Resolutions

Whereas urban municipalities in Saskatchewan play a critical role in waste management and waste diversion efforts; and

Whereas strengthening waste diversion programs, increasing municipal funding, and improving policy alignment will help Saskatchewan achieve its waste reduction goals while ensuring environmental and economic sustainability;

Whereas the Government of Saskatchewan has established waste reduction targets of 30% by 2030 and 50% by 2040, yet municipalities face numerous challenges in achieving these goals, including limited financial resources, low public participation, recycling market instability, logistic barriers, and regulatory challenges; and

Whereas Saskatchewan's waste diversion rate of 17.9% in 2022 falls below the national average of 27%, highlighting the need for stronger provincial support for municipalities in meeting their waste reduction commitments; and

Whereas municipalities face significant challenges in improving waste diversion, including financial constraints, fluctuating recycling markets, logistic barriers, inconsistent regulations, and low public participation in recycling and composting programs; and

Whereas municipalities require enhanced financial support, policy consistency, and expanded infrastructure to implement sustainable waste diversion programs effectively.

Therefore be it resolved that SUMA advocate the Ministry of Environment to:

• Expand the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program to include additional materials to ensure producers bear a greater share of waste management costs.

• Establish dedicated municipal funding programs to support the development and expansion of recycling, composting, and waste diversion infrastructure to reduce landfill dependency.
• Enhance municipal collaboration in the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Strategy by ensuring urban municipalities have a formal role in policy discussions, funding allocation, and enforcement planning.
• Develop a province-wide waste diversion tracking and benchmarking framework to allow municipalities to monitor waste reduction progress, identify inefficiencies, and align local strategies with provincial targets.

Acts affected: None

Dear Sean McKenzie:

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the resolutions passed at the SUMA 120th Annual Convention.

Expand the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program to include additional materials to ensure producers bear a greater share of waste management costs.

The Solid Waste Management Strategy commits to reviewing all stewardship programs to identify improvements. The program for packaging and paper was the first program to go through the review process and resulted in amended regulations to transition the shared-responsibility program to one that is funded and operated by industry.

Under the updated extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations for household packaging and paper, SK Recycles is implementing a province-wide program to collect and recycle these materials. The changes to this program will shift the costs for managing this waste from municipalities and taxpayers to businesses that produce these materials. SK Recycles will be responsible for all aspects of post-collection processing in the province, including receiving, sorting, processing, marketing and transporting materials collected under the program, and all associated post-collection costs. SK Recycles is transitioning municipalities into the program.

Phase 1 focuses on transitioning larger municipalities with curbside and multi-family collection in 2025, and Phase 2 will focus on transitioning smaller communities in 2026. Phase 3 will include implementing staffed depots in eligible communities in 2027.

The ministry has also reviewed the regulations for used oil and antifreeze, electronic equipment, and household hazardous waste. In 2024, the ministry engaged stakeholders on proposed amendments to the regulations for electronic equipment, including expanding the program to include cellular devices, power tools and equipment, and small appliances. The ministry will also engage stakeholders in 2025-26 to consider potential regulatory amendments to improve the programs for used oil and antifreeze, and household hazardous waste. The Ministry of Environment monitors waste management trends to ensure its programs remain efficient, effective, and aligned with evolving best practices and community needs.

Establish dedicated municipal funding programs to support the development and expansion of recycling, composting, and waste diversion infrastructure to reduce landfill dependency.

The Ministry of Environment has regulated EPR programs for waste paint, used oil, scrap tires, electronic equipment, household packaging and paper, grain bags, household hazardous waste and batteries. These EPR programs are funded by the businesses that produce these products and are provided in municipalities across Saskatchewan at no cost to residents. The ministry also works with SARCAN Recycling to operate the beverage container recycling program.

Enhance municipal collaboration in the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Strategy by ensuring urban municipalities have a formal role in policy discussions, funding allocation, and enforcement planning.

In May 2021, the ministry established an external Solid Waste Management Advisory Committee to support and oversee strategy implementation. The committee has representation from key client groups, including a representative from the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association. Members are tasked with advising government on new or emerging trends, technology, opportunities and concerns related to solid waste management in Saskatchewan. The committee is also tasked with providing recommendations to the province on new and follow-up commitments to advance the Solid Waste Management Strategy.

The Solid Waste Management Strategy is scheduled for review every five years, with the first review occurring in 2025. This review will provide an opportunity to identify new commitments and priorities as the Government of Saskatchewan expands its understanding of waste management opportunities. As part of the process, the government plans to engage with urban municipalities to ensure that the new commitments and priorities reflect the waste management priorities of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association.

Sincerely,

Travis Keisig

Minister of Environment