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SARC Annual Report 2015-2016
We strive for continuous improvement in our environmental performance. As a leader in environmental protection in Saskatchewan, we recognize the need to continuously lower our impact on the environment. We are actively reducing our energy usage, including switching to more energy efficient buildings and phasing in electric forklifts in place of propane models. These efforts helped us to achieve a 13% reduction in natural gas and 2% reduction in electricity consumption over the previously year. SARCAN is also lowering its emissions and fuel consumption through better beverage container compaction equipment and improved trailer loading techniques. As a result, SARCAN’s greenhouse gas emissions reduced 2.3% from last year, and have lowered 12.6% over the past 4 years. As a leader in waste diversion, SARCAN is also addressing the volume of waste we send to landfill. This year saw our depots and processing plants begin recycling streams for beverage container caps and our internal clear plastic bags and film.
We seek to educate Saskatchewan on the importance of recycling. As a leading authority on the field of recycling in 64 communities, SARCAN annually hosts over 60 tours of depots and plants for schools and community groups. Our resources for teachers include our depot tours, a video walkthrough of the recycling process, and lesson plans on recycling. We have forged partnerships in the education sector with the Saskatchewan Environmental Society and Student Action for Sustainable Future to encourage teachers throughout Saskatchewan to include recycling as an important part of their teachings. SARCAN also continues to educate the public through our membership in Recycle Saskatchewan and through our support for the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council.