The Environmental Services branch of the City of Moose Jaw Engineering Department is responsible for managing the collection and disposal of solid waste within the City and administers the blue bin recycling program (both residential and bulk bins).
The landscape of waste and recycling collection and disposal has changed dramatically in the past decade due to an ongoing shift in practices aimed at responsible environmental stewardship.
The City of Moose Jaw is committed to continuing and enhancing our collection practices and we are asking for your help to ensure a practical, responsible program.
In a 2018 survey commissioned by the City of Moose Jaw, a large majority of residents responded that it was “Very Important” for the City’s Waste Management Plan to focus on:
• Preventing organics and recyclables from going to the landfill.
• Decreasing how much garbage is sent to the landfill.
• Reducing the environmental impact through waste management practices.

Did You KNOW?
The City of Moose Jaw’s recycling program diverts* over 1.48 million kilograms of recyclable material each year.
*_{Material that otherwise would have gone to the landfill.}

There are several ways you can manage your waste and recycling efficiently and responsibly.
The diagrams below show that over 75% of green bin material taken to the Moose Jaw landfill can actually be diverted to other streams (recycling, compost, etc.).

The City of Moose Jaw Landfill
OPERATING HOURS
April 1 – October 31
Monday-Saturday: 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
November 1 – March 31
Monday-Saturday: 7:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
The Landfill is closed Christmas and New Year’s Day

Did You KNOW?
In addition to the blue bin recycling program the City of
Moose Jaw has bulk recycling bins on the 1000 block of High
Street West between the City Complex and Yara Centre. Any
recyclable cardboard and plastic materials are accepted.

A common misconception is that any piece of plastic or paper is recyclable and can be thrown in the blue bin. That’s not the case. It can take less than a minute to “Hesitate – then Separate”. Simply assess your pile and figure out what is garbage and what can be recycled. Here’s a look at what is and isn’t accepted in the recycling stream.

We’ve all heard that single-use plastic bags are bad for the environment. What does “bad” really mean?

• Single-use plastic bags take a long time to break down in landfills and when they do, they turn into toxic micro-plastics that can leech into municipal water systems.
• They take large amounts of energy to produce.
• Unsightly – they contribute to litter.
  In fall of 2019 Moose Jaw City Council passed a resolution asking all stakeholders (residents and businesses) to implement a voluntary ban on single-use plastic bags. Further, the federal government has announced a pending ban on single-use plastics that could take effect as early as 2023 (it was additionally planned to begin in 2022 but the government will conduct consultation before implementation). Many Moose Jaw grocery stores offer a recycling container for single-use plastic bags and most offer alternatives to single-use bags, but what is the best option?

The Best Bag for Your Environmental Buck
There are options to single-use plastic bags, but which provides the most practical use while minimizing the environmental impact? A 2006
international study on the lifecycle of shopping bags measured how many times different types of bags would have to be re-used in order to emit less
greenhouse gases than what is used in the creation of a single-use plastic bag.

Paper – Three
• Non-woven PP – 11
• Cotton – 131
Paper is not very durable and getting at least three uses out of a bag would be difficult. Cotton is durable but is very harmful to the environment to produce and requires significant use to realize the benefit.
The non-woven polypropylene bags make the most practical and environmental sense as they can be used significantly more than 11 times.
Best of all, they can be thrown in the blue recycling bin when they have reached their end of life. (Simply cut off the straps.)

When you buy a new item, sell or donate the old one if it’s still in good condition.

• Clothes, furniture, toys and electronics are just some of the items that would hold value for others if still in good condition.
• Donating to the Salvation Army or other non-profit groups is always an option. Or, you can sell to consignment stores, online
  marketplaces, etc.
• Electronics and paint can be taken to SARCAN for recycling purposes.

Did You KNOW?
Going “green” doesn’t just refer to being environmentally friendly.
Generate cash by returning beverage containers (aluminum, plastic and
glass) to SARCAN for a deposit refund.

Did You KNOW?
You can drop off automotive oil,
filters, antifreeze and their containers
year-round for free at the Moose Jaw Landfill

The City of Moose Jaw reminds residents that the second of two Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection days scheduled for 2022 is Saturday, August 27.  

