Significant changes are coming to Saint John’s garbage and recycling collection program this fall.

Curbside recycling will roll out to around 22,000 households across the city starting Oct. 23.

Community blue bins that are set up throughout the city will be decommissioned at the same time.

Along with the changes to recycling come new limitations on how much garbage can be placed at the curb.

“With curbside recycling, we’re hoping and expecting a lot of our citizens will take up that opportunity to recycle more,” Tim O’Reilly, director of public works for the city, told reporters on Thursday.

Starting next Monday, staff will begin delivering two recycling bins to eligible households ahead of the rollout, including buildings with four or fewer units.

In addition, about 19,000 households will each receive a 180-litre garbage cart to place their waste in. Residents in the South-Central Peninsula, Old North End and Waterloo Village areas will continue to place their garbage curbside in bags.

O’Reilly said residents will be limited to one full garbage cart every two weeks, with each cart holding about two large garbage bags. Those who do not get carts will be allowed to put out one bag each week.

“Any garbage that doesn’t fit in the bins or is above their maximum limit, they’re going to be able to buy a bag tag for $2 a piece,” he said.

Residents can buy the tags at City Hall and several other locations throughout the city or request them through the mail.

O’Reilly said there would be certain times of the year, such as Christmas, when residents will be allowed to put out extra garbage at no additional cost, said O’Reilly.

He said the city will continue to address any issues of illegal dumping on a case-by-case basis.

“We’re very confident the majority of our customers are well-rounded people and well-being people and they’re law-abiding citizens that will follow the rules,” he said.

Some customers will see changes to their garbage and compost collection schedule, with details to be released in the coming weeks. Recycling will be collected the night before, he said.

O’Reilly said a pilot project that took place in the Latimore Lake and Rockwood areas of the city saw an increased amount of diversion from the landfill.

“With curbside recycling, we’re providing that front-door service for people to be able to recycle more conveniently than they used to be,” he said.

Less waste going to the landfill will not only help the environment but will also save the city money, said O’Reilly.

Last year, the city collected 937 tonnes of garbage every month. With a tipping fee of $108 per tonne, that works out to more than $1.2 million for the entire year.

O’Reilly said they expect to recoup the $3 million it cost to implement the new system over the course of eight to nine years through reduced tipping fees.

You can find more details about the changes by clicking here.