Multi-family properties do not automatically receive garbage, recycling, and composting services from the City of Regina. It is the responsibility of the property manager or owner to contract a waste hauler. The Waste Management Bylaw mandates that all multi-family properties must offer waste and recycling disposal services to their tenants. Starting Jan 1, 2025, multi-family property owners/ managers will also be obligated to provide food and yard waste services to their tenants, which includes food and yard waste collection, in addition to garbage and recycling services.
Waste Management Plan Form
As a multi-family property owner or manager, you will need to submit a waste plan to the City each year. Resources have been provided to assist you in establishing a recycling program and a food and yard waste program that complies with The Waste Management Bylaw and is user-friendly for tenants.
Multi-family Waste Diversion Tips
By implementing a food and yard waste program, you can increase your diversion rate, sending less waste to the landfill. Refer to The Waste Management Bylaw, section 37 for information on proper waste bin management and minimum collection requirements.
Bylaw 2012-63: https://www.regina.ca/bylaws-permits-licences/bylaws/Waste-Management-Bylaw/
Below are some tips on how to provide effective recycling and composting programs for your tenants.
There are five steps to follow for an effective waste diversion program:
1. Decide who will provide the collection service.
2. Make sure you accept the right materials.
3. Decide where to store garbage, recycling, and composting bins.
4. Inform your tenants about your program.
5. Submit your information annually to the City of Regina via our website.
Resources are available to help you inform your tenants about your recycling and food and yard waste programs, along with some helpful tips to set up or improve these programs.
- Place recycling and food and yard waste bins in convenient areas for your tenants. Access to these bins should be as convenient as possible. Collaborate with your recycling and food and yard waste hauler(s) to identify locations near common areas frequently visited by residents. Where feasible, position recycling and food and yard waste bins alongside garbage bins.
- Maintain the collection area's cleanliness. It is your responsibility to ensure the collection area remains tidy for tenants. Keeping this area clean and using appropriate signage helps reduce contamination in the recycling and food and yard waste bins.
- Offer educational resources. Provide tenants with informational handouts, display signage throughout the complex, and offer tours of the collection area to ensure tenants understand how to correctly use the recycling and food and yard waste bins.
- Recycle glass materials. The City has partnered with SARCAN Recycling to offer residents an additional option for recycling non-refundable glass containers to enhance Regina's waste diversion rate. Glass is a challenging material to recover from co-mingled recycling and composting bins due to potential breakage. Glass taken to SARCAN ensures that the containers remain intact and are recycled.
Reminder: Please rinse out jars. Metal and plastic lids can be placed loosely in your blue cart.
Recycling and Composting Hauler(s)
Similar to contracting a garbage hauler, property owners or managers have the option to select from various companies to secure recycling and food and yard waste collection services. It is a requirement that your chosen recycling and food and yard waste hauler(s) collect, at a minimum, the same recyclable and organic items as the City's curbside recycling https://www.regina.ca/home-property/recycling-garbage/recycling/#outline-blue-cart-recycling-program and compost programs https://www.regina.ca/home-property/recycling-garbage/food-yard-waste/. Multi-family properties are not permitted to utilize the City's recycling depots (Big Blue Bins).
For a list of recycling haulers, please visit saskwastereduction.ca.
Haulers in Regina, include but are not limited to:
- Local Environmental Services Saskatchewan
- Emterra Group
- Super Save Group
- Loraas Disposal
- GFL Environmental
- Environmental 360 Solutions
Make sure you check with your current hauler if they can facilitate the new services before contacting a new one.
Education Material
We are here to help educate your tenants! Providing consistent and visible signage throughout your building(s) helps tenants properly sort their recycling, food and yard waste and garbage. Signs will also reduce contamination and encourages waste diversion. Below are free resources and signage to download and use in your building(s).
- Recycle Here Poster (8.5x11)
- Recycle Here Poster (11x17)
- Recycling Items Poster (8.5 x 11)
- Recycling Items Poster (11x17)
- Compost Here Poster (8.5x11)
- Compost Here Poster (11x17)
- Compost Items Poster (8.5x11)
- Compost Items Poster (11x17)
Check off the items that are accepted in your recycling program.
Post the signage throughout your building(s) and on the recycling bins.
Check off the items that are accepted in your garbage and recycling bins.
Hand the letter out to your tenants.
For questions or concerns, please contact Service Regina at 306-777-7000.
Annual Reminders
To receive an annual reminder please ensure your mailing address is correct. To change your corporation mailing address:
- Visit ISC to request a Change of Address for Service.
- Once the address has been changed at ISC’s corporate registry, send a copy of the Corporate Registry Profile report that shows the new address for service to 1Assess@Regina.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which building belongs to which civic address?This should be listed on your property tax notice. You can also contact the City of Regina Taxation & Assessment Department to find out.
My annual letter is missing properties I own or listed properties I do not own.
Property owners must update their information with Information Services Corporation (ISC) AND the City of Regina. Incomplete or outdated information may cause incorrect information sent to owners (including variations on C/O or mailing address information).
I need to update my mailing address.
Visit ISC to request a Change of Address for Service. Once the address has been changed in ISC’s corporate registry, simply send a copy of the Corporate Registry Profile Report that shows the new address for service to 1Assess@Regina.ca.
I don’t own/manage the property(ies) listed on the letter I received.
You may disregard the letter if you have updated your information with the City of Regina and ISC.
I already submitted a Waste Management Plan to the City.
We ask that you submit a plan annually to keep your information as up-to-date as possible. You may receive a letter/follow-up if you submit an incomplete plan.
What are the upcoming changes to the Waste Management Bylaw, and when do they take effect? The upcoming changes to the Waste Management Bylaw 2012-63 will require multi-family properties to implement a food and yard waste service starting July 1, 20241. The bylaw mandates the separation of food and yard waste from general garbage to promote sustainability and reduce landfill waste.
Multi-families have been required to have recycling services since 2013.
Which properties are affected by this bylaw? The bylaw applies to multi-family properties, including apartments, condominiums, townhouse complexes, co-ops, and similar residential structures that do not receive City waste services.
Why is the City implementing this bylaw? The bylaw is designed to address environmental issues caused by food and yard waste in landfills, such as methane gas production and wasted landfill space. By separating food and yard waste, the City aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, extend the life of the landfill, and create nutrient-rich compost for gardening and agriculture.
How can multi-family properties comply with the new bylaw? To comply with the bylaw, multi-family property owners should:
- Contact Your Waste Hauler: Discuss integrating food and yard waste services into existing waste management systems.
- Establish a Food and Yard Waste Service Contract: Work with your waste hauler to establish a contract and submit an updated waste plan to the City of Regina for approval.
- Place Food and Yard Waste Containers: Position designated containers or carts for food and yard waste in convenient locations on your property.
- Notify Occupants: Inform residents about the upcoming changes to their waste services and provide guidance on proper sorting practices.
Where can I find resources to implement a food and yard waste service? The City of Regina will have a guide available to assist multi-family property owners in implementing a food and yard waste service on Regina.ca/multifamily
What if my current waste hauler does not provide food and yard waste services? If your current waste hauler does not offer food and yard waste services, the City provides a list of haulers that do. Visit Regina.ca/multifamily to find an alternative waste hauler.
Are there alternative ways to manage food and yard waste without large bins? Yes, if large food and yard waste carts are impractical, consider using countertop composters or other small-scale composting solutions. These can be especially useful for smaller multi-family properties or apartments without outdoor space. It is important to note that the byproduct of the countertop units must be composted, not landfilled.
How can I educate my building's occupants about the new waste services? To engage your residents in the new food and yard waste service, consider:
- Holding "lobby talks" or workshops to explain the program.
- Sending email reminders, letters, or using social media to communicate the changes.
- Providing practical guidance on storing food waste in their units and offering discounted or recommended bins for convenience.
For additional guidance and resources, contact the City at wastediversionservices@regina.ca.