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Garbage, recycling and collection in St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador: garbage, recycling and collection. Find local rules, practical steps, useful answers and official service links.
Key information
St. John’s uses a fixed weekday collection system, with weekly garbage and recycling every other week. Set-out is in the morning only. A city-issued cart must stay with its assigned property and has specific space and bag requirements.
On this page
At a glance
| Question | Quick answer |
|---|---|
| How often is waste collected? | Garbage is weekly. Recycling is every second week. Yard waste runs May through November on the recycling day. |
| What is the limit without a city cart? | A maximum of four regular-size garbage bags, each under 22 kilograms or 50 pounds. |
| How much clearance does a cart need? | Leave at least one metre from obstacles, other carts and recycling or yard waste bags. Keep carts off sidewalks. |
Sources: Curbside Waste Collection - Curb It St. John's · Automated Garbage Collection - Curb It St. John's
Plan your next step
- Find your service
Check the address, building type and collector for the material.
- Sort and prepare
Use the local container, quantity, weight and set-out rules.
- Check the date
Use the address calendar and the correct reporting route if collection fails.
Collection, containers and dates
How often is waste collected?
Garbage is weekly. Recycling is every second week. Yard waste runs May through November on the recycling day.
Can I put waste out the night before?
No. Put it out between 6 and 8 a.m. on collection day and remove carts, nets or uncollected material by 8 p.m.
What if my property has a city garbage cart?
You must use it. All garbage bags must fit inside with the lid fully closed.
Sorting and special services
What is the limit without a city cart?
A maximum of four regular-size garbage bags, each under 22 kilograms or 50 pounds.
What bag colour should I use?
Use clear, colourless bags, with one opaque privacy bag allowed under the stated household rule.
Do exposed bags need a covering?
At properties without a cart, garbage bags must be covered with a bin or net from April through November.
Problems, exceptions and help
How much clearance does a cart need?
Leave at least one metre from obstacles, other carts and recycling or yard waste bags. Keep carts off sidewalks.
Which way should a cart face?
Point the arrows on the lid toward the street. Exact placement differs for streets with parking, driveways or gravel shoulders.
Can needles go in the garbage?
No. Use a proper sharps disposal container and the pharmacy return route described by the city.
How do I identify my recycling week?
Check the address schedule for week A or B, or call 311 or 709-754-2489. Curbit also offers reminders and an app.
Local service links
These are the service sources used for this St. John's guide. Use their current forms, calendars and notices when completing a task.
Sources: Curbside Waste Collection - Curb It St. John's · Automated Garbage Collection - Curb It St. John's