City of Saskatoon unveils plan to divert up to 70 per cent of garbage from landfill

Saskatoon is unveiling a long-term waste diversion plan that looks to take a bite out of the garbage that shouldn’t end up in the landfill.

The plan will be introduced to councillors at a committee meeting next week.

It outlines the city’s goal to divert 70 per cent of Saskatoon’s garbage away from the landfill by as early as 2030.

The city currently diverts 24 per cent of its garbage from the landfill. The national average is 45 per cent.

Jeanna South, the city’s director of sustainability, said Saskatoon could increase the diversion rate to anywhere from 41 to 54 per cent in the next two years.

“What we see in the plan is a roadmap of actions needed to achieve this 70 per cent waste diversion target that was set for Saskatoon’s landfill,” she said.

Council set a target goal of diverting 70 per cent of Saskatoon’s garbage in 2015.

Some immediate goals outlined in the plan include the Recovery Park program — a recycling and waste facility expected to open in 2023 — along with curbside organics recycling and recycling requirements for businesses.

South estimated the current landfill’s lifecycle could be extended by 40 to 50 years if diversion targets are met.

Some of the initiatives between 2021 and 2023 include business and organization waste diversion compliance, a review of the composting depot program and more construction and demolition waste diversion.

From 2023 to 2025, the medium-term plans show a specialty/bulk waste program, a food waste reduction program and a waste management sustainability plan.

In the long term beyond 2026, the report cites a clothing or textile recycling program, a share, use and repair program and some economic incentives.

The plans are expected to be reviewed and refreshed regularly, to add or make any changes necessary. According to the report: “The 24 actions in the plan are projected to divert an additional 9,300 to 24,200 tonnes of material from the City’s landfill, contributing between 10% to 25% diversion towards the 70% waste diversion target.”

Councillors are to see the report Monday at a standing policy committee meeting.