Waste Diversion
Status: Needs Improving
Diverting material from the landfill can reduce environmental impacts related to garbage disposal, such as the creation of toxic leachate and methane gas, and maximize the operating life of the landfill.
The City's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan includes the following key action within the Environmental Sustainability priority area:
- Implement actions in the Solid Waste Reduction and Diversion Plan within proposed timelines to achieve 70% diversion from the Saskatoon Landfill.
Relevant actions from the Low Emissions Community Plan include:
Where are we now?
The percentage of waste diverted from the landfill was 33% in 2023. Continued improvement and new programs are needed to meet City's target of 70%.
Data Table
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Target | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diversion Rate % | 15 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 33 | |
| Target | 70 |
Source: City of Saskatoon – Sustainability and Water & Waste Operations Departments
What Are We Doing?
New Waste Diversion Opportunities
In 2023, the City completed the roll-out of three major waste diversion projects - Curbside Organics (Green Cart Program), Material Recovery Centre, and ICI Waste Diversion Regulations. The percentage of waste diverted from the landfill increased from 25% in 2022 to 33% in 2023.
Solid Waste Reduction and Diversion Plan
The City continues to implement actions identified in the Solid Waste Reduction and Diversion Plan. The plan directly supports Saskatoon's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan and long-term objectives outlined in The Official Community Plan Bylaw, 2020.
Waste and Recycling Services
The City offers several programs to help residents divert waste, including:
- Blue Cart and Blue Bin recycling
- Green Cart composting
- Saskatoon Waste Wizard app and website resource tool
- Household Hazardous Waste Days
- Compost Depots
- Recycling Depots
- Community Programs
What Can You Do?
Residents and businesses can reduce the amount of waste they send to landfills by utilizing one or more of the many waste diversion programs offered by the City:
- Use your Green Cart to compost food and yard waste; remember ALL food waste is accepted in the Green Cart Program!
- Ensure household hazardous waste, such as aerosols and cleaners, are properly disposed of. Use the Waste Wizard search engine to figure out what goes where.
- Learn more about waste reduction and diversion through one of our many community waste education programs.
Visit the Waste & Recycling webpage to learn more about all the waste, recycling, and organics programs the City has to offer.
Did You Know?
A total of 39,000 tonnes of materials were diverted through the City’s recycling and organics programs in 2023.