October 18-24 is Waste Reduction Week in the City of Yorkton and with many goals in place, the city kicked off the week with an announcement of new recycling options for local residents.
"This is an opportunity for individuals to reflect on how they can reduce their individual consumption and how they can divert materials from the landfill," spoke John Denysek, Regional Director of the Yorkton Branch of Saskatchewan Abilities Council at a Tuesday morning event.
"Seventeen years ago we had a vision of creating a one-stop recycling centre that would divert materials from the landfill and create employment for people."
At that time says Denysek, alliances were formed with Ottenbreit Sanitation, the Canadian Federation of University Women, the local Kinsmen Club, Service Canada and the City of Yorkton "and that vision has grown to what we have today."
From more humble beginnings, the Yorkton centre is now able to accept and recycle everything from plastic, to paper, glass and tin, to used computers and paint. It also offers a curbside recycling program.
"We're also pleased to be founders of the city's Solid Waste Management Committee which has a vision of zero waste going to the landfill by 2026. While this is an ambitious venture, it is possible with innovation and partnerships."
Currently, says Denysek, recycling, with the help of local residents, is diverting a tremendous amount of waste from the landfill.
Through the Kinsmen Recycling Centre 2,100 tones of material is diverted annually. Sarcan diverts 8.4 million containers each year. The eco-centre takes about 20,000 litres of oil each year. The Saskatchewan Institution of Community Living program also sees that 20,000 pounds of clothing does not make its way to the landfill. "And in addition, we have one of three locations in Saskatchewan with an electronics disassembly program... each year we take apart 160 tones of equipment and that is a remarkable feat..."
This week further advancements and improvements were announced to keep the city moving forward when it comes to recycling.
Four new bins will placed throughout Yorkton that will allow a 24 hour disposal option for newspaper, cardboard, plastic and tin.
"These will replace the current bins we have which only accept cardboard and paper products."
Bins will be located at Sarcan, the Kahkewistahaw Gas Bar, the Parkland Mall and the Prairie Harvest Church on Melrose. A small bin will also be at the Co-op Food Store parking lot.
In addition, blue bins will be replaced by bags which will result in less mess and more room for recyclables.
Yorkton's MLA Greg Ottenbreit and the city's Mayor James Wilson, who were both on hand for Tuesday's events, are also excited about the direction recycling initiatives are taking in Yorkton.
Formerly the owner of Ottenbreit Sanitations, Ottenbreit says this is a topic that is near and dear to his heart.
"It's been a lot of hard work and we could have easily given up," says Ottenbreit, but with strong partnerships the recycling system has grown and become effective, with more positive changes due on the horizon.
"I think we're quite spoiled in this city, very unique and very blessed in that a lot of other areas still have a hard time accepting tin, plastic, glass... we accept electronics... we are pretty much a closed circle in this city."
All of the collective hard work over the past 17 years has paid off says Ottenbreit.
"There are four "R"s we have to rethink - think outside the box what we're doing - and by reducing and reusing we put a lot less stress on the landfill."
Everyone can do their part to contribute he suggests adding, new provincial recycling initiatives will be rolled out soon in the province that will further enhance what's happening in Yorkton and help to move the entire province forward when it comes to recycling sustainability.
