Justin Crann
From left to right: Mayor Glenn Hagel, Minister of the Environment Ken Cheveldayoff, MLA Greg Lawrence (Moose Jaw-Wakamow), plant employees Chris Friebus and Danny Rach, and MLA Warren Michelson (Moose Jaw North).
By Justin Crann
The Moose Jaw SARCAN recycling collection facility celebrated the conclusion of a major expansion and extensive renovations with a number of government officials on Thursday.
“This was one of the very first facilities in the province,” said environment minister Ken Cheveldayoff. “To see how far it’s come and to see the expanded facilities, how bright and inviting it is here. . . it is, indeed, one of the proud things that we have in our province.”
The facility on Manitoba Street East had been undergoing renovations for several months, but remained open, said Kevin Acton, SARCAN director of operations, who also noted that in the month of July alone, over 1.5 million containers were collected at the Moose Jaw plant.
Cheveldayoff was quick to underline the significance of SARCAN Moose Jaw’s operations to the city.
“The amount of aluminum recycled at the Moose Jaw facility saves enough electricity to power every house in Moose Jaw for 10 years,” he said. “Since ‘88, when your depot first opened, 221 million beverage containers have been recycled (here).”
The operation, which employs a large number of people with disabilities, was one of the pioneering SARCAN facilities in the province.
“I don’t think (it) was the very first SARCAN plant to be open, but it was one of the absolute first in the province,” said Mayor Glenn Hagel.
“It’s just indicative of being a progressive community and a place that cares about quality of employment for our citizens as well.”
Today, SARCAN operates 71 depots and two processing plants across the province and is a year shy of 25 years in operation with the support of the provincial government.
For every hour those depots operate in the province, they divert 166 thousand beverage containers from landfills, Acton said.
“Saskatchewan people drink really well,” he said. “Thank goodness, they also recycle really well.”
“You can’t help but think about the foresight of the government at that time, to come up with an idea where you provide employment opportunities for very special individuals as well as contributing to recycling in our province,” Cheveldayoff said.
“Saskatchewan’s return rate is more than 87 per cent, one of the highest in North America. And that’s something we can all be proud of.”
Justin Crann
