Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s uses an automated cart collection system for all residential waste pick-up. Every household is provided with an official rolling cart designed for safe, efficient waste management across our community.
Place your cart at the curb between 8:00 p.m. the evening before and 8:30 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Ensure the cart handle faces your property and the lid opening points toward the street. Keep at least 1 metre (3 feet) of clear space on all sides of the cart, away from parked vehicles, light posts, mailboxes, and trees. Lids must be fully closed, as overflow waste placed on top of or beside the cart will not be collected.
All waste must be bagged before being placed inside the cart to keep the interior clean and prevent loose litter on windier days. Personal trash cans, loose bags, or non-compliant containers are not eligible for collection.
For full program details, including acceptable materials, cart placement diagrams, and tips for winter conditions, please review our comprehensive guide.
Residents are required to use the Town-issued cart starting on their first collection date after receiving it. Existing personal carts cannot be used. Your old garbage box (or cart) can be repurposed to store blue recycling bags between collection days. Alternatively, from July 2026 to August 2027, you can contact the Town to request free removal of your old box, or you may remove it yourself.
Starting in 2027, an annual $20.00 administrative service fee will be added as a separate line item on your annual tax invoice.
The cart remains the property of the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s and must stay at the address if the homeowner moves.
Each cart is stamped with a unique serial number that is tied to your specific address. You can also write your house number in permanent marker on the designated space on the cart lid.
Properties with registered apartments will receive two carts. All Town correspondence and billing regarding carts will go directly to the property owner on file. Renters should notify their landlord if a cart needs assessment for repairs, or replacement.
Section 2: Using Your Cart
Yes. All garbage must be placed inside standard sized black garbage bags to keep the cart clean, reduce odour, and prevent blown litter. Contractor bags, kitchen catchers, and blue recycling bags are not permitted.
No. Only blue recycling bags may be placed near your cart. Your cart lid must close completely. Overfilled carts or extra bags left beside the cart will not be collected.
On collection day, place your cart at the roadside, unsecured, as shown on Page 3. Keep blue recycling bags at least 1 metre (3 feet) away from your cart and any obstacles (like parked vehicles) so the automated collection truck can safely reach the cart. Recycling bags may be set on the curb, lawn, driveway, or gravel shoulder.
On non-collection days, store your cart on your property in a garage, shed, or outdoor storage area.
Please place your carts at the roadside by 8:30 a.m., on your scheduled collection day. Note that collection times may change due to weather conditions or holiday schedules, you can find the full collection calendar on our website or the back page of this booklet. Please return your cart to your property after it has been emptied.
We understand that not everyone may be able to move their cart to the roadside. If you need an accommodation, please contact Public Works. Staff will work with residents to find an appropriate solution. Residents can contact 709-895-8000 ext. 228 or email [email protected]
First, verify that your cart was set out on time, positioned correctly with 1 metre of clearance, and wasn’t overfilled (the lid must close fully). If those criteria were met, contact our Public Works department to report a missed pick-up.
Section 3: Repairs, Weather & Disposal
Residents are responsible for keeping their cart clean and functional. If a cart suffers normal wear and tear, the Town will repair it with replacement parts at no charge. However, if a cart is lost, stolen, vandalized, or damaged beyond repair, the property owner will be charged a $120.00 replacement fee.
Items not collected curbside can be taken to the Residential Drop-Off (RDO) at Robin Hood Bay (Tuesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Unsure if an item is accepted? Check the Waste Wizard at robinhoodbay.ca/information/waste-wizard or refer to pages 6 & 7 of this guide.
The carts feature wide wheels and durable materials designed to handle snow and extreme cold year-round. If severe winter weather forces a delay, updates will be posted on the Town website, social media, and the Voyent Alert! app (PCSP Connects).
2026 Waste Collection Schedule
The 2026 waste collection schedule has been mailed to all residents in late 2025, and features a magnetic backing to place on your fridge.
Recycling collection will take place every second week on your scheduled garbage route. We require two streams of recycling to be placed in clear blue bags. Below is the information on what to include and how to separate “paper products” and “containers.”
Cardboard can be put in a tied up blue bag or can be broken down and placed in bundles at the curb. If bundled it must measure no more than 2ft by 2ft by 1ft. DO NOT bundle cardboard and then put it in a blue bag; either bundle it or bag it.
Wondering what can be recycled? Use Robin Hood Bay’s Waste Wizard tool. Learn more detail about materials accepted in the MRF and guidelines on how to prepare it for delivery.
Bulk garbage collection service is available by appointment from May to November and is on a first come first serve basis. To book an appointment, email: [email protected]
Those with bulk garbage for disposal may also consider bringing it to Robin Hood Bay Waste Management facility residential drop off from 8:00am to 4:00pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
It is unlawful to place oil, oil products, gasoline, or diesel fuel for household or bulk garbage collection. These