City facility proposed as long-term, cost-effective organics processing option

The Standing Policy Committee on Environment Utilities and Corporate Services will consider long-term options for city organics processing at its meeting Tuesday, April 2. 

“As we explored options for long-term organics processing, it made sense to consider the West Compost Depot since it will need to be relocated due to future development,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water & Waste Operations. “After a deeper evaluation, it was clear that constructing a City-owned facility would offer the best long-term costs for providing both organics processing for the green cart program and public-drop off services.”  

In a decision report to the Committee that includes a thorough analysis of long-term organics processing options, Administration recommends building a city-owned organics processing facility. This would provide organics processing for the green cart program and a location for public drop-off to replace the West Compost Depot. The analysis shows this option would have the lowest long-term cost impact for residents and it offers all the same services for residents. Also, the cost could be further reduced if the City is successful in its funding application to the Low Carbon Economy Challenge Fund. 

The city-wide curbside organics program launched in May of 2023. In 2020, Green Prairie Environmental Ltd. (GPE) was awarded a contract to process organics materials, however, GPE has not fulfilled their obligations under the organics processing contract. As a result, the City requires a long-term strategy for processing curbside organics. A comprehensive report on performance of the green cart program will be presented later this year. 

Since the green cart program launch,  more than 18,000 tonnes of organic waste have successfully been diverted from the landfill. The Solid Waste Reduction and Diversion Plan projected that the annual diversion would be between 15,000 and 22,000 tonnes per year. The lower range of the estimated diversion rate has been exceeded within the first nine months of the program. To learn more about the Green Cart program, visit saskatoon.ca/greencart.