SASKATOON -- City Council has asked city administration to reverse a decision to delay the annual switch to weekly waste collection because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While meeting on Wednesday, council voted 6-5 in favour of implementing weekly garbage collection.

Collections are typically every week from May to the end of September and on a bi-weekly basis from October to the end of April.

But in a news release sent Tuesday afternoon, city administration had said it would postpone the switch in light of the pandemic.

“Increasing staffing levels for weekly collections would add to personnel congestion and require extensive close-contact training in and around vehicles and equipment at a time when physical distancing is a priority,” the city said in the release.

In the release, the city said the measures would help to cut down on the "number of unique exposures with potentially contaminated waste containers."

Some councillors felt city administration should have approached council for approval before making the decision to reduce garbage collection service levels.

Coun. Darren Hill said there are ways to maintain physical distancing, including staggering start times for staff and limiting interactions.

"We heard that there is a concern that maybe they interact with other employees during dumping at the landfill. Well that’s easily accommodated by putting policies and procedures in place to ensure that it doesn't happen.”

Hill said any service level changes need to come to council.

Coun. Cynthia Block said it’s important to understand the budget pressures the city will be under before changing administration's decision.

City administration also decided not to close roads after calls were made to designate sections of roadway for pedestrians and cyclists for physical distancing. Block said as warmer weather comes, there will be challenges.

"I wouldn't want to say what the best answer is. I do have concerns about what we are doing at this point. I see safety issues on our bridges particularly with cyclists and pedestrians sharing those pedestrian walkways.”

City council is expecting a future report outlining safety considerations for cyclists and pedestrians.

The city is also asking residents to help protect the health and safety of staff and recycling partners and reduce the spread of COVID-19 by following these guidelines:

  • Bag your garbage
  • Do not place loose used tissues and napkins in your bin as they can become wind-blown when the lid opens during collection
  • Do not discard used protective gloves or masks on the ground; place these items in a bag and dispose in household or black bin garbage
  • Do not overfill your carts or leave loose items on the ground
  • If you are sick, place any item that has come into contact with your mouth, nose or eyes into the garbage - even recyclables such as water bottles, pop cans and milk cartons.
  • Ensure accessible cart placement to avoid manual handling by the driver and return your cart to your property after collection.