Yorkton鈥檚 recycling levy will rise Jan. 1, but by less than previously expected.
鈥淎t the Oct. 19 council meeting, John Denysek from the Saskatchewan Abilities Council, made a presentation requesting a $2 increase to the monthly residential recycling levy. The increase was requested in order to maintain a financially stable recycling program,鈥� explained Michael Buchholzer, Director of Environmental Services with the City.
Buchholzer told Council recycling has been in place in the city for years.
鈥淩ecycling in Yorkton started in 1994 with a six month federally funded trial program. Since then the initiative has diverted approximately three million kilograms per year of recyclable material from the landfill,鈥� he said.
Saskatchewan Abilities Council, an organization who works with people of varying abilities to enhance their independence and participation in the community through vocational, rehabilitation and recreational services, operates the recycling facility. 鈥� This facility processes materials from six residential drop-off bins, a curbside collection program and 133 local businesses,鈥� said Buchholzer.
鈥淥ur curbside program is operated by Prairie Harvest Employment, a non-profit, community based organization that creates opportunities for individuals and families to succeed.鈥�
Yorkton residents have been contributing to a recycling levy since 1996, when a recycling operations agreement was signed with the Saskatchewan Abilities Council.
鈥淭he levy was set at$1/month/household for paper and cardboard recycling,鈥� said Buchholzer.
Recycling programs in Yorkton have relied on federal or provincial grants to keep them sustainable.聽 The last provincial supplement of $80,000 per year ended in April of 2014.
Now a new Multi-Material Recycling Program (MMRP) will launch Jan.1
鈥淓very dollar collected monthly from the levy is equivalent to approximately $80,000.00 for recycling. Therefore the new MMRP funding program will equate to approximately $1/month/household. Mr. Denysek stated he needed a $2 increase to the levy to make the processing of recycling products financially sustainable, therefore the levy requires an increase of only $1/month/household,鈥� said Buchholzer.
In the case of city programs, all are not equal in level of service.
鈥淏ased on the communities identified in Table 1, Yorkton is the only municipality who has weekly pickup of recyclables and garbage.聽 North Battleford, Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert, pick up recycling every two weeks and Swift Current does not have a curbside collection program.聽 North Battleford picks up garbage every second week and the remainder of the Cities listed have seasonal garbage pickup schedules.聽 All programs within these communities use recycling roll out carts, similar to our garbage containers,鈥� said Buchholzer.
But the Yorkton program has benefits beyond collection of materials.
鈥淥ur current recycling programs continue to provide social and skill development for those with disabilities and at risk youth and the funding relies heavily on provincial and/or federal grants,鈥� said Buchholzer.
With lower salvage prices and possible increases in capital costs for curbside collection (replace the existing bus) or a loss of grant funding to Prairie Harvest, the city may have to evaluate alternate solutions to maintain the service we provide, he added.
The Environmental Committee has reviewed and endorsed the proposed $1.00 increase to the levy.
Council support for the $1 per month increase on the 14 was unanimous.
