There is a metal ban in our landfill.
Metal items must be disposed of properly.
The colour of the bag is important, not what the package the bags came in says.
Beginning in January 2022 waste put at the curb each week in St. John’s must be in:
Clear bags (colourless, see-through) for garbage: up to 4 regular size bags (3 with privacy bag)
Opaque bag (not see-through) for privacy garbage: maximum 1 regular size bag
Blue bags (blue see-through) for recycling: unlimited number
Paper yard waste bags for yard waste: unlimited number
When clear bags for garbage begins in January 2022, up to one ‘privacy’ bag per week is allowed at the curb (or in the garbage cart).
You can continue to use your black (white, green, not see through) bags as your one privacy bag per week.
Pick-up times may vary due to weather, equipment problems, staffing, etc.
There is no guarantee that the collection truck will be by at the same time every week.
Garbage must be placed at the curb in front of your property no earlier than 6 a.m. and not later than 8 a.m., on your scheduled waste collection day.
If you miss your collection day you can hold onto your garbage until your next garbage collection day.
Garbage can also be brought to the Residential Drop-Off. Learn More Here.
All residential households from the Eastern Region of the province.
It is not for private businesses or other organizations. These groups are required to arrange to have a licensed hauler remove hazardous chemicals from their work sites.
It is important that Household Hazardous Waste is collected in an organized manner.
Materials have to be first sorted and identified by a qualified individual and placed in a particular category.
If certain Household Hazardous Wastes are mixed or come in contact with one another there could be potential for dangerous reactions.
At the facility, a professional hazardous waste handler will accept your material.
After the materials are collected, they are sorted and put in special containers.
These containers are then transported to facilities where the materials can be recycled or disposed of properly.
Click Here to see what kind of materials we accept at our Household Hazadous Waste Facilty at the Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility, 340 White Hills Road. Click Here for the hours of operation. In most cases, it is best to store the materials in the original container in a safe, dry place until it can be disposed of properly.
Use it up. If you fully use up the product there is no need for disposal. In the future, try to use alternative products, or only purchase what is needed.
Recycle and recover the waste. Many household hazardous materials such as motor oil, antifreeze, and automobile batteries can be recycled through the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board. Other materials such as useable latex paint can be recovered and used by others. In Newfoundland and Labrador, you can return used lubricating, crankcase, and gear oil, as well as transmission fluid. Consumers can bring used lubricating oil to a return facility or point of purchase, free of charge. Click Here to contact the MMSB for more information.
Dry the material. Car wax and oil-based or unusable paint can be dried if the quantity is small. After air-drying these types of products, double wrap the container in newspaper and throw it out in the regular trash.
The waste from households collected at curbside is loaded onto a truck where it is compacted immediately.
If a hazardous substance is leaked it may ignite or explode in the collection truck, causing injury or affecting the health and safety of the collectors.
If a hazardous chemical reaches the landfill, it can find its way into ground water, streams, ponds or the ocean.
Use gloves when handling hazardous chemicals.
Keep chemicals in their original containers.
Ensure containers are clearly labelled and well sealed. Attach your own label if the label has fallen off. Only label the container if you are sure of the name of the chemical. Don’t guess.
Don’t mix chemicals. Apart from making disposal difficult, you’ll increase the risk of being exposed to the chemical. In extreme cases, mixing incompatible chemicals will lead to a violent chemical reaction such as fire or explosion.
Transport in the trunk of your vehicle or preferably in the back of a truck or trailer. Don’t transport in the passenger compartment – a fallen or leaking container may fill the interior with dangerous vapour.
Travel with your car windows down if carrying flammable or odorous materials.
Secure containers so they don’t fall over or leak. Ensure lids are tightly fitted. Place containers of liquids in a tray or plastic bucket so they do not spill or fall over. Pack powders and solids securely.
Keep corrosive chemicals, such as battery acid, away from poisons. Keep oxidizing agents, such as peroxide, away from all other materials.
Avoid transporting open or leaking containers. Put into another container and make sure you label it. Moving corroded chemical containers could result in personal harm or the contamination of and/or damage to your vehicle.
A potential leaky container can be placed into another container, such as a plastic bucket.
Don’t forget to label it where possible.
Don’t transport your chemicals with passengers, food, consumer goods or pets in your vehicle.
Used oil is hazardous waste.
