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