Yard and Organic Waste

Article from the Summer 2023 City Guide

Mulch Grass and Leaves

There’s no need to rake grass clippings or fallen leaves, just mulch them with your mower. The grass clippings and leaves provide nutrients to the soil and help retain moisture requiring less watering and fertilizer for a healthy lawn.

Mow and go and spend your extra time doing the things you enjoy!

Yard Waste

From May to November each year, all yard waste placed at the curb for collection must be in paper yard waste bags. Yard waste bags are collected every second week, on the same day as your recycling.

Paper yard waste bags can also be dropped off at the Residential Drop Off at Robin Hood Bay, open Tuesday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Backyard Composting

The City of St. John’s, in partnership with the MUN Botanical Garden and MMSB, offers free basic introductory sessions about backyard composting. Once completed St. John’s residents can purchase a reduced-price 140 litre (37 gallon) backyard compost tumbler bin for $75 taxes included. Note that other bin types and sizes are currently unavailable.

The backyard composting sessions are offered in-person (1 hour) from spring to fall and the online session is available at any time.

2023 in-person sessions:

Saturday, Sept. 9, 1:30-2:30 p.m., MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mount Scio Road

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 1:30-2:30 p.m., MUN Johnson Geo Centre, 175 Signal Hill Road

Take in a FREE introductory composting session to qualify to purchase a backyard compost bin at a discounted price.

Attend an in-person session or complete the online course at mun.ca/BotanicalGarden/learn/composting to receive a certificate of completion.

Email Curbit@StJohns.ca a scan or picture of the certificate of completion along with your house number and street name.

Once a Case ID is provided by Curbit, pay by calling Access St. John’s at 311 or 754-CITY (credit card only) or visit City Hall (credit, cash or debit) 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Allow 7-10 business days for delivery to your address.

DID YOU KNOW?

Since 2018, we have composted more than 6,000 tonnes of yard waste, which has reduced our GHG emssions by 180 tonnes.