Business Recycling

The Bylaw applies to everyone regardless of organization size or the number of employees or tenants. Businesses and organizations may apply for an exemption if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

• They do not routinely generate recyclable material as part of their day-to-day operation;
• there are risks that cannot be mitigated; or
• there are other reasons outside their control.

To obtain an exemption, businesses may complete a self-declaration form stating the reason for exemption and provide supporting documentation. Exemptions will be reviewed for approval by the City of Saskatoon.

Home-based businesses are not included in this regulation as they have access to residential waste diversion programs. However, they are responsible for the removal of materials that exceed the capacity of their residential containers.

Businesses and organizations generate 68% of the garbage in our community. Most of the material collected from these businesses and organizations isn’t garbage at all! Much of what is thrown out is paper, cardboard, and food that can easily be diverted from the landfill.

Guides & Forms

• Recycling Guide for Businesses and Organizations
• Business Exemption Form
• Sample Letter to Employees or Tenants - Organics
• Sample Letter to Employees or Tenants - Recycling

Business Signage

• Mixed Recycling 
• Paper and Cardboard 
• Garbage 
• Organics
• Refundables

Business Waste Wizard
The Business Waste Wizard materials database will be driven by suggestions from the business community. If an item is searched and not found, there is opportunity to suggest that item as a new item in the database. If you need a service provider for recycling items required by the Bylaw, a list is available on the Waste Wizard page.  The list will be updated as new service providers are identified.
If you are a recycling or organics service provider in Saskatoon and would like to be included in our Business Waste Wizard as an option for local businesses and organizations, contact business.waste@saskatoon.ca

Waste Audits
Conducting a waste audit can help you design a more effective program by providing information about what is being landfilled, how much and where it’s coming from. It can also give you a starting point to set goals and measure waste diversion progress year-to-year.
There are a number of ways to conduct an audit.

• Do a quick and simple visual assessment. Take a look inside all of your waste bins. Estimate the types and approximate quantities of recyclable and food and yard waste materials you have in each bin.
• Complete a do-it-yourself waste audit.
• Hire a third-party consultant to complete a waste audit.

For more information on how to complete a do-it-yourself audit or to find a third-party consultant to complete one, please contact business.waste@saskatoon.ca

For Lunch and Learn opportunities or to request a site visit, contact business.waste@saskatoon.ca

Self-hauling your recyclables:

Self-hauling is a great solution for businesses and organizations that generate small volumes of recycling. You have the option to take mixed recyclable materials (paper and cardboard, food and beverage glass, aluminum foil and tin cans, and plastic containers) from your business or organization to a public recycling depot in Saskatoon at no cost.

There are currently two locations that accept mixed recyclables from businesses:

​
Cosmopolitan Industries
1300 block Ontario Avenue

Loraas Recycle
1902 1st Ave. North

Note: City of Saskatoon recycling depots located in residential areas are not for business use. Unauthorized use of the residential depots is considered "illegal dumping", enforceable through the Waste Bylaw.

Even if you self-haul your recyclables to an approved depot, you must still:

• Have separate labelled containers for garbage and recycling
• Educate employees/tenants annually about which materials are recyclable and how to sort them

To let us know you do not have commercial recycling services at your place of business due to self-hauling or repurposing, you can fill out the optional Self-Hauling Declaration Form.