Webinar Series – Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. April 16, April 23, April 30, May 7 by Zoom

Whether your community is just beginning to explore composting or looking for ideas to expand existing efforts, this series will highlight practical options, real-world experiences, and strategies that work in Saskatchewan conditions.

Organic waste is one of the largest and most manageable materials still going to landfill. This four-part webinar series explores practical ways Saskatchewan communities can start—or strengthen—their efforts to divert organics. Beginning with the fundamentals of composting and the reasons communities choose to manage organics differently, the series then moves through resident-driven solutions, scalable approaches suitable for smaller communities, and lessons learned from established curbside programs.

Cost: $100 for SWRC Members [additional fees for non-members; single webinar registrations available]

Registrants will also have access to recordings of the webinars.

Thanks to our Sponsor:

Thursday, April 16, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (SK Time)

Designed for small and medium-sized Saskatchewan communities, this presentation will help participants understand both the “why” and the “how” of organics diversion, providing a foundation for communities considering composting or looking to expand their current efforts.

Composting may happen at different scales, but the fundamentals are the same—whether you’re managing a backyard pile or a municipal compost facility. Aaron will walk through the core principles of composting, including how organic materials break down, what conditions are needed for effective composting, and how these basics translate from small-scale systems to community-scale operations.

He will also explore why diverting organic waste matters for Saskatchewan communities and discuss how the province’s recently approved Compost Facility Chapter will affect new and ongoing composting operations.

Presenter:

Composting — Covering all the Basics

Aaron Osczevski serves as Canadian Technical Manager of Service and Sales at Sustainable Generation®, where he brings more than a decade of experience in landfill and compost facility operations.

More about Aaron …

Aaron’s interest in composting was sparked during a training trip to Cedar Grove in Washington, where seeing a fully operational facility for the first time—and meeting SG’s team—showed him both the importance and feasibility of large-scale composting. That pivotal moment launched a deep dive into the industry and inspired his leadership of the first industrial composting facility in Saskatchewan, a province then new to organics recycling.

Aaron began his career as a landfill operator near Saskatoon and quickly advanced into supervisory roles due to his operational expertise and leadership skills. In 2018, he took on the challenge of managing a composting operation in subarctic conditions, overseeing the year-round processing of source-separated organics (SSO) and food waste through harsh prairie winters. He is a certified PME trainer in Saskatchewan and brings extensive knowledge in material processing equipment, infrastructure development, and site safety. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta, majoring in Religious Studies with a minor in Theology—a background that adds a sense of purpose and perspective to his work in sustainability, stewardship, and community impact. One of his proudest accomplishments is leading the safest division in his previous company while mentoring a high-performing team—a testament to his commitment to both operational excellence and people development.

At Sustainable Generation®, Aaron focuses on expanding high-performance composting solutions across Canada, demonstrating that SG’s systems can thrive even in the most extreme climates. He is passionate about proving that sustainable organics recycling is not only possible but practical in every province and territory.

Outside of work, Aaron is an avid fitness enthusiast and self-proclaimed gym rat who applies the same discipline and drive from the gym to his work in the field—constantly pushing for better performance, precision, and results.

Thursday, April 23, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (SK Time)

This webinar explores practical ways municipalities can support residents in diverting organic waste at home and in their neighbourhoods. Rather than relying solely on municipal collection programs, many communities are finding success by enabling residents to manage food and yard waste through a range of flexible options.

Participants will learn about approaches such as encouraging backyard composting, providing access to countertop composters, and promoting subscription-based curbside organics services offered by private providers. The session will highlight how these resident-driven solutions can reduce landfill waste, build public awareness, and serve as a scalable starting point for communities looking to expand organics diversion.

Presenters:

Encouraging Home Composting — Resources & Tips:

Lisa Howse is the Compost Education Coordinator for the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council. In this role, she delivers workshops, trains volunteers to become Compost Coaches, develops home composting resources, and conducts research projects. In 2024, Lisa added Communications to her SWRC work.

Lisa is passionate about composting and soil health and an avid gardener.

Community Compost Subscription Services:

Keri Sapsford runs the Compost Corner, a food scrap pick up and composting service in Prince Albert. She enjoys helping her clients connect with nature and returning nutrients to the soil and ensuring that those who are looking to be more environmentally friendly have the opportunity to do so.

Setting up Municipal Subscription Programs:

Iain Macfarlane has been with Loraas since 2019, starting first as an outside Territory Manager for 2 years, and then moving into the Assistant Sales Manager role. He is a husband, and father of two, and very much enjoys all things Saskatchewan with hunting, fishing and camping as a part of his lifestyle.

SWRC Countertop Composter Research: Lisa Howse, SWRC

Maple Creek’s Food Cycler Pilot Program:

Len Barkman has served on the Town of Maple Creek Council since November 2020. With a strong commitment to his community and a passion for service, Len brings decades of experience and leadership to his role.

More about Len …

Len graduated high school in 1975 and earned a Bachelor of Religious Education (B.R.E.) in 1981. His dedication to youth and community is evident in his 40+ years of work with youth groups in camps, churches, and schools. He has also coached and refereed junior and senior high basketball, volunteered as a firefighter, and participated in numerous mission trips to Mexico.