Used oil, lubricating oil, crankcase oil, gear oil and transmission fluid can be properly disposed of at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at the Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility, 340 White Hills Road. Click Here for the hours of operation.
You can also return used motor oils to an oil retailer, free of charge, where it may be stored and made available to service companies for treatment and reuse. It is cleaned, filtered and given new additives – recycled into a product that is as good as new oil. Contact your local service station for details.
Paint can be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at the Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility, 340 White Hills Road. Click Here for the hours of operation.
The recently introduced Provincial Paint Recycling Program allows unused paint be returned to some local businesses during their regular business hours even if you didn’t purchase the paint there. Click Here to find a paint depot near you.
You can mix leftover paint together and save it for another project to use as primer. But remember, only mix oil paint with oil paint, and latex with latex. Never mix the two.
Offer leftover paint to neighbours, friends, or relatives.
For small amounts of latex paint (less than 1/4 full) set the can outside and remove the lid to allow the paint to harden. Then dispose of hardened paint in your regular garbage.
The City offers a free curbside metals pick-up one a year. Click Here for the schedule.
Metals can be brought to the Residential Drop-Off. Learn More Here.
If you are not able to bring your items to the Residential Drop-Off and you require a pick-up at your residence, you can contact a private waste hauler for rates and to schedule a pick-up time. For waste hauler contact information Click Here.
We anticipate some residents may need a period of adjustment to get used to buying and using clear bags for garbage.
We aim to take a ‘soft’ approach to give everyone time to purchase and start using clear bags for garbage.
At some point, the City will transition to a ‘hard’ launch where your garbage will not be collected if we identify clear bags are not being used. The City will give notice as to when the hard launch will start.
Bottle caps can be left on the container and placed in your blue bag. Recycling technologies have improved and keeping the lid on is no longer an issue. Essentially, the two components are separated naturally in a process referred to as a water bath. The bottles float and the caps sink, making it easy to separate the two materials.
On the other hand, removing the caps can cause them to be improperly sorted early on in the recycling process. Because of their small size, individual caps are often sorted into piles of landfill-bound waste.
Recycling and garbage trucks are dual compartment trucks and the width of the smallest of these compartments is 2 feet.
Material must be bundled to the size which will fit in the truck compartments.
There is no limit on the amount of recycling that you can put out.
You can place multiple container bags and multiple paper bags to the curb on your scheduled collection day.
Cardboard can be put in bags or bundled (2x2x1).
If you miss your collection day you can set out your recyclables the following recyclable collection day.
Recycling can also be taken to the Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility at 340 East White Hills Road. Click Here for Hours of Operation.
It is extremely important to prepare items correctly before placing them in your blue bags. This means:
- Clean out obvious food residue from your containers.
- Remove wrap or plastic from boxes and paper.
- Please take a few extra seconds and move any items inappropriately placed in the recycling bag to the trash.
No. You can leave labels on your plastic bottles and metal cans.
All of these items are fine to toss into the “Paper” recycling blue bag.
In the recycling process, all paper, even the glossy, is converted to pulp, and all non-natural fibres such as metal will be strained out.
So don’t waste your time removing staples or plastic windows!
Even though the manufacture puts a recycling symbol on most styrofoam packaging it doesn’t mean that it is acceptable in the City’s program. We cannot take any styrofoam for the following reasons:
- Some styrofoam can break up easily causing contamination of other material.
- Styrofoam markets are limited and have very high standards for this material.
- The market value is very, very low for such high standards.
When we researched the markets for plastic bags they were not willing to purchase them from new customers.
We were advised by our consultants to not include them in the program as they would create some serious problems for our sorting and processing equipment by getting tangled and wrapped around the equipment breaking parts, causing it to not operate properly.
Bags can get into other materials and end up contaminating other loads of recycling.
We encourage you to reduce your use of disposable plastic shopping bags by using reusable bags.
Plastic bags can be returned to most grocery stores for recycling.
We recommend that you shred any paper items that contain personal information before you put it in your blue bag for curbside recycling.
Shredded paper can be put in a blue bag along with other paper items including cardboard and boxboard.
Across Canada many curbside recycling programs require the use of blue bags. There are a number of reasons for this and some of them include:
- Blue bags are recyclable in our Recycling Facility while other colour bags are not.
