It’s Waste Reduction Week in Saskatchewan, and there’s no better way to reduce waste than to recycle.

Blue bin recycling programs have been integrated into the waste management of communities across the province. The City of Weyburn instituted the option for blue bin service in the spring of 2017.

Weyburn City Councillor Mel Van Betuw said about 3,050 residences are utilizing the blue bin recycling program offered by the City.

“It’s up marginally from where it started, which is good,” he said. “Then there are some private contractors that are also providing that service within the city, so it catches pretty well all of the households.”

Van Betuw said that’s about 85% of Weyburn residences. The private contractors, such as Blue Earth Environmental, have been offering the blue bin service for a number of years.

He said City Council had been working on getting blue bin service for about 10 years, a project he got involved with once he was elected to council in 2012.

“I know it took some time in Weyburn to get it on the go, but I think everybody took it in whole-heartedly,” he explained. “I think more and more, as I drive down the streets, I see more and more blue bins out every week, so I think people are certainly buying into the program.”

He said the multi-family units, which still use dumpsters as opposed to the individual residence bin setup, are still not yet equipped with blue bin service.

“They’re working with some of the private contractors for different ways of getting recycle bins on their property,” he said. “I know some of the residents are very excited and want to get it on their property so they can recycle along with everybody else.”

Considering how much goes into the blue bins each week, it certainly does add up over time.

“Right now, we’re doing about 20 tonnes a month of recycling through the blue bins,” said Van Betuw, noting that Regens Disposal is also collecting 12 and 13 tonnes a month at the depot bins. “That totals about 400 tonnes a year that we’re diverting from the landfill.”

Weyburn is doing its part, and with more options for products with recyclable packaging becoming available, the savings will have a lasting impact on the community as well as the environment.

See HERE for more information on Waste Reduction.