Paper and packaging recycling continued to preoccupy us in 2025. Regina, Melfort and Weyburn decided to go with SK Recycle’s (SKR) community-led option and have adopted SKR’s accepted materials list. Saskatoon and Estevan have opted for program-led, they’ll turn over their operations to SKR starting in 2028. SKR developed guidelines for its Phase 2 communities and started working on Phase 3 (depots). Still much work to be done …
The new Electronics Recycling regulations passed October 1st. They add cell phones, small appliances, power tools and electric outdoor equipment to the program. No word yet on implementation dates.
SARCAN opened new depots in Estevan and July this year and Product Care & City of North Battleford opened a Household Hazardous Waste depot.
The Ministry Compost Facility Code Chapter came into effect in May after a long incubation period. (They started looking at this in 2018). Other than yard waste operations that accept less than 100 cubic meters of materials a year, all compost facilities must have a permit.
After struggling in 2024 with how to handle compost processing for their green cart programs, both Saskatoon and Regina have figured things out. Saskatoon is constructing its own composting facility near the landfill. Construction will start in the spring 2026, with the facility expected to be operational in 2027. Regina signed an agreement with Awasis Organic to establish a facility that will convert green cart materials to biochar, which they anticipate will be operational in the fall of 2026.
The Ministry of Environment cracked open the 1986 Municipal Refuse Management Regulations and has begun consulting on how they might be upgraded. Initial thoughts include applying them to all waste management facilities and all waste types, providing flexible compliance options, reviewing the requirements for qualified persons and requiring landfill operators to be certified. More on this to come in 2026.
The province’s Solid Waste Management Strategy is up for renewal and the Ministry has begun consultations on what should change or be added. More on this in 2026 as well.
After a late Cabinet shuffle, we have another new end-of-year Environment Minister. Darlene Rowden, MLA for Batoche, took the reins mid-December.