- Blue bags work in the bag breaker machinery in our Recycling Facility because they are thin and can easily be ripped open; other bags are often thicker and can jam the machinery.
- When recyclables are in blue bags our collectors know it is recycling in the bags; it is more difficult for them to determine if items in clear/colourless bags are meant for recycling or garbage.
Recycling is collected bi-weekly on the same day as garbage collection.
Recycling is collected in a separate truck from the garbage.
Recycling trucks have 2 compartments in the back so container recyclables go in one compartment and paper recyclables in the other.
Glass breaks during the recycling collection and sorting process. When it breaks it becomes an occupational health and safety issue as it is dangerous for the people sorting.
Broken glass can easily contaminate other recycling material which is problematic for the manufacturers buying the material. Their equipment can become jammed, parts can break, and equipment may not work as smoothly because of the glass resulting in an inferior product. Then the manufacturers’ customers are not satisfied or they may have to dispose of the product because it cannot be sold. Therefore, a clean product to sell to the manufacturers is what we want to provide. This will ensure that our material gets recycled.
Today glass is not in high demand. The next time you’re at the grocery store, take a moment to note how many plastic containers are used compared to glass containers. You will find that there are far more plastic containers. If there is low demand for the material then the market price will be low. High gasoline prices, breakage of glass containers and plastic being inexpensive to purchase to make containers all contribute to less glass being used for food, resulting in lower demand for it.
The Green Depots do take deposit-bearing glass beverage containers (ie: juice, pop, wine, imported beer, etc) and domestic beer bottles can be returned to a beer retailer for refund and reuse. Glass jars can be reused for storage of different things from food to nuts and bolts, nails and more things.
Click here to listen to an interview with recycling advocate Helen Spiegelman on the CBC Radio show The 180: Helen Spiegelman looks at the environmental and economic concerns of glass recycling, and comes to an interesting solution.
You can fill out an exemption form and attach a signed note from a heath care practitioner. To get your exemption form click here, or you can call 311 to have one mailed out to you.
If the address is on the cart you can return it to the property it belongs to.
If there is no address on the cart you can write down the serial number of the cart and call 311 to report it. A staff member will get in touch with you.
All the carts look the same, having the address on the cart will make it easy for you, your neighbour and city staff to find and/or return the cart to the owner.
Don’t forget to periodically update your address on your cart because it can wear away in the weather.
You will not receive a cart for your recycling.
Your blue bags of recyclables will continue to be collected manually.
Your blue bags must be placed to the curb by your cart spaced a minimum of 1 metre from the cart.
If you already have a bin and want to use your current bin for recycling, we will provide a decal to place on the bin. To request a decal email curbit@stjohns.ca or call 311.
The carts can withstand temperature extremes and users in areas with heavy snowfall have indicated that the wide wheels ride well on snow and are easy to roll out in winter.
Inclement weather may affect collection, notifications will be sent out through our reminders and waste app by 7 am.
Residents are asked to sign-up for “Reminders” by clicking here or to download the St. John’s Waste & Recycling APP in the APP Store or Google Play. When you sign-up for reminders you have the option to choose how you want to be reminded (e-mail, phone call, text, twitter, or calendar). Notifications will also be posted on the City website and announced on local radio stations.
The cart dumping process lifts the cart upside down and stops with a slight jolt so waste in the cart will fall out, unless it is wedged, forced, or compacted in the cart. Please ensure waste is not packed too tightly in the cart.
No regular household waste is to be placed on top or beside the cart.
Only blue bagged recyclables and yard waste in paper yard waste bags will be collected when placed a minimum of 1 metre from the garbage cart.
Carts should not be filled beyond the manufacturer’s recommended load rating.
You must be able to completely close the cart lid after the garbage is placed inside.
Overfull carts which cause the lid not to fully close will not be collected as this can cause damage during the collection process and cause litter problems.
Taking advantage of the City’s curbside recycling collection program (Curb It) will help ensure there is enough room in your cart for the garbage produced in your household.
The automated garbage cart is big enough for most household’s garbage when recycling with the City’s curbside program.
Excess material can be held over until the next collection day, or you can take it to the Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility.
Yes. Garbage must be bagged before it is placed in the cart.
Bagging helps keep the cart clean, eliminates blown litter and reduces odor.
You can use any bag for your garbage except blue recycling bags, or yard waste bags
The collection arm of the automated vehicle requires space to make the collection movement safely so it will not tip over carts or damage property.
