SASKATOON — Smaller is better. That’s the message Saskatoon residents are sending those who manage waste collection in the city.
The City of Saskatoon is reporting receiving more than 3,500 applications for smaller black cart garbage bins in the first week of application intake.
Applications opened Jan. 8, with the city offering residents more choice and flexibility with their household's waste needs.
“We are excited by the amount of interest there has been in the cart size options just one week into a two-month window for swap requests,” says Brendan Lemke, director of Water and Waste Operations.
“We do encourage residents to use the online tool through their Utility Account to avoid call wait times,”
As part of the council-approved 2024-25 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget, the funding source for black cart garbage services has shifted from property taxes to a utility model. A fixed utility rate of approximately $9.92 per month will be in place from January to June 2024 for all households with roll-out black cart garbage services. Utility rates based on black cart size will not be in place until cart swaps are completed city-wide.
Residents with curbside collection services can assess their waste needs and choose the black cart size suited to their household. The cart sizes include the current large (360L) as well as a medium (240L) and a small (120L) black cart.
The new black cart program will have environmental benefits, while providing choice to residents. Communities that use similar approaches have seen their waste diversion rates improve by 5-17%, as residents increase their use of diversion programs and find new ways to reduce their general waste generation. Residents have shown a high interest in smaller black carts due to the ability to control costs, save space and having less garbage to dispose of.
The first cart swap request window will be open until March 1. The transition to smaller carts will take some time as the City works through exchanging the existing large black carts for smaller carts. Cart swaps will be completed April through June corresponding with collection schedules. More information regarding the cart swap process will be made available in the coming months once the first request window closes and the swap process and schedule are finalized.
If residents miss the deadline or need more time to decide, there will be another intake for cart swap requests this fall.
To learn more about the Black Cart program or rates, visit saskatoon.ca/blackcart. To request a smaller cart, visit saskatoon.ca/utilityaccount and sign up or login to your Utility Account. Residents can also request a cart swap by calling a Corporate Revenue Customer Service Representative at 306-975-2400.
