Cudworth Town Council has served notice that it intends to withdraw from REACT Waste Management Services effective the end of this year. A letter, sent to Cudworth residents and to other participating communities in the REACT region, stated the withdrawal would be effective December 31, 2023. That date maintains the one-year notification requirement stipulated in the REACT constitution.

Cudworth Mayor Scott Friesen indicated it was a matter of rising costs, a need for competition in the space, and best meeting the needs of the community.

“Rising costs of everything - that’s kind of the way it’s going in every industry,” says Mayor Friesen. “I feel, as does the rest of council, that competition is a good thing.”

The community is looking at options, explains Friesen, one of which might be entertaining further discussions with REACT on pricing and services. He says the community is not looking at adopting its own system and landfill, but it is interested to see what other parties are out there. 

“Competition within the private sector is probably the way we would go, but we are looking forward to hearing proposals from REACT as well as their competition,”

Friesen says additional costs could come if the Wakaw Hoodoo Landfill needs to expand by opening an additional cell. He also is operating on the understanding that much of the cardboard recycling generated by communities in the region is ending up in the landfill. That’s also a concern.

A community letter citing costs associated with waste disposal included a 2022 levy of $22,000 for operations, a 5 year long commitment to supporting the LeRoy Landfill at a total cost of $125,000, and the prospect of a legacy fee. The fee would come into effect if the community opted out of the REACT agreement, as Friesen understands it.  

Friesen says the town surveyed the community about services and the majority were seeking curbside pickup and recycling. The majority were in favour of both, but Friesen notes that REACT does not currently provide curbside recycling. 

The future of waste management for the town is up in the air for the moment. REACT will continue to provide services for the coming year as Cudworth Town Council sorts out its options.