A skilled handyman and business owner, Len also works as a full-time bus driver for the Chinook School Division. His love for hands-on projects extends to woodworking, which is one of his favorite pastimes, along with fishing, big game hunting, and enjoying spy, murder, and mystery novels.

Family is central to Len’s life. Married to his wife Jan for 45 years, they’ve lived in six different locations (three in Alberta and three in Saskatchewan), resided in 13 homes, and driven 16 vehicles together. They are proud parents of five married children and doting grandparents to 16 grandchildren, ranging from 1.5 to 20 years old.

Len is a fan of historical war movies, withBattle of the Pacific(Midway) being one of his favorites. He looks forward to continuing his service on Council, contributing to the growth and well-being of Maple Creek.

Thursday, April 30 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (SK Time)

Not every community needs a large, centralized composting facility to start diverting organics. This webinar explores practical, lower-volume solutions that can grow over time, making them ideal for small and mid-sized Saskatchewan communities. We’ll look at approaches such as community-scale composting, modular systems, and other flexible models that allow programs to start small and expand as participation increases. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to match composting infrastructure to their community’s size, capacity, and long-term goals.

Presenters:

Town of Birch Hills – Keeping it Simple:

Keith Matheson has been a councillor for the Town of Birch Hills for many years. He is a founding member of North Central Saskatchewan Waste Management Corporation, his area’s recycling entity. Keith is also a founding member of the Association of Regional Waste Management Authorities of Sask. He is still involved with both organizations and also sits on the Saskatchewan Solid Waste Advisory Committee.

Meadow Lake – Multiple Approaches:

Hasan Akhtar is the Director of Public Works for the City of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, where he oversees municipal infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and public services. He holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA, and brings a collaborative approach to community-centered solutions. Hasan is currently advancing Meadow Lake’s composting program through partnerships with Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Protex Environmental, with a focus on creating economically and environmentally sustainable uses for organic waste.

Community Composting: Small Scale Successes:

More about Aaron …

Aaron began his career as a landfill operator near Saskatoon and quickly advanced into supervisory roles due to his operational expertise and leadership skills. In 2018, he took on the challenge of managing a composting operation in subarctic conditions, overseeing the year-round processing of source-separated organics (SSO) and food waste through harsh prairie winters. He is a certified PME trainer in Saskatchewan and brings extensive knowledge in material processing equipment, infrastructure development, and site safety. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta, majoring in Religious Studies with a minor in Theology—a background that adds a sense of purpose and perspective to his work in sustainability, stewardship, and community impact. One of his proudest accomplishments is leading the safest division in his previous company while mentoring a high-performing team—a testament to his commitment to both operational excellence and people development.

At Sustainable Generation®, Aaron focuses on expanding high-performance composting solutions across Canada, demonstrating that SG’s systems can thrive even in the most extreme climates. He is passionate about proving that sustainable organics recycling is not only possible but practical in every province and territory.

Outside of work, Aaron is an avid fitness enthusiast and self-proclaimed gym rat who applies the same discipline and drive from the gym to his work in the field—constantly pushing for better performance, precision, and results.

Diverting to Farms: Another possibility

Rob Heggie, Eskdale Seed Farms, was raised on his family’s farm near Leross. He has a two-year Ag diploma from the U of S. Rob’s first crop was in 1975 and first pedigreed seed crop in 1979. They built their first seed cleaning plant 1981, second in 1997 and third in 2001. The farm has grown to 7500 acres, of which 1000 acres is certified organic.

Starting with their first composting trial in 2018, the farm now produces 500-800 mt of compost annually. They use the compost mostly on the organic acres and sub-par conventional acres.

Rob and his wife Cres have two sons and a daughter — Kyle joined the farm operation in 2004, Joel in 2008.

Thursday, May 7 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (SK Time)

Curbside green cart programs are becoming an increasingly common way for communities to divert organic waste from landfill. In this webinar, representatives from Saskatchewan communities with established programs will share their experiences implementing and operating curbside organics collection. Speakers will discuss what worked, what they would do differently, and key considerations for communities thinking about taking this step. Participants will gain practical insights into program design, resident participation, and the operational realities of running a curbside organics program.

Presenters:

Saskatoon’s Curbside Organics Program — Results & Lessons Learned

Daniel Mireault is a waste diversion project manager with the City of Saskatoon. He has worked on a variety of waste diversion initiatives for the City. Most recently, Daniel started working on a plan to implement multi-family organics diversion city wide. He has served on Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council’s Board and been involved with many waste diversion organizations in Saskatchewan. Daniel holds a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo. In his free time he enjoys the 3Rs – reading, running, and recycling.

Regina’s Curbside Organics Journey

Willow Iorga is the Coordinator of Education and Outreach for the City of Regina’s Water, Waste, and Environment Department. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Regina and has over 10 years of experience teaching children and adults in various educational settings. She later transitioned into program supervision, leading community initiatives that promote sustainability and waste reduction. With a strong background in research, community engagement, and program development, Willow is passionate about fostering environmental awareness and empowering residents to take action for a greener Regina.

More presenters to come!