift old or unused items that might still bring joy to others
• Reuse or pass down your old decorations
• Skip the fancy wrapping and reuse paper, ribbons, bows, and bags
• Wrap gifts with newsprint and other unique material
• Reduce food waste by planning meals efficiently
• Take large or excess recycling to a City Recycling Depot, but please don’t overfill them
• Recycle your live Christmas Tree at a City drop-off site from December 26 to January 31
• Get the ‘how-to’ on holiday waste diversion by asking the Waste Wizard

Residents are also reminded of the following important waste information over the holiday season:

• Don’t miss pick-up day!
  • Check your Collection Calendar or download the Saskatoon Recycle & Waste app and never miss pick-up day again
  • Holiday Collections Reminder: December 25 garbage and recycling collections will happen on December 28. January 1 collections will happen on January 4
• Spread some joy by helping your neighbours roll out their carts
• The City Landfill will be closed December 25 and January 1
• Cut down on emissions by carpooling with friends and family, or get your ‘shop on’ and hop on the Jingle Bell Express for quick access to all the malls in Saskatoon

For more information and tips on holiday waste reduction and diversion visit saskatoon.ca/holidayrecycling.