City pondering closure of Meadowgreen recycling site

The City of Saskatoon is proposing the permanent closure of a troublesome recycling depot on the city’s west side.

On Wednesday, city administration recommended closing the Meadowgreen Recycling Depot at 22nd Street and Whitney Avenue after what it called “continuous public safety concerns from illegal dumping, scavenging, nuisance and criminal behaviour.”

The proposal is included in a report that is to go to the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services on Monday.

In 2017, council issued a plan for the area that included 25 recommendations, developed after more than 90 residents and stakeholders and 50 members of city administration raised concerns about the depot.

In late March, the city beefed up security and reduced operating hours at the site, apparently to no avail.

“We regret that it has come to this, but ongoing issues have left us with no choice but to recommend permanent closure,” Lynne Lacroix, the city’s general manager of community services, said in a release.

“The actions of some individuals have led to the possibility of removing a public facility that allows well-intentioned residents to responsibly divert their recycling from the City landfill.

“Unfortunately, we can no longer commit the resources required to maintain the site, keep residents safe, and uphold the appearance of the lanes adjacent to the depot; nor do we wish to enable nuisance or criminal activity in any way.”

The report said it would cost the city $8,000 to close and partially remediate the site. The work could begin immediately after council meets April 26, if it decides to accept the recommendation.

“We fully expect that the positive social implications of this closure for the Meadowgreen area and its residents will far outweigh the financial and environmental implications,” Angela Gardiner, the city’s general manager of utilities and environment, said in the release.

The report on the possible closure is available here.