SASKATOON — The city's Green Cart collection program has experienced a successful start, with participation steadily increasing in the waste diversion initiative.
Throughout May, the rate of carts set out for green cart collection on their designated day averaged 66 per cent, and by the final week, it rose to an impressive 75 per cent. Comparatively, the historical average for black cart set-out rates is 77 per cent.
The City of Saskatoon collected a remarkable 3,123 tonnes of organic waste in May alone, surpassing more than half of last year's total from the green cart subscription program.
Addressing concerns raised on social media, the City of Saskatoon has clarified that no reports of fires in green carts have been received. However, the heat generated is never great enough to ignite the materials approved for disposal in green carts.
However, the City warns that some materials not accepted in the green cart could pose a fire risk if improperly disposed of. These include residential fire pit ash and briquettes, cigarettes and butts, hazardous substances, batteries, compressed gases, and explosives.
Regrettably, due to contamination, approximately 1.3 per cent (40 tonnes) of green cart collections have required landfilling.
Residents are reminded that only BPI-certified compostable bags are accepted to ensure a smooth collection process. Visible contaminants, such as garbage bags, will prevent carts from being collected.
Removing contamination from organic waste demands additional effort and expense, potentially leading to a lower-quality finished compost product.
For a comprehensive list of accepted materials, visit saskatoon.ca/greencart. Should residents require guidance on the appropriate disposal method for specific items, they are encouraged to consult the Saskatoon Waste Wizard at saskatoon.ca/wastewizard or download the dedicated app.
This story has been updated to indicate materials approved for disposal in green carts should not generate enough heat to cause a fire.
