The benefits of composting in our community

Composting is the process of breaking down organics (such as grass clippings, garden plant materials, and dried leaves) into a rich soil amendment.

As waste volumes increase, the space at the landfill decreases. Keeping organic waste out of the landfill reduces the strain on garbage collection systems and increases the lifespan of landfills.

From 2011 to 2021 the City observed a 57% increase in in-city refuses from May to October relative to the rest of the year. During the summer of 2022, waste audits were completed of in-city refuse and we found that organic material (yard and food waste) made up 52% of the total refuse by weight. This compost material mixed in with garbage cannot be sorted and reused.

By working together, clean organic material can be turned into compost which can be used for future projects.

There are many ways you as a resident can participate in composting:

1. Start a backyard composting bin for grass, leaves, food scraps and garden waste
2. Have an indoor composting pail in your kitchen for food scraps
3. Take your grass, leaves and garden waste to one of our two composting depots

For more information and tips, visit the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council’s composting page.

Compost locations

We have two locations within Yorkton that residents can bring their grass clippings, leaves and garden waste.

RecyclAbility Enterprises located at 180 Ball Road

This location is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. During the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., please proceed to the office before unloading your materials.

Yorkton Landfill

This location is open Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Compostable material is taken free of charge, but must be taken out of bags at the site. 

Since the City started taking organics, tonnage has increased from 57 tonnes in 2019 to 160.76 tonnes in 2022 - a 280% increase! This total includes 7.95 Metric Tonnes of material the compost bin that RecyclAbility operates for collection of grass, leaves and garden waste.

What happens if the compost brought in is contaminated with large branches?

Contaminated loads lead to dirty compost which greatly reduces the quality. If there is large branches within the compost piles, it takes much longer for the compost to break down, therefore we would need to create an extra process screening the pile to remove the contamination.

Organics Pilot Program

In the spring of 2021, all Yorkton residents were invited to take part in an organics survey. Of the respondents, 64% voted in favour of an organics collection program with an additional 26% responding 'maybe depending on cost.' The City has also received several resident inquiries regarding interest in a curbside organics program.

At the December 19, 2022, Council Meeting, Council approved the option for Environmental Services to proceed with the residential organics collection pilot program in 2023. In February 2023, 400 residences were selected to participate in the residential curbside organics collection program.

To learn more about the program go to shapeyourcity.yorkton.ca/organics.

Thank you to residents for your contribution in our collective efforts to foster an environmentally sustainable community. Your commitment to recycling compost, which will be utilized for forthcoming City projects, is truly appreciated.