ANNUAL REPORT
2014-2015
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Safety-Centered Leadership - Page 12
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS SARC Board of Directors 2014-2015
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Message from the Executive Director and SARC Board President
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Organizational Profile
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Service Enhancements
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Building on Success
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Organizational Performance
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Financial Statements
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SARC Vision: “Persons of all abilities reaching their potential and enjoying full citizenship� SARC Mission: To provide vision, leadership, and support through advocacy, education, and the development of personal and employment opportunities.
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2014-2015
SARC BOARD OF DIRECTORS The SARC Board of Directors includes representatives from SARC Member Agencies across Saskatchewan and provides governance and leadership for the provincial association.
Gwen Loewen, North West Menno Homes of Saskatchewan, Inc.
Joe MacLeod, North West Columbian Industries, Inc.
Al Love, North Associate Canadian Deafblind Association - SK Chapter
Brian Haswell, South East Cosmopolitan Learning Centre, Inc.
Glen Holmwood, North East Porcupine Opportunities Program, Inc.
Shirely Sawatsky, South West Wheatland Regional Centre
Lionel Prefontaine, Treasurer External Appointment
Jim Frape, South East Pipestone Kin-Ability Centre, Inc.
Lynne Demeule, South Associate Cheshire Homes of Regina
Esther Redden, South West West Central Abilities, Inc.
Jim Jensen, North Manager Porcupine Opportunities Program, Inc.
Murray Baird, North East Kim Edmunds, South Pine Industries/Community Manager Service Centre West Central Abilities, Inc.
SARC Board Committees Executive Committee:
• Al Love • Brian Haswell • Lionel Prefontaine • Jim Frape • Shirley Sawatzky
SARCAN Committee:
• • • •
Jim Jensen Brian Haswell Joe MacLeod Shirley Sawatzsky
Member Services:
• Esther Redden • Glen Holmwood • Gwen Loewen • Kim Edmunds
Finance/Pension & Benefits:
• Lionel Prefontaine • Lynne Demeule • Jim Frape • Murray Baird
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2014-2015 saw the third year of our 2012-2016 Strategic Plan come into fruition with steady development in our four key theme areas: Training, Consulting, Services and Leadership you will see this vision start to become
organization. SARC offers this service
a reality. You will see how our four key
to our Members, and, last year, the
themes tie our projects together.
program was revitalized. So far, we have had seven Members and one other
Training
nonprofit organization take the session.
We have listened to our Members and
Amy McNeil Executive Director
Al Love Board President
As we look back on the past year at
our SARCAN employees about the
Leadership
importance of quality training. When
SARCAN Recycling experienced the
you have the right knowledge, tools and
highest return volume ever this year
information to do your job, you become
at 405.6 million beverage containers.
engaged and confident in your role.
This was not only an accomplishment
SARC, there is one theme that stands
in terms of sheer volume, but also in
out: realization. We have discussed, we
SARC Member Agencies have sent a
terms of efficiency. Gaining efficiencies,
have debated, we have envisioned and
record-breaking amount of staff to
as well as implementing measurement
we have planned - and now, we are
trainings, with 786 training spots filled.
and analysis tools is an important
seeing the reality of what that means.
theme for SARCAN, and the results are
For those of us who are big picture
SARCAN staff were trained on how
thinkers, the details are starting to be
to give great depot tours. They took
revealed. For those of us who are detail-
the information they received and
The development of strong leaders
oriented thinkers, we can now see an
made it their own. They are true
is essential to longevity. LEAP, SARC’s
aerial view of our accomplishments and
SARCAN ambassadors; not only are
new leadership development program,
how it all fits into the big picture.
they educating young people, but
enjoyed a successful first year with 23
they are demonstrating the value of
Graduates of the program.
When a strategic plan is created,
recycling in their communities across
it needs a solid frame. It needs to
Saskatchewan, each and every day.
withstand being picked apart, ripped
starting to materialize.
This year SARC’s commitment to safety was realized through the development
up, then put back together again.