From 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on April 9, Moose Jaw residents are invited to safely dispose of unwanted chemicals and other hazardous materials from their households, free of charge, at the City Complex, 1010 High St. West. 

Among materials accepted: 

• Aerosol Cans (Hair Spray, deodorant, household cleaners etc.)
• Liquid household cleaners
• Batteries (Lithium ion, alkaline, rechargeable etc.)
• Light bulbs (Fluorescent, LED, metal halide etc.)

The City of Moose Jaw reminds residents that you can dispose of oil, oil filters, oil containers and antifreeze free of charge at the City landfill during regular hours of operation.

According to the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council (SWRC) Household Hazardous Wastes refers to “chemical products in your home such as cleaners, paint thinners, sprays, and pesticides.”

• They can be a potential danger to you, your family, and the environment. Most of us have a variety of these products stored in our cupboards, closets, or garages.
• Products that are emptied down the drain or into storm sewers can contaminate water.
• Other examples of HHW are lightbulbs, batteries and aerosol cans.
• Hazardous products put in the garbage typically make up less than one percent of the waste stream but their presence in landfills has the potential to do more harm than the other 99 percent.

How Do I Dispose of HHW?

• Seal containers securely (screw tops, paint lids, etc).
• Don’t put items in tied plastic bags; instead, transport in open topped boxes.
• Bring the materials in the trunk of your car to be safe.
• Please make sure all propane tanks have the valves closed and that there is plenty of ventilation in your vehicle.
• We recommend that you wear gloves when handling products.
  What If I Can’t Wait For Household Hazardous Waste Day?
  If you have any questions about how to dispose of hazardous
  material you can visit MooseJaw.ca
  How Can I Reduce the Amount of Hazardous Waste in My Home?
• Choose non-toxic alternatives to hazardous products.
• Use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones.
• LED light bulbs are a mercury-free alternative to fluorescent lights and are extremely long-lasting and energy efficient.
• When buying things like light bulbs, batteries, thermometers, etc., select a mercury-free option.

Did You KNOW?
The City of Moose Jaw holds two
Household Hazardous Waste days each
year (spring/late summer). You can
dispose of your hazardous materials free
of charge at the City Complex, where it
will be safely collected and disposed of
by a professional, third-party contractor.

Composting is an environmentally friendly, economical and simple way to handle organic waste such as kitchen scraps, leaves, and grass clippings. Compost is rich in nutrients and acts as a soil conditioner, improving the soil’s drainage and ability to hold water.
It’s estimated that approximately a third of waste generated is compostable. When organic waste ends up in landfills it breaks down in an oxygen-poor environment and produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting this material instead prevents methane production, extends the life of our landfill and produces valuable compost to enrich our soils.

There are many composting methods to choose from. The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council has information on several composting options and a compost quiz to help you determine which method is right for you, found here:
www.saskwastereduction.ca/recycle/resources/composting/
The City of Moose Jaw sells subsidized rain barrels and compost bins ($25 each) through the Public Works Dept. For more details call: 306-694-4448.

Did You KNOW?
The City of Moose Jaw designates
one weekend each Spring and Fall
as “Free Yard Waste Weekend”,
allowing residents to haul all of their
organic yard waste (grass clippings,
leaves and tree branches no larger
than 1” in diameter) to the Sanitary
Landfill at no charge.

Is there a certain way my cart should be set out for collection?

Yes, on your designated collection day, place your cart as described below. The truck driver does not exit the vehicle: therefore, proper placement of the cart is essential.

FRONT STREET COLLECTION

How to place the cart on the street:

The cart must be placed with the wheels against, or as close as possible, to the curb. Do not place the cart on the sidewalk.

If there are snow banks along the curb, the cart can be placed out from the curb a little further. Do not place the cart on/behind a snow bank.

The cart should be no closer than three feet (1.0 meters) from any obstacle including other carts or parked vehicles.

If you live in a cul-de-sac, always arrange the carts from the centre of the circle towards the main street. The carts must all face the same direction and be spaced a minimum of three feet (1.0 meters) apart.

The carts must be placed on the power pole side of the rear lane with the wheels towards the fence. Don’t place the cart on the lane surface.  The cart should be no closer than 3 feet (1.0 meters) from any fence, power pole, building or obstacle.