Please keep the carts at least 1 metre away from hydrants, poles, electrical control boxes, parked vehicles, curbside recycling, yard waste bags and other obstacles that may interfere with the collection.
A cart will be issued for each assessed unit within a property address.
There is a maximum of 5 carts per property even if the property has more than 5 assessed dwellings.
It is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure carts are maintained in a clean, safe and secure manner.
Residents are required to use the City provided carts for garbage collection.
If you already have a bin you can use it for storing and setting out your recycling. Recycling decals are available for your old bin. To request a decal email curbit@stjohns.ca or call 311.
Each cart has address spaces on both sides of the cart where you can write your address in permanent marker. Don’t forget to periodically update your address because it can wear away in the weather.
Each cart has an unique serial number (beginning with “2SG”) that residents can record for their reference.
If you haven’t written your address on your cart or you haven’t recorded your cart’s serial number, you can call 311 and request your serial number(s).
The cart replacement cost is $65.00 (takes and delivery included).
The 240 litre carts can hold approximately 4 standard sized garbage bags.
The City of St. John’s maintains ownership of the cart.
Responsibility for the cart rests with the property owner.
Property owners will be charged for the replacement of carts that are vandalized, stolen or lost.
The City will only replace carts without charge to property owners if the cart is defective, or has been damaged by the City’s collection efforts.
There are many places you can store your cart including:
- inside a garage, shed or outdoor storage unit;
- in your backyard, or under a covered porch or balcony;
- at the front or side of your home, garage or fence.
Store your cart as close to the house as possible.
City employees are available to work with you, or your property manager to find site-specific solutions for storing your carts.
Please call 311 or email curbit@stjohns.ca to request a garbage cart.
No. The program is included in the City of St. John’s Operating Budget.
Responsibility for the cart rests with the property owner.
Property owners will be charged cost recovery for the replacement of carts that are vandalized, stolen or lost.
The City will only replace carts without charge to property owners if the cart is defective, or has been damaged by the City’s collection efforts.
Household garbage will only be collected from a City issued garbage cart.
If a property owner decides not to use the City’s garbage collection service, they can call 311 and the City will arrange to have the cart removed from the property.
If you need a medical exemption from using the automated garbage cart, Click Here to get an exemption form, or call 311 to have the form mailed out to you.
Improved Service to Residence
The new wheeled carts are very durable and easy to handle. Instead of lifting your garbage to the curb you simply wheel your cart to the curb. We can also collect your garbage faster.
Safer
The new automated collection system will provide a safer working environment for the collection staff and reduce lost time due to injury and accidents.
Environmental Benefits
The amount of litter on our streets, as well as odor and pest problems caused by garbage will be reduced.
Increases the amount of recycling placed at the curb which creates new resources, new jobs, reduces green house gases, and extends the life of the Landfill site.
Residential households in automated garbage collection areas have been supplied with a specially designed wheeled garbage cart.
On collection day, residents wheel their cart to the front of their residence for collection. Important Note: Recycling and yard waste bags must be placed at the curb at least 1 metre (3 feet) away from the garbage cart.
The City then empties the cart using trucks equipped with a mechanical arm.
The City offers a free curbside oversized bulk garbage pick-up one a year. Click Here for the schedule.
Bulk garbage can be brought to the Residential Drop-Off. Learn More Here.
If you are not able to bring your items to the Residential Drop-Off and you require a pick-up at your residence, you can contact a private waste hauler for rates and to schedule a pick-up time. For waste hauler contact information Click Here.
The trucks used for the regular weekly curbside garbage collection cannot fit items in it that are larger than garbage bag size (approximately 2 ft x 2 ft x 1 ft).
There is no exemption in place or planned for the use of clear bags for garbage.
Non-see through bags inside a clear bag is only acceptable as your one privacy bag per week.
For clear bags, if smaller bags are put inside a larger bag, all the bags must be clear.
This includes kitchen and bathroom waste bins: if you remove kitchen catchers or small bags from bathroom bins to put it in a larger clear bag, the kitchen-catchers and small bags must also be clear – unless it is your one privacy bag per week.
If you do not use clear bags in kitchen or bathroom bins, those can be combined as your one privacy bag per week or you can dump the contents of the small bins into a clear bag.
