How Can Saskatoon Citizens Handle Yard Waste?

Since 2006, the City of Saskatoon has been operating two compost depots where citizens can drop off yard waste at no charge. The two depots, one on McOrmond Drive and the other on Highway 7, accept leaves, grass, non-elm tree and shrub branches and garden waste that would otherwise end up in the Landfill. The City of Saskatoon Compost Depots have grown since inception from accepting 1,450 tonnes per year of yard waste, to an estimated 27,000 tonnes in 2011.

The growing popularity of the compost depot program has meant there is high-quality finished material available. Last year, 2,500 cubic meters of compost were produced and used in City parks and community gardens. It is anticipated the depots will be able to provide a similar volume in 2012. It is also expected additional compost for amending soil may be available to the public later this year. For the 2012 season, both depots are open to Saskatoon citizens from April 20 to November 5. Depots are open 7 days a week, including statuary holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Visit this link for more information.

Citizens may also subscribe to a curb-side leaves and grass collection program. This popular program began in 2004 and has steadily grown to include 3,000 households in 2012. The curb-side collection service provides bi-weekly pick-up of leaves, grass, and non-elm woody material from subscribers. The subscription cost for participation is $50.00 annually, and the program starts the week of April 30 through to early November. In 2011, citizen participation in this program diverted approximately 1,000 tonnes of organic waste from disposal to the landfill. Visit this link for an application form.

Citizens may also handle grass clippings through a technique known as grass cycling. View this video for more information.

Citizens who recycle their yard waste are helping to significantly extend the life of Saskatoon’s landfill. Extending the life of the landfill produces an important benefit: the longer the current landfill remains active, the longer the City of Saskatoon avoids the significant cost of siting and building a new landfill. Removing organics from the waste stream going to the landfill also significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to waste materials, residents may drop off their recycling at the Landfill. The Landfill accepts paper, yard waste, car batteries, propane tanks and much more. For more information on recycling options, visit this link.