YORKTON - Residents will see a $1.00/month reduction to their recycling levy on their water /utility bill, effective April 1, 2025.
However, the overall proposed increase for a low density residential single family house, beginning April 1, is $2.00/month for a total of $21.00/month (includes refuse, recycling and organics services). This includes a $3.00 increase for refuse /organics collection plus a $1.00 recycling levy reduction, explained Aron Hershmiller - Director of Public Works with the city at the regular meeting of Council.
Both the decrease in the recycling levy, and overall increase were given unanimous approval by Council.
In terms of the recycling levy decrease it will translate to roughly $90,000 per year, said Hershmiller.
The reduction in revenue is offset by the SK Recycles EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) Grant.
SK Recycles provides funding grants to communities in order to assist with the cost of their recycling programs. This grant funding allows the city to reduce its existing recycling levy, as a portion of the expenses are covered.
The Environmental Committee has reviewed and endorsed the proposed $1.00 decrease to the recycling collection levy, noted Hershmiller.
As for the overall service Hershmiller explained “The residential recycling collection service occurs weekly to all residential households (all single and multi-family units).”
The last levy increase for this service was in 2015 which brought the levy to its current rate at $6.00/month.
The program has been around for years now.
“Recycling in Yorkton started way back in 1994 with a six month federally funded trial program,” said Hershmiller.
The recycling initiative has since diverted approximately two million kilograms (2,000 tonnes) per year of recyclable material from the landfill (material from both residential and businesses).
The current collection system is rather unique, offered Hershmiller.
“Yorkton has a truly special model for recycling services,” he said. “Our recycling services are a three-way partnership between Prairie Harvest Employment Program (collection), SaskAbilities (post collection), and the City of Yorkton (funder). This model focuses on the triple bottom line, taking into account the social, economic, and environmental impact.”
With the dual approved changes the cost to a single dwelling user will be $21 per month, including weekly refuse and recycling collection, and from April to November weekly organics collection.
