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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Please call 311 or email curbit@stjohns.ca to request a garbage cart.
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.
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.
The 240 litre carts can hold approximately 4 standard sized garbage bags.
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.
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).
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.
The cart replacement cost is $65.00 (takes and delivery included).
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.