City of Saskatoon rolls along with CRD facilities

Saskatoon estimates that about one third of the waste produced in the city annually comes from construction, renovation and demolition (CRD). Given the limited space left in the current landfill, CRD waste diversion is a priority for the city. Two CRD facilities, one on each end of the city, are being created to make better use of these materials.

Each site has separate areas for:

• concrete
• asphalt
• gravel
• sand
• dirt
• bricks, tiles and paving stones.

Each type of material must be brought in as a clean, separated load. In order to keep contamination to a minimum, both sites are staffed. Contractors must register with Environmental Services ahead of time to be allowed to drop off materials. A minimal tipping fee applies to cover operation costs. This fee is significantly lower than the landfill tipping fee, and creates a financial incentive for companies to spend the additional time separating the reusable materials.

The materials dropped off at the CRD sites are recycled for use in City projects. The asphalt is reprocessed for paving, and concrete and bricks have become a valuable source of aggregate for road base. Saskatoon is working with PSI Technologies to crush all these materials. Crushed aggregate is proving to work just as well, if not better, than virgin material. They are even adding crushed glass and porcelain to this mix (finally, a solution for old toilets that doesn't include flowers!). Locally produced recycled aggregate also saves the city from having to find ever-scarcer virgin materials: new aggregate is now sourced near Borden, 50 km from Saskatoon.

Two examples of demolished buildings that have made their way to the sites are the Barry Hotel and the old Zellers building from the Centre Mall. Private demolition contractors are using the sites more and more. Other additions have come from city road construction projects, and the University has expressed interest in joining the City of Saskatoon to work together as well.

For large projects, the city is hoping to provide the option to have demolition waste processed on site
instead of being hauled in and out of its CRD sites. They hope this will be the case for the Mitchell's processing plant, which will be demolished to make way for a new freeway bridge on the west end of town. There is enough material at the site to take up an entire year's worth of Saskatoon's landfill space. The City is working on processing the buildings on site and using the recycled materials to make the new freeway.

Currently, the City is not taking wood or lumber at the sites. Branches are allowed at its two composting sites, where they are chipped and added to compost piles. Usable dimensional lumber is accepted at the local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. Painted and unusable wood still has to be landfilled.

It seems like a no-brainer. Cheaper disposal costs for contractors, as long as they separate their material, and increased landfill life for the City as well as quality construction materials. It is hard to believe this is not being done many other places. Across Canada, very few cities have closed the loop this well, let alone in the rest of the world. Good 'ol prairie innovation!

(Source: May 2009 WasteWatch)

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