Saskatoon committee to consider expansion of city’s material recovery centre

A City of Saskatoon committee will soon be considering whether or not to approve an expansion of the city’s material recovery centre.

The project, which would establish a permanent facility for hazardous household waste drop-offs, along with the purchase of new equipment and “roll-off bins,” comes with a price tag of $4,925,508.

The city said $3,611,875 of that total will be funded by the federal and provincial governments, while the remaining $1,313,633 would be funded through the city’s existing capital sources “with no new capital funding required.”

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A report on the project is set to come before the city’s standing policy committee on environment, utilities and corporate services on Tuesday. If the project is approved, the city said the new facility could be up and running next year.

“This investment makes a real difference for our community,” Mayor Cynthia Block said in a statement.

“A permanent household hazardous waste facility will help residents safely dispose of materials year‑round, while protecting workers, neighbourhoods and our environment. We’re proud to work with our federal and provincial partners to deliver infrastructure that supports a healthier, more sustainable Saskatoon.”

The city said participation in its seasonal drop-off program for hazardous household waste has seen a steady increase in participation, with 2,257 depot visits in 2024 and 2,715 in 2025. The facility collected 60.33 tonnes of material in 2024 and 69.88 tonnes last year, the city said.

The city said the expansion would allow for hazardous household waste to be collected year-round, improve operations at the site and enhance safety by reducing the risk of fires, dangerous chemical reactions and worker exposure to hazardous materials.

“The Government of Saskatchewan strongly believes in the importance of infrastructure to help grow and build a stronger province,” Eric Schmalz, Saskatchewan’s minister of government relations, said in a statement shared by the city.

“The funding for this project is an important next step for the city, with our government looking forward to its completion and providing a permanent option for residents to dispose of household waste.”

Buckley Belanger, Canada’s secretary of state for rural development, said the federal funding for the project is coming through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund, which supports the development of infrastructure in order to allow more homes to be constructed.

“Investments like these support our government’s goal of addressing the housing crisis head-on by helping cities like Saskatoon grow the way they need to,” Belanger said, quoted in the city’s statement.