SASKATOON — The city administration is gearing up to launch a variable waste utility in 2024 with plans to present an approval to the Environment, Utilities, and Corporate Services Committee on Tuesday, Aug. 8.
The report will seek approval for purchasing smaller carts, as directed by the city council, to facilitate the upcoming waste utility program.
Under the new utility model, the funding source for black cart garbage services will shift from property taxes to a user-based system.
The move aims to give residents more control over their waste management costs, as they will only pay for the amount of waste they produce.
Homes with curbside collections can choose from three black cart sizes that suit household waste needs.
City Water and Waste Operations Director Brendan Lemke expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming program, noting that the successful city-wide green cart program has already led to a noticeable reduction in garbage placed in black carts.
"We look forward to providing residents cart size options that reflect their household waste needs. Following the successful launch of the city-wide green cart program, many residents already notice a smaller amount of garbage in their black carts,” said Lemke
“The variable utility model means that households will have more control over their costs and only pay for the waste they produce.”
As part of the preparation for the rollout, a dedicated report on program implementation will be presented to the EUCS Committee in the coming autumn.
This comprehensive report will include essential details on cart size options, procedures for cart swap requests, timelines, and proposed rates for the garbage utility.
It is important to note that despite the changes in waste management, garbage collection will continue bi-weekly throughout the year.
Residents can easily access their collection calendar by visiting or downloading the Saskatoon Waste Wizard app.
The forthcoming variable cart garbage utility is expected to bring more efficiency and cost-effectiveness to waste management in the city, and officials anticipate a positive response from residents once the program is in full swing in 2024.
