Saskatonians will be able to select from three different size garbage cans when the City’s new look garbage collection program goes online. City Council voted in favour of moving ahead with a variable system during Monday’s regular meeting. That means residents will pay for garbage based on the size of bin they have. Three options will be available. The largest being the current 360-litre bin, a medium size bin at 240 litres and bin smaller than that for the third and final option. It’s going to cost over $4 million dollars to purchase the two new bin sizes.

The variable rate method is something that other jurisdictions across Canada have adopted according to Mayor Charlie Clark. He adds it’s been a success in other communities. “Having the choice to choose a smaller model and based on what we’ve learned it has been effective in other jurisdictions.”

It’s expected the different bin options will roll out in 2023. The initiative is part of the City’s goal to divert 70 per cent of the current waste going into the landfill by next year. City Council and City administration has been slowly working on an overhaul of Saskatoon’s waste collection since 2018. Other initiatives include a city-wide organics program starting next year and the addition of Recovery Park of the landfill in 2023 as well. Councillors Troy Davies and Darren Hill were the only two opposed to the variable model for waste collection.