Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management initiated the Municipal Solid Waste Management Assistance Program in 1992 in response to the outcome of public consultation in which municipalities and government recommended exploring regional waste management systems as an option for cost effectively managing waste. The Regional Authority of Carlton Trail was chosen as a pilot project for Saskatchewan to determine the feasibility of other municipal regional waste management systems within the province. Due to the success of REACT, there are at this time 17 regional waste authorities in Saskatchewan who have built systems unique to their own waste management circumstances.

REACT went into operation September 3, 1996 as the first fully integrated regional solid waste management system in the province. In 1996, there were 16 urban and 10 rural municipalities with a population base of approximately 19,000. Today, REACT serves 31 urban and 16 rural municipalities with a population of approximately 26,000. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities in 2009 chose REACT as one of the top nine municipal entities across Canada for successful waste management diversion and partnerships that included 47 municipalities covering over 11,400 square kilometers. REACT received the Saskatchewan Municipal Award in 2010 for Regional Leadership and Partnerships. Municipal governments and colleges with environmental programs within the province continue to tour our facilities for education on the benefits of belonging to a regional waste management system.

It all starts here! REACT's philosophy is to divert as much waste as possible from landfill. This is done by dividing the waste stream into 1) recycling and 2) waste. We operate one of the most comprehensive recycle programs in the province. We have 33 recycle depots throughout the district, with one or more being placed in nearly every urban community. Each recycle centre now accepts multi-stream recycling which allows residents to drop off their household plastics, tin, newsprint, magazines (glossy paper), office paper and box board/cardboard into designated bins. We ask that glass and plastic be put into your household garbage. Please refer to our recycling brochure to get a detailed list of what you can recycle. All recycle centers are serviced on a regular basis and the material is then taken to our processing centre in Humboldt where it is baled and sent off to market.

REACT provides door to door residential waste collection in all 31 urban communities. Towns and villages can sign up for automated waste and recycling cart collection at a very affordable cost or use the tag-a-bag system. Residents with the tag-a-bag system must place a yellow tag on their 77 litre can or bag in order for it to be picked up. The directions are labeled directly on the yellow tag and must be placed to the front street for 7:00am. These waste tags can be purchased at various locations in your community. For more information, please refer to the tag guidelines under 'Services'. Residents with the automated curbside cart program must have their cart to the front street on their designated pickup day for 7:00am. All household recycling can be placed in the depot bins at no charge. Backyard composting can save residents money and provide a valuable soil amendment. REACT encourages you to check with your town office for backyard composting incentives that your town or village may offer.

REACT operates 18 transfer stations and 2 landfills. These sites are where the public takes the bulk of their garbage. REACT encourages further separation of waste such as wood, metal, compost, and cement at these sites to divert as much as possible from the landfill. Clean wood, tree branches and compost can be placed on piles free of charge for residential. A minimal fee will apply to commercial businesses. Used motor oil, motor oil containers/pails, filters and grain bags can be taken to landfills at no charge.