Waste collection in Saskatoon is one step closer to looking a little different. On Monday the committee on environment, utilities and corporate services voted in favour of a utility fee for waste.
The waste utility passed on a 4-1 vote with Councillor Troy Davies opposed.
Davies says there are too many variables and projections and that he would like to see the matter brought up at budget to see a more in-depth view of the city’s numbers.
With the matter passed at the committee level, it will be brought to city council at their next regular meeting on September 24th.
The “pay as you throw” system includes three different bin sizes for garbage with the smallest being 180 litres, and the largest being a 360 litre sized bin which is the one currently used for single family homes in the city and residents would pay accordingly to the size of their bin.
If council passes the new waste collection model, single family homes will also receive a green bin to use for organics.
The reasoning to change the city’s waste collection program is to help extend the life of the landfill and to help with the city’s target of 70 per cent waste diversion by the year 2023.
Currently garbage collection is paid through property taxes.
By the numbers:
$216 – is what you would pay annually for the smallest bin in one year with no increases for the first three years of the program (180L).
$273.60 – what it would cost a year for the biggest bin, which is what households currently have. The cost would then rise to $434.40 in the third year.
$55 – is what it costs right now for a bi-weekly, 6 month a year, voluntary organics program. ($75 if you sign up before April 30th)
$18 million – average cost a year for 50 years for a new waste program.
$150-$170 million – estimated costs to shut down the old landfill to create a new one.
2020- year when the proposed changes would be introduced.