The topic of recycling was on the agenda at Yorkton's regular meeting of city council Monday evening following the delivery of a report by Stephen Rosowsky, environmental committee member. The report indicates where the city is now and where it needs to go in the future.
As recycling reduces the impact on costly landfills, the topic is an important one said Rosowsky to council.
"Recycling as represented a great challenge in the province... the City of Yorkton is not an exception facing these challenges... According to a survey undertaken by Saskatchewan Environment in 2008, in 2007 in Yorkton, three was a total of 13,612.93 tonnes of solid waste generated... for the recycling sector, there was a total of 1,320.88 tonnes," outlines the report.
But the city is working towards improvement. Yorkton has implemented a residential curb side recycling program that accepts paper, cartons, cardboard, plastic, bottles and cans. We also have recycling drop-off centres for both residences and businesses.
"Currently, there are several challenges to deal with recyclable material in Saskatchewan, including costs related to transportation and operation. The government has taken initiatives to make recycling more economically viable as well as has developed programs to improve and to successfully address existing solid waste management practices. However, there are still issues...
"Of great concern is the amount generated of carbon emission through the recycling processes."
According to the report, the city is studying all of the impacts in every area and is continually striving towards improvements for the benefit of the community as a whole.
