Implementing mandatory composting for Saskatoon residents has the greatest opportunity for single-family households to address the city’s landfill woes.
During a study, 58 per cent of the waste sampled in Saskatoon’s residential black carts was organic waste, according to Toronto-based firm, Dillon Consulting.
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The group was tasked with finding the most impactful and suitable ways to divert waste from the Saskatoon landfill.
The consultant’s findings were compiled in a report that went before the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee on Thursday.
“The only way we’re going to get to a point where we actually reach our target around waste diversion is by adopting something like a mandatory composting program for the entire city for all residential households,” said committee member David McGrane.
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The city’s current green cart organics collection program is capped at 8,000 subscribers.
The report also notes industrial, commercial and institutional waste creators make up two-thirds of the city’s refuse, while residences are responsible for the remainder.
The City of Saskatoon has set a goal of diverting 70 per cent of its waste from the landfill by 2023.
Not meeting diversion targets has already shortened the landfill’s lifespan and it would cost $26 million to shut it down, not including the cost to open a new one.
City staff are now preparing two discussion papers, delving into possible composting programs, ways to charge for waste like a utility and addressing the city’s role in handling non-residential waste.
The papers will be up for consideration in August.
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