‘Really messy:’ Meadowgreen recycling depot creates issues for neighbouring business

The Cree Way Gas Station sits just a quick walk across the road from the Meadowgreen Recycling Depot.

One of the workers at the business said the high-traffic location has plagued the gas station’s area with trash for quite some time now.

“Just on those windy days, it gets frustrating with the stuff blowing over and a lot of illegal dropping. It was really messy from our end,” Amanda Greyeyes said Wednesday.

“I have my jockeys clean up (every day). It’s a hassle for them as well, but it’s part of our job. We’ve mentioned to the city to put up nets and they never bothered … We’ll call them, we’ve had people in the area … come to us and ask if we ever complain. And you say yeah, but nothing usually gets done. They just complain. Same day, it’s dirty (again).”

The #yxe Meadowgreen Recycling Depot is getting new hours and security surveillance beginning Friday.

The hope is to mitigate “the ongoing public safety concerns and illegal dumping,” according to the @cityofsaskatoon.

Here’s a look at what it looks like currently: pic.twitter.com/2nGKZP3v0V

— Brady Lang (@BradyLangSK) March 24, 2021

The recycling site is one of six sites available for Saskatonians. Lawson Heights, University Heights, Lakewood, Loraas Recycle and Cosmopolitan Industries are other options for those looking to legally dump their materials.

The City of Saskatoon said Tuesday changes would be coming to the operation, but nothing like what nearby businesses are asking for.

Dan Gauthier, the City of Saskatoon’s environmental projects and protection manager, said he doesn’t know why Cree Way’s netting wasn’t discussed more, or granted in the area.

“Based on what we see there, the illegal dumping that occurs at that site was really the main driver behind changing the hours and the operation of the facility,” he said.

“We have had complaints come in for the facility. But in the last little bit, they have been more frequent. As far as changing the operation of it, I think it’s based on the frequency we’re seeing there, with the illegal dumping.”

The changes include reducing hours to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, locking the gates after hours and getting security surveillance at the site at all times.

Will that be enough? Greyeyes has an optimistic outlook.

“Possibly, but I don’t think for long. I’d rather just have it closed down,” she said. “I think hopefully this fence and reduced hours will do something. Hopefully it will work, but in time we’ll see.”

On Monday morning, Greyeyes said a bin caught fire at the depot, causing a call and response from the fire department. She believes that likely played a factor in the decision Tuesday by the city.

“I’m thinking they’re finally doing something (with all the complaints). It’s safety as well, though, (with) the bins on fire. People come and go all the time through there, walking down the alley,” she said.

The new rules are to take effect Friday. City administration will deliver a formal report to Saskatoon city council on the matter in April.