Saskatoon signs new recycling deal with Loraas, coffee cups and black plastic no longer allowed

The City of Saskatoon has struck a new recycling collection deal, in effect until the end of 2027, withLoraas Disposal Services.

The new deal will see residents' recycling rates increase over the next two years by $1.82 per month for houses and $0.75 per month for multi-dwelling units.

Black plastics and some polycoat products like coffee cups will no longer be accepted.Some tetrapakmaterial like juice boxes or milk cartons are still accepted because they can be recycled through SARCAN.

"An ideal scenario would have us accepting all recyclable material and maintaining the rates for our residents, but unfortunately the market is dictating otherwise," saidRuss Munro, director of water andwaste operations, for the City of Saskatoon in a press release.

The city said the change in acceptable material was due to"increased pressures and shifts in the global recycling market."

The value of the products is decreasing, meaningprocessors have little incentive to continue selling them. Although these materials only make up two per cent of Saskatoon's recycling, they are still viewed as contaminants.

Munro said Saskatoon will be better off financially than other prairie cities with similar programs as a result of the changes.

The new deal will also mean an increase in the monthly curbside residential recycling rate from $5.65 in 2019 to$7.38 next year to $7.47 in 2021, pending approval from council.

The monthly multi-unit residential recycling rate is also increasing,from $3.11 in 2019 to $3.71 next year to $3.86 in 2021, also after council approval.

The city says its contract with Cosmopolitan Industries will not change and will run through 2023.