Changes are coming to Saint John’s curbside recycling program over the next few weeks.

A third-party contractor is taking over curbside recycling collection from the city as of May 1.

The change is part of a new provincial program that sees packaging and paper product producers pay for collection and recycling.

Council voted in July to have Circular Materials take over recycling collection. The non-profit has since secured Miller Waste Systems as the contractor for Saint John.

Senior staff with the city have said the move is expected to save taxpayers between $500,000 and $1 million each year.

Residents who receive curbside recycling collection will have new pickup dates and times under the new program.

City officials said details about the changes are expected to be communicated by Circular Materials in the coming days.

“The ReCollect app will still be available and the best source for determining your pickup day,” the city said in a news release.

No changes will be made to the the types of materials that can be recycled under the new program, and there will be no changes to garbage or compost collection.

As of May 1, Miller Waste Services will look after all recycling collection inquiries, including replacement totes, schedules, and missed collections.