Consulting
of the SARC Safety Management
It’s like a Rubik’s Cube. You turn it,
We worked with government to
Program (SSMP), a symposium on
twist it and jumble it up, knowing that
establish task teams for the CBO
safety, as well as the hiring of a Safety
eventually, with some persistence, it will
Sustainability Project. We will continue
Manager. Through these initiatives, we
all match up again.
to represent and engage with our
are setting the bar high for safe work
Membership in this very important work
practices, now, and into the future.
In the previous year, we celebrated
of securing a sustainable sector.
milestones and revitalized our brands.
As we reflect on these accomplishments
We recognized the importance of who
Services
we were, and what we’ve become -
Strategic Planning has become
the foundation for moving forward.
an instrumental tool to establish
Throughout this year’s Annual Report
long term goals and vision for an
we can see that momentum is building. The future is ours to develop!
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SARCAN RECYCLING
EDUCATION PROGRAM SARCAN’s new program informs Saskatchewan youth on the importance of recycling Throughout 2014-2015, SARCAN developed a new education program so students could learn about the importance of recycling, as outlined in the 2012-2016 Strategic Plan. The result is a three-pronged approach that encompasses all types of people who are learning, or teaching, about SARCAN.
For Students
A new section on the SARCAN website was designed for kids and features information on bottle drives, how to create a “green team” at your school and a new video called “How SARCAN Recycles: The Incredible Journey”. The video is a behind-the-scenes look at the journey a recycled beverage container goes on, from the time it arrives at SARCAN, to the processing plant, to secondary processing, where the materials are made into new, useful products. The video provides fun and interesting facts to keep viewers of all ages engaged.
For Educators
Fourteen lesson themes for teachers educating about recycling were developed and are available on the SARCAN website. The lessons integrate recycling into subject areas such as Arts, Math, Language Arts, Physical Education, Science, and Social Studies. Links to the Saskatchewan Education Curriculum Outcomes and Indicators are at the end of each theme so teachers can easily make connections with the lesson and the curriculum needs of their grade level.
For SARCAN Staff and Supervisors
A depot tour guide, including visuals like process flows, facts and statistics, were developed for depot supervisors and staff to use when they give tours. A tactile toolkit was also created for each depot that shows examples of what recycled materials look like in downstream processing from plastic flakes to glass beads to aluminum ingots. The tactile toolkits will also be made available for teachers to use through their school board’s resource centre in the fall of 2015.
Organizational Profile
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CARING CAREERS
OUT IN THE COMMUNITY Job seekers across Saskatchewan were introduced to potential jobs in the disability services sector through the Caring Careers Brand in 2014-2015 was involvement from a number of SARC Member Agencies who attended to promote working in the sector and interact directly with job seekers.
In the 2014-2015 year, SARC attended 11 career fairs across Saskatchewan to talk to students, professionals and other types of job seekers about Caring Careers and opportunities at SARC Member Agencies. SARC attended career fairs in many Saskatchewan communities to ensure a good cross-section of the population was able to learn about Caring Careers and jobs in the disability services sector. Career fairs were attended in Melfort, Rosetown, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina. We also organized the second annual job fair at Camp Easter Seals, which provided attending Member Agencies an opportunity to network and potentially hire the experienced camp staff in the off-season. At these career fairs, we promoted the Caring Careers website as a one-stop shop to students and job seekers as the place to go to apply for jobs in the sector. Many people were also interested in SARC and the services that we provide our Membership. What made these career fairs the most successful
For the second year in a row, SARC sponsored a table with four Direct Support Worker students at the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Business & Industry Dinner. The proceeds from the dinner go to supporting scholarships and bursaries for Saskatchewan Polytechnic students, and the event provided another valuable opportunity to engage one-on-one with students interested in our sector’s career opportunities.
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BEST PRACTICES The 2014-2015 year involved a lot of work towards our priorities outlined in the 2012-2016 Strategic Plan in the areas of Strengthening Leadership Services and Building Leadership and Skill within Direct Support. Within these priorities the objectives of implementing the Leadership Excellence Advancement Program (LEAP) as well as establishing resources and supports specifically aimed at Direct Support Professionals and Program Coordinators came to fruition. Through events relating to Supported Employment to a new training program for medication assistance, we have never had more professional development opportunities for Direct Support Professionals.
Hard at work: Jess got hired full time as a cook at Boston Pizza with the support of Humboldt and District Community Services.
Service Enhancements
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A YEAR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT New and Improved Strategic Planning Session
April
SARC’s Strategic Planning Session is a facilitated process which assists nonprofit organizations in identifying and clarifying their future goals and objectives, including outlining a method for implementing the strategic plan. After undergoing a detailed internal review and update, SARC’s streamlined process was unveiled in April 2014. In the 2014-2015 year, seven SARC Member Agencies and one other nonprofit organization went through the process. Feedback on the session was very good; organizations have called the session thought provoking, thorough, informative and valuable. We’re looking forward to another busy year of Strategic Planning!
CASE Conference Returns to Saskatchewan
June
SARC partnered with the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) to host the 2014 CASE Conference in Regina. The conference, titled “Workplace Diversity - The Big Picture... The CASE Continues”, featured keynote speakers Dr. Richard Pimentel and Cory Johnson. Annette Burrows, a presenter from British Columbia, hosted two concurrent sessions that were very well attended. Speakers inspired conference attendees to have several group discussions after the sessions. There were 233 attendees, including representation from every Canadian province except Prince Edward Island, as well as attendees from the United States and one attendee from Australia!
Launching LEAP
September
In September of 2014, SARC launched its first year of the Leadership Excellence Advancement Program (LEAP), an exciting new training for existing and up-and-coming leaders in the nonprofit sector. LEAP features a comprehensive learning approach that encompasses major aspects of running a nonprofit organization with best practice standards. 23 Graduates will complete the inaugural year.
SARC Introduces Medication Assistance Training
February
SARC Members established the need for medication assistance training for direct support professionals in the disability service sector. SARC worked in consultation with the Membership throughout the 2014-2015 year to develop a new online training platform for medication assistance. The training is designed to appeal to all types of learning styles through text, voice narration and videos. It is conveniently available through SARC’ s website so learners can take a self-paced approach.
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Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) SARC celebrated DEAM in October 2014 through initiatives to raise awareness about hiring people with disabilities and the benefits to businesses that diversify their workforce The Government of Saskatchewan proclaimed October 2014 as Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM). Events happened across Saskatchewan throughout the month to raise awareness about hiring people with disabilities and the benefits to businesses that diversify their workforce. SARC planned a social media takeover of Supported Employment throughout the month and we participated in an event called MentorAbility Day on October 1st to kick-off the festivities. On MentorAbility Day, SARC invited a potential job seeker, Audrey Bueckert, to shadow a variety of positions at the SARC Office as part of her process to explore potential career paths. Audrey spent the afternoon with different people at SARC to get an understanding of what is involved in different roles. She spent time with SARC’s Director of Member Services, Executive Assistant and Member Services Administrative Assistant. A video of Audrey’s experience is available to view on SARC’s website.
Tracy Whitehead, SARC’s Executive Assistant (left), provides Audrey Bueckert, a potential job seeker (right), with a realistic preview of what it’s like to work at SARC in her role of supporting the Executive Director and the SARC Board of Directors.
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COMMITTMENT
TO SAFETY
SARC Hires Safety Manager A safety-centered culture starts at home
In the 2014-2015 year, the SARC Board of Directors approved an amendment to the existing organizational structure to include a new position where the primary focus is health and safety. The position is a tremendous asset to SARC and SARCAN, serving as a resource to SARCAN regional managers, plant managers, depot supervisors, Occupational Health and Safety Committees throughout the province, as well as SARC’s head office and the senior management team.
Safety Symposium + SSMP
Best practices available in a easy to use toolkit In 2014, SARC held its first annual Safety Symposium. This two-day event was the first of its kind in Saskatchewan and provided valuable safety information for all levels of workers and managers in Community Based Organizations. This event was an incredible success, reaching hundreds of people throughout the province. The symposium also saw the launch of SARC’s Safety Management Program (SSMP), a new toolkit that provides Community Based Organizations with assistance and guidance on the development and/or enhancements of their organization’s own health and safety program.
Safety-Centered Leadership
SARC’s Executive Director recognized by the Service & Hospitality Safety Association SARC’s Executive Director was recognized in 2015 for leading the association along a safety-centered path at record speed. In 2012, she signed the Saskatchewan Health & Safety Leadership Charter to show her commitment to safety in both the association and in the community. In addition to providing resources and training to the Membership, SARC has also attended SHSA training sessions, always focusing on improving products and services. Because the SHSA and SARC have many shared Members, the associations can better work together to affect a large group of people in the province.
PART® + TLR®
SARC’s Manager of Program Support becomes certified instructor Through the Saskatchewan Association for Safe Workplaces in Health (SASWH), SARC’s Manager of Program Support received a Certificate of Competency and completed the instructor-level status process for both the Professional Assault Response Training (PART®) and Transfer Lift Reposition (TLR®) in the 2014-2015 year. This means that SARC now has the capacity to have train-the-trainer programs for SARC Members and any other interested organizations. PART® is designed to assist staff with a means of identification and appropriate response to potentially assaulting/aggressive situations. TLR® is an injury prevention program designed to promote healthy lifestyles and safe work practices for anyone associated with moving people and/or objects.
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CBO SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT SARC and its Members work with government on the development of a multiyear plan to create long-term sustainability at Community Based Organizations The CBO Sustainability Project was initiated by the Ministry of Social Services and informed by a consultation process and report commissioned from MNP. The 2014-2015 year saw the release of the final report from MNP as well as the development of Task Teams to work through the recommendations as outlined in the final report. This multi-year plan aims to create long-term stability, healthy growth, and effective service delivery for CBOs that deliver residential and day program services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and critical in- home support, residential, and counseling services for children in need of protection and their families. The project is being guided by the Provincial Partnership (Ministry of Social Services and SARC) and representatives from Child &
Family Programs. The Task Teams consist of representatives from the Ministry, SARC, and CBOs funded by Community Living Service Delivery and Child and Family Programs. The task teams are: • Outcomes Based Funding • Shared Services • Governance • Quality Assurance • Attraction, Retention and Compensation Four of the five task teams began their work in 2014-2015. The Attraction, Retention, and Compensation Task Team will begin their work in the 2015-2016 year after being informed by the work of the other Task Teams. Many SARC Members agreed to contribute their time and talent to these task teams. Opportunities for additional Membership involvement/consultation will
Building on Success
unfold through each Task Team’s work plan development in the upcoming year. SARC continues to look forward to representing the Membership in this very important project. The long-term recommendations as outlined in the final report will be key to the sustainability of the disability services sector. It’s a multi-year plan, and SARC will continue to report to the Membership as the project progresses. In the Members Only section of the SARC website, there is an area that houses all communication related to the project, so SARC Members can stay informed on the progress. The CBO Sustainability Project aligns with SARC’s 2012-2016 Strategic Plan priorities of prospecting best practices in disability service delivery and contributing to the sustainability of services provided to our Members.
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Organizational Performance
MEASURING FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS SARCAN introduces sophisticated methodology to increase capacity to measure Costing Methodology
In 2014-2015, SARCAN introduced a new costing methodology. This holistic approach is based upon integrated time and motion studies which enables SARCAN to better represent true operating costs as well as identify areas to improve. In 2014-2015, the costing model was used to define the operating costs for industrystandard beer bottles and electronics recycling. This approach will be used in future years to assess existing contracts and new recycling opportunities.
Wait-time Analysis
SARCAN underwent an in-depth study to look at exactly how long our customers spend with us per visit. Customers were timed from entering the depot, to their order being counted, to the cashier paying them. Our research team tracked 1,467 customers at 19 different depots on 47 days to get an overall snapshot of SARCAN’s service times throughout the province. There are many factors that were observed and found to have an impact on wait and service times, including: size of
depot (and its corresponding catchment area), order size, number of employees working, number of chutes available to use at the depot, the presence of marshaling/express lines, as well as weather. This study enables SARCAN to look at benchmarking and to standardize the service customers receive at all depots to ensure a more positive customer experience.
Customer Satisfaction Survey
SARCAN surveyed the attitudes and opinions of actual customers throughout the summer of 2014. In total,1,606 people completed the survey at 12 SARCAN locations. Based on survey results, SARCAN is exploring and testing after hour options un a number of communities. In total, 98% of customers surveyed reported that they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the customer service they received . The majority of people surveyed (61%) have indicated that one of the best parts about the services provided by SARCAN Recycling is the employment opportunities it creates for people of all abilities.
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Growth Across the Province The 2014-2015 year saw new depots for Preeceville and Weyburn, as well as a depot expansion in Redvers and others. The town of Kyle received their first SARCAN depot in 2014, which was met with great enthusiasm by the town and surrounding lake communities. The announcement of a new depot planned for Buffalo Narrows happened in 2014-2015 as well. This will allow SARCAN to make services more accessible in the north. SARCAN introduced a new flattening equipment to some of its largest depots in the 2014-2015 year. Manufactured by Next-Gen, this new flattening equipment has yielded an immediate savings of 300 semi-trailer loads in one year, just in the northern part of the province. Depots will continue to be fitted with the technology throughout the upcoming year.
The Honourable Ken Krawetz cuts the ribbon at the Preeceville Grand Opening.
The Honourable Dustin Duncan cuts the ribbon at the Weyburn Grand Opening.
Gaining Efficiencies: POS and Drop n Go Complete Pilot Project in 2014-2015 The 2012-2016 Strategic Plan recognized the importance of reducing customer wait times and gaining efficiencies. A pilot project was conducted in the 2014-2015 year to create efficiencies at the depot. This project was comprised of two components: having a POS system for cashiers and depot supervisors, and Drop n Go, a new automated process to appeal to customers who want to return their beverage containers quickly and receive their deposit refunds at a later date through an electronic funds transfer.
Point of Sale (POS) System
The new point of sale system allows customers to see their order being totaled on a computer screen. It also frees up the depot supervisor’s time by streamlining daily reporting and accounting functions.
Drop n Go Based on the concept that not all SARCAN customers have time to wait in line, a new service was developed called Drop n Go, which allows customers to drop off their beverage containers at the depot and leave. In downtime, SARCAN employees will count the order, and the money will be sent to the customer through an electronic funds transfer. The pilot project was considered a success; as such, the POS and Drop n Go technology will be rolled out to the other 16 Extra Large depots in Saskatchewan in the 2015-2016 year. Additional testing will continue as the system rolls out in different communities.
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FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS SARC: Diversifying revenue sources to ensure a sustainable future One of SARC’s strategic goals as outlined in the 2012-2016 Strategic Plan is to ensure a sustainable future and that requires responsible financial planning and spending across all divisions. The focus for achieving sustainability is on the diversification of our revenue sources. This is being achieved through the expansion of training programs and resource materials offered. This was reflected during the year with a 44% increase in training and resource revenues, which helped to reduce our deficit. SARC’s grant funding can fluctuate depending on the nature of planned activities – the increase in operating grants in 2014-15 reflected funding secured for positions within SARC for the provision of services to the sector; positions which were previously unfunded. Project grants decreased as a result of cardboard and paper recycling funding which ended in 2014 ($440,000) Light of the Prairies visits the SARC Office and fluctuations in funding for the Supported Employment Transition Initiative. Our Provincial Training Committee grant remained at a consistent level ($120,000) during the year; however, the related revenue was $40,000 less, as it will be used in the next fiscal year. Our overall expenses were managed to stay in line with our incoming revenues.
SARCAN: Costs controlled during record-breaking year SARCAN Recycling had a great year with 405.6 million containers returned, setting a new record for total containers collected. Our return rates remain the highest in Canada at 86.5%. Throughout the year, there were five record setting months where record high container volumes were collected by our depots. For SARCAN, the focus for achieving sustainability is on controlling costs to ensure longevity of the system and this has been a focus for the last number of years. In the 20142015 year, we were able to continue that trend with an increase in expenses of 2.5%. This expense increase was less than our increase in revenues, and in line with the increase in containers.
Children learning about SARCAN Recycling
Our Total Cost Per Legislated Container was 6.9¢ per container versus 6.8¢ per container in 2013-14. Salvage revenue was up $1M over 2014 due to a combination of the increased volumes and the fluctuation in the exchange rate on the US dollar. Out of our net income of $4.4 million, there is $0.8 million paid out to the system stakeholders and a significant amount will be invested in capital improvements throughout the province, including an expansion to Regina’s processing plant, in the upcoming year. In the non-legislated programs, Electronics saw the end of disassembly as the last centre shut its doors on March 31, 2015, and the previous centres closed in 2013-14 – this impact was seen in both revenues and expenses. The net income in UDRS is restricted to that program and not for general use.
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FINANCIAL
RESULTS SARC Financial Results 2014-2015 SARC’s operations encompass a variety of services and activities in support of the disability services sector. These include membership association activity, training and resources, Consultants (Human Resource Consultant, Labour Relations Consultant, and Facility Planner), Administration and Projects (Supported Employment Transition Initiative (SETI) and Provincial Training Committee (PTC) – in 2014, Projects also included the funding to support cardboard and paper recycling which is no longer being received.
Year ended March 31 (in $000):
2015
2014
% change
Revenues
$2,005
$2,234
-10.25%
Grants - Operational
$761
$664
+14.61%
Grants - Projects
$565
$1,016
-44.39%
Training and Resources
$300
$209
+43.54%
Other
$379
$345
+9.86%
Expenses
$2,171
$2,551
-14.90%
Membership Association Activity
$225
$207
+8.70%
Training and Resources
$440
$371
+18.60%
Consultants
$439
$454
-3.30%
Projects (SETI and PTC)
$565
$1,016
-44.39%
Administration
$313
$290
+7.93%
Amortization
$100
$109
-8.26%
SARC Bark (net of product sales)
$89
$104
-14.42%
Net Loss
($166)
($317)
+47.63%
19 SARCAN Financial Results 2014-2015 SARCAN Recycling is a Division of SARC. SARCAN’s operations are divided into three main Programs – legislated, which is the collection and recycling of used beverage containers and is legislated by the Ministry of Environment, non-legislated which includes used paint and end-of-life electronics, and Unified Dairy Recycling System (UDRS) which includes milk containers (jugs and cartons).
Legislated Programs (Beverage Containers) Year ended March 31 (in $000):
2015
2014
% change
Revenues
$33,485
$31,050
+7.84%
Expenses
$29, 042
$28,346
+2.46%
Net Income
$4,443
$2,704
Number of Containers Returned
405.6 million
403.4 million
+0.55%
+64.37%
Non-Legislated Programs (Used Paint, Electonics) Year ended March 31 (in $000):
2015
2014
% change
Revenues
$1,709
$2,569
-33.48%
Expenses
$1,613
$2,528
-36.16%
Net Income
$95
$41
+131.71%
Pounds of Materials Collected
7.8 million
8.2 million
-4.88%
Unified Dairy Recycling System (Milk Containers) Year ended March 31 (in $000):
2015
2014
% change
Revenues
$571
$606
-5.78%
Expenses
$308
$531
-42.00%
Net Income
$263
$75
+250.67%
Pounds of Materials Collected
634,733
1,006,276
-36.92%
111 Cardinal Crescent | Saskatoon, SK S7L 6H5 contact@sarcan.sk.ca | www.sarcsarcan.ca