Organics Feasibility Study

The City of Saskatoon will undertake a feasibility study to assess options for a curbside residential food and yard waste program. The program will serve over 68,000 households that currently have black (garbage) and blue (recycling) cart collections. The objective is to reach an overall diversion rate of 60% for the residential sector, when combined with the current diversion achievements. The project will focus on the residential sector only because the City manages a relatively small amount of the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) sector’s waste; however, it will include processing options to support a future program that can accommodate waste from the ICI sector. The study will analyze collection, processing and funding options through a combination of research and public engagement. The final report will recommend a preferred organics program and provide a detailed implementation plan. Among other options, the study will consider optical sorting technology that has not yet been implemented in Canada. With this technology, different coloured waste bags corresponding to different waste streams are co-mingled for curbside collection using the existing municipal fleet. The bags are then brought to a facility where they are optically sorted using camera technology. Potential benefits include less space required for waste storage; reduced fleet miles and therefore greenhouse gas emissions; and the ability to use existing equipment such as trucks and carts. The study will assess the environmental, financial and social implications of this option when compared to other collection and sorting methods. The project builds on a 2016 study commissioned by the City, which showed that 36,600 tonnes of residential waste landfilled in Saskatoon was food or yard waste. This was equal to 58% of material collected in curbside black carts for single family residences, and 27% for multi-family residences. In addition to an improved waste diversion rate, expected environmental benefits include a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; the potential to generate green energy; a reduction of landfill leachate; and the creation of finished compost. Social and economic objectives include extending the life of the current landfill and deferring associated costs; providing opportunities for local employment; enhancing community engagement; increasing public education and awareness; and improving the quality and convenience of service provision to residents. The project aligns with the City’s Strategic plan, which led council to adopt a performance target of 70% waste diversion by 2023. The study is also occurring simultaneously with the development of a waste reduction plan; a redesign of the City’s waste management business model, including shifting costs from property taxes to a user pay system; the construction of a new waste diversion facility (Recovery Park); and the development of new waste diversion strategies for specific sectors. (Project description from original funding application)