With Saskatoon’s target of reaching 70% waste diversion from the landfill by 2023 looking unlikely at this time, alternatives were discussed at this weeks Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services meeting. The Solid Waste Reduction and Diversion plan was introduced with the goal to reach the target by 2030 instead.
Katie Burns Manager of Community Leadership and Program Development, answered a question from Mayor Charlie Clark about why waste to energy, or incinerating is not a cost competitive option. Burns says usually this option is used in places where landfill capacities are a challenge, including if a landfill has closed or they are having to shift garbage large distances. This option she says, is found in places like Toronto or even Nova Scotia but not necessarily needed in Saskatoon. Mayor Clark made a motion for a report on a cost per tonne comparison on where waste to energy technology is at currently. Clark says as technology moves and changes, something may arise that creates a new opportunity in the city.
Currently Vancouver leads the country’s reported cities at 64% waste diversion, Calgary is at 52%, while Saskatoon sits under Canada’s median 45% rate at 24.3%. Regina is just ahead at 25%.
During discussion, Councillor Hilary Gough questioned if the report still intends to expand the life of the landfill for 40 years. Jeanna South, Director of the Sustainability Department says that assessment, originally made in 2011, would have used the current disposal rates. South says the landfill has 8.8 million cubic metres of area space remaining, enough for the 40 to 50 year projection. However, with anticipated changes she says landfill managers will want to take a fresh look at that, meaning it could be an even longer timeline.
The diversion plan includes three approved projects in the form of the curbside organic program, recovery park and regulations of recycling and organics for businesses These projects are expected to start in 2023 and are projected to improve waste diversion by 41 to 54%. The plan also names 27 short, medium and long term actions to help achieve further diversion targets.
