Regina Executive Committee Votes to Move Trash, Recycling and Compost Services to User-Pay Model

The City of Regina Executive Committee has spoken out on how much it thinks Regina residents should pay for garbage collection services as the new green composter is introduced in Regina.

At Wednesday’s meeting, the executive committee voted unanimously to approve an option that would see green, blue and brown bin collections all paid for by user fees rather than property taxes.

« All of these options are going to cost us more money, » Ward told 8 Coun. Shanon Zachidniak. « There is no option that will cost less for new waste diversion and if we don’t do it right we will pay again later with new landfill. »

Recycling is currently paid for by user fees charged on monthly utility bills, while garbage is paid for by property taxes.

The new recommendations include that all garbage collections become subject to user fees at a cost of $0.53/day or $193.45 per year for a 240L garbage cart and $0.78/day or $284.70 per year for a 360 L garbage cart. This fee covers all three bins.

Fees are expected to begin in January 2024, at the same time as the new compost cart is introduced.

Under the proposal, residents will be able to choose between the current 360-litre garbage cart or a smaller 240-litre cart for a lower fee.

City Council will have the final vote on the proposal at next week’s meeting.

The executive committee’s discussion on Wednesday also focused on how the new system will help divert waste to the city landfill and extend its life cycle.

Regina’s waste diversion rate has remained at approximately 20% since 2015. The city’s goal is to see the waste diversion rate increase to 65% and extend the life of the municipal landfill.

A new landfill would cost, according to the municipal administration, « more than 100 million dollars ».

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