SASKATOON – There are changes coming to the way the city collects garbage and recycling and it will affect almost every neighbourhood in Saskatoon.
“Almost every neighbourhood will have a new day for at least one program starting January 4,” said Brenda Wallace, the city’s director of environmental and corporate initiatives (see the chart at the end of this story for the new collection days).
According to Wallace, the new system will not only improve service levels, it will help lower costs and reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
“We’re so pleased to introduce new collection routes and take a bold step toward our vision of a highly efficient and effective waste management system,” said Wallace.
The changes come after city officials collected real-time data over the past several months so they could optimize routes and schedules that are designed to allow trucks to move efficiently through the city.
The new system will track where a garbage truck is on route and confirm when garbage is collected. It will also identify if a pickup is missed before the garbage truck leaves a neighbourhood.
READ MORE: Saskatoon city council approves 3.96% 2016 property tax hike
While there is no location change for front-street or back lane collections, Wallace is asking everyone to help out with implementing the new collection dates.
“We encourage people to help their neighbours catch on to the new collection days for black and blue carts by reminding them if they don’t have their cart out, and by rolling out a cart for someone with physical challenges.”
Officials said increased waste collection efficiency supports the city’s strategic goal of asset and financial sustainability.
Comments