Yorkton - We are moving to blue carts

Why the change in collection methods?

Since 1994 the city of Yorkton has offered residents curbside recycling services. These services have been provided courtesy of a unique partnership - consisting of the City of Yorkton, SaskAbilities, and Prairie Harvest Employment Program (PHEP). For years this partnership provided residents weekly recycling services at a very affordable price point.

Since 2016 communities have had the opportunity to access recycling funding through a company called Multi-Material Stewardship Western (MMSW). MMSW was designed to support collectors managing recycling programs, providing up to 75% of net program costs of an efficient and effective residential recycling program. Since 2016, Yorkton has accessed this funding. This funding model is no longer available after December 2027.

In May of 2024, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment approved a new recycling funding model to be delivered by a non-profit organization – SK Recycles. Funding has went from a shared responsibility approach to a full extended producer responsibility program. In-order to continue to access funding, the City of Yorkton must partner with SK Recycles. As part of this change all post collection material becomes SK Recycles responsibility to sort, process and sell to end markets. With SK Recycles being responsible for the material this ultimately changes the dynamic and partnership the City of Yorkton had with SaskAbilities and PHEP.

In addition to programming changes, PHEP also lost provincial funding this spring. This provincial funding was vital for offsetting the collection costs and ultimately keeping cost down to residents.

Is there anything that affects the level of funding the City receives from SK Recycles?

Yes, In-order to receive the ‘maximum funding level’ communities must meet targets set out by SK Recycles. These targets relate to:

1. Tonnage Volumes- SK Recycles requires communities to hit target volumes based on per household recycling rates
2. Contamination- High levels of contamination are penalized in an effort to improve the quality of recyclable material they receive

SK Recycles will work with communities to meet volume and contamination related targets. However, if identified levels are not achieved then funding levels drop and communities/residents will be required to offset the program costs.

Costs to the Residents?

Residents will see no additional charges on their utility bills. In an effort to keep charges to a minimum for residents the initial blue cart purchase was made through city reserves.

Program Changes:

Addition of blue carts for curbside recycling collection

Collection Frequency:

Blue carts will be picked up Bi-Weekly. Every second week, your blue cart and black cart will be put out on the same day.

• Weekly garbage pickup will also still occur.
• Weekly organics pickup will also still occur (Week of April 14^th- November 7^th)

Collection Day:

Recycling will be collected the same day as scheduled garbage collection on a bi-weekly basis.

Residents affected: All residential units both single family and multi-units.

• All single family and low density residential with 4 units or less will receive a blue cart each (same as garbage carts).
• High density residential units will have recycles services available to tenants. Type of carts used at these units will be at the discretion of property owner and waste hauler.

Cart Delivery:

Early October

Products that will be accepted:

Full List will be provided at the time of cart deployment

Blue Cart Size:

95 Gallon/360 Liter (same as our current black carts and green carts)

How does Yorkton's solid waste services compare to other communities?