Curbside Garbage (Black Cart)

 We encourage residents to do a household waste audit to really evaluate what their waste needs are before downsizing to a cart. If you're using your Green Cart, chances are you've already noticed a change in how full your Black Cart is.

A $30 cart swap fee for upsizing carts will apply in 2025.

When deciding on cart size, consider the following:

• What volume of garbage bags do you use (check the box they came in)?
• How many garbage bags do you place in the black cart every two weeks?
• Use the volume of the bags along with the number of bags to determine the volume of garbage your house typically produces in one collection period.
  • ie 45 L bag X 5 bags is 225 L, which means you could choose the 240 L or stay with the 360 L. The 120 L would be too small in this example.

On September 26, 2022 City Council approved the recommendation by the Administration to implement Option 1: A variable cart utility including three cart options for the black cart garbage utility, with implementation funded through borrowing against the future utility.

On November 21, 2022, City Council approved the recommendation by the Administration to implement a low-income subsidy ($100.00) for the waste utility, starting in fiscal year 2024.

On September 27, 2023 City Council approved details on black cart size options, timelines and proposed rates for the garbage utility in 2024.

 Admin Report & Attachments

Variable Black Cart Utility Model Options

2024 Curbside Garbage Utility Implementation and Proposed Rates

Considerations and Options for Supporting Low-Income Households

Waste Utility Low-Income Subsidy Program Update

The monthly fee covers:

• Collection of garbage from your home and container management
• Processing (landfilling)
• Education, bylaw and program support
• Debt repayment for smaller carts

Most existing inventory of black carts are 360L (large). Due to different vendors, the carts may look different from one another and slightly differ in size. The best way to check what size of cart you have is to look on the top for imprinted writing in a small box near the bottom of the lid, above the handle. A small amount of 240 L (medium) carts were previously available to residents.  Sizes will either be 360 L / 96 gallons or 240 L / 64 gallons.

We encourage residents to try the small cart for a couple collections to see what works. Adjusting to your smaller cart may take some time.

The small cart is designed for 2-3 45L kitchen garbage bags. If materials are packed too tightly in the cart, they will not fall out of the cart during pickup. Please do not overfill, wedge or overpack the waste into the carts. If possible, store materials until next collection date.

Tips: Cut up large materials like furnace filters, use small kitchen bags and look at what materials can go into your blue and green cart.

It is important residents review their utility bill to confirm their services. If the record doesn’t match billing, residents can contact Corporate Revenue Customer Service at 306-975-2400 or revenue@saskatoon.ca to review the property and update our records.

When deciding on cart size, consider the following:

• What volume of garbage bags do you use (check the box they came in)?
• How many garbage bags do you place in the black cart every two weeks?
• Use the volume of the bags along with the number of bags to determine the volume of garbage your house typically produces in one collection period.
  • ie 45 L bag X 5 bags is 225 L, which means you could choose the 240 L or stay with the 360 L. The 120 L would be too small in this example.

Also consider the following when deciding on cart size:

• Are there times of the year when you will have more garbage than normal such as a holiday, when guests are visiting, or after a seasonal cleaning? Consider what you will do with excess garbage during these times. Remember that loads of garbage under 150kg (330lbs) brought to the landfill are only changed a $15 entrance fee.

Here are some simple tips to help reduce waste:

Maximize the Use of your Blue and Green Carts

• Recycle: Find the full recycling program guidelines at saskatoon.ca/recycling
• Compost: All food and most yard waste can be put in your green cart
• Ask the Wizard! Visit saskatoon.ca/wastewizard or download the Saskatoon Waste app and search for any item to get diversion or disposal options.

Material Recovery Centre

City residents can drop off recycling, small appliances, batteries, oil and anti-freeze, electronics, metals, rimless tires, and bikes at the City’s Material Recovery Centre’s (MRC) Sort & Go area located next to the landfill (42 Valley Road). For more information visit saskatoon.ca/MRC.

Donate

Gently used items can be rehomed rather than discarded as garbage. Consider participating in the Saskatoon Curbside Swap. Find details at saskatoon.ca/curbsideswap. Alternatively, items may be donated to a local thrift store or reuse center, sold on an online selling platform, or recycled using a special recycling take-back program.

Ditch Disposable, Go Reusable

Such as a reusable set of utensils with a food container or keep a reusable bag on a keychain.

A transitional subsidy of $100 annually is now available to help minimize the financial impact on low-income households. This subsidy is available to eligible low-income households who have a City utility account in their name. For more details or to apply, visit saskatoon.ca/wastesubsidy.

The Waste Utility Subsidy will be available until the implementation of a broader Universal Low Income Subsidy program planned for approximately 2027.