The amount of trash left behind at Saskatoon summer festivals is cause for change, a new environmental report argues.
Seventy-one per cent of materials sent to the landfill this summer after four major festivals — the Jazz, Pride and Fringe festivals as well as Canada Day celebrations — could have been recycled, according to the report by the city’s environmental advisory committee.
“Everyone went in knowing that when you go in looking for ways to make things better, you’re going to find things that obviously aren’t perfect at the beginning,” said Brenda Wallace with Saskatoon’s environmental services.
Researchers examined over 40 kilograms of waste created during the events, breaking down the materials into categories such as paper, plastic, aluminum, glass and contaminated recycling material — material that is soiled by food, rain or other liquids but can still be recycled.
“Separating materials by category allowed researchers to identify recycling opportunities,” the report read.
Just over 44 per cent of festival waste landed in the contaminated recycling category. Only 29 per cent was trash.
“Often we finish half of our meal and throw the container away,” said city councillor Mairin Loewen. “I didn’t realize that by cleaning off that container, it could be recycled.”
The report recommended festivals implement recycling policies, consider composting and abandon bottled water. Some cities have started eliminating disposables.
“They’ve gone to reusable plates. People pay a $2 deposit or something like that and, when they’re done with their plate, they take it back. They get their $2 deposit back and volunteers or whoever do the dishes,” said Joanne Fedyk with the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council.
The report states, with the recommendations, Saskatoon could host a zero-waste event within 10 years.
