Curbside Organic Waste Collection Pilot Program

In the spring of 2021, all Yorkton residents were invited to take part in an organics survey. Of the respondents, 64% voted in favour of an organics collection program with an additional 26% responding 'maybe depending on cost.' The City has also received several resident inquiries regarding interest in a curbside organics program.

At December 19, 2022, Council Meeting, Council approved the option for Environmental Services to proceed with the residential organics collection pilot program in 2023. In February 2023, 400 residences were selected to participate in the residential curbside organics collection program.

From 2011 to 2021 the City observed a 57% increase in in-city refuses from May to October relative to the rest of the year. During the summer of 2022, waste audits were completed of in-city refuse and we found that organic material (yard and food waste) made up 52% of the total refuse by weight.

Scope of the project

The weekly organics collection program will be on the same day as the household's weekly garbage pickup.

Duration of the project

The project will start the week of April 17, and run until the week of October 30, 2023.

Zones Selected

Thursday and Friday collection zones were chosen based on the contractors preference and operational efficiency.

  • Streets were chosen within zones based on collection efficiency and with an attempt to get adequate zone representation.

What can and can not go in the new organics bin?

We are targeting two main types of organic waste:

  1. Organic yard waste such as leaves, grass clipping, and garden waste
  2. Food waste - 'scrape the plate' approach. Anything that can be consumed can go in the bin. Other compostable items such as coffee grounds and solidified fats/food grease are also acceptable.

What goes in:

  • All food scraps: as a 'scrape the plate' program, acceptable materials include fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, bones, bread, dough, pasta, grains, eggs, dairy products, and coffee grounds. Small amounts of cooking greases and oils.
  • Yard waste - lawn clippings and trimmings, leaves, garden waste, and flowers.
  • Plastic compostable bags

What stays out:

  • Tree branches and woody material
  • All paper products (pizza boxes, paper towels, napkins, Kleenex, newspapers)
  • Plastic bags (non-compostable)
  • Plastic single-use cutlery (even if labelled compostable)
  • Stickers, rubber bands, plastic labels and twist ties on produce
  • Aluminium foil
  • Pet feces
  • Diapers
  • Styrofoam

In the spring of 2021, all Yorkton residents were invited to take part in an organics survey. Of the respondents, 64% voted in favour of an organics collection program with an additional 26% responding 'maybe depending on cost.' The City has also received several resident inquiries regarding interest in a curbside organics program.

At December 19, 2022, Council Meeting, Council approved the option for Environmental Services to proceed with the residential organics collection pilot program in 2023. In February 2023, 400 residences were selected to participate in the residential curbside organics collection program.

From 2011 to 2021 the City observed a 57% increase in in-city refuses from May to October relative to the rest of the year. During the summer of 2022, waste audits were completed of in-city refuse and we found that organic material (yard and food waste) made up 52% of the total refuse by weight.

Scope of the project

The weekly organics collection program will be on the same day as the household's weekly garbage pickup.

Duration of the project

The project will start the week of April 17, and run until the week of October 30, 2023.

Zones Selected

Thursday and Friday collection zones were chosen based on the contractors preference and operational efficiency.

  • Streets were chosen within zones based on collection efficiency and with an attempt to get adequate zone representation.

What can and can not go in the new organics bin?

We are targeting two main types of organic waste:

  1. Organic yard waste such as leaves, grass clipping, and garden waste
  2. Food waste - 'scrape the plate' approach. Anything that can be consumed can go in the bin. Other compostable items such as coffee grounds and solidified fats/food grease are also acceptable.

What goes in:

  • All food scraps: as a 'scrape the plate' program, acceptable materials include fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, bones, bread, dough, pasta, grains, eggs, dairy products, and coffee grounds. Small amounts of cooking greases and oils.
  • Yard waste - lawn clippings and trimmings, leaves, garden waste, and flowers.
  • Plastic compostable bags

What stays out:

  • Tree branches and woody material
  • All paper products (pizza boxes, paper towels, napkins, Kleenex, newspapers)
  • Plastic bags (non-compostable)
  • Plastic single-use cutlery (even if labelled compostable)
  • Stickers, rubber bands, plastic labels and twist ties on produce
  • Aluminium foil
  • Pet feces
  • Diapers
  • Styrofoam

  • Mid-Point Update

    We’re halfway through the 2023 Organics Curbside Collection Pilot Project. The 400 homes with carts that are involved in the pilot program have diverted 45 tonnes (45,000 kg) of organic material from the landfill for an average of 112.5 kg/ household.

    The pilot program started on April 17 and will run until October 30. 400 homes in the Thursday and Friday collection zones were selected to participate in the program.
    Results will be provided once the program closes in November of 2023. Thank you to the participating residents!

  • Organic bins delivered

    Residents part of the Residential Organics Collection Pilot Program are starting to receive their bins!

    The program is set to begin the week of April 17, and run until October 30, 2023.