Organics Options for Regina

There are a lot of backyards and kitchens in Regina, and that means plenty of organics need a place to go, every day. As one of the largest cities in the province, there is some expectation that there be an organic waste diversion program for city residents.

Currently, the city does not operate a pickup service for organics nor a drop-off site open to the public. The city passively encourages backyard composting. They have information about how to compost on their website www.regina.ca, as well as plans for building a home compost bin.
While backyard composting is nice because it is a low- tech, low-environmental-impact way to divert organics, it is not a good solution for everyone (elderly, those living in apartments, etc.). Many other larger centers in Canada have realized this, and already have other options for residents. The city is currently looking at improving collection of organic materials as part of their new waste plan.
Waste Plan Regina sets out three potential service levels for city council to choose from. Each one includes increasingly comprehensive organic diversion, as well as recycling and household hazardous waste disposal.

The first option would provide more active promotion of backyard composting as well as yard waste drop off depots. Regina has experience managing large compost sites such as this, as it has been experimenting with composting commercial landscaping waste together with sewage sludge.

Waste Plan Regina's second option would provide seasonal curbside collection of yard waste. Once pick-up is part of the picture, fuel costs add to the total price of the plan.

The third option offers bi-weekly yard waste and kitchen waste collection. Even higher fuel costs, and the unique challenges of dealing with kitchen waste, make this the most expensive and challenging of the three options.

Industrial, commercial, and institutional waste receives minimal attention in the plan. At best it will ask for voluntary food waste diversion from institutions.

If you are interested to know more, the city has a lot to offer on their website. You can sign up to receive updates on the progress of the plan, participate in a questionnaire, as well as peruse the many reports, and surveys. Look under Residents/Garbage/Let's talk trash.

(Source: February 2010 WasteWatch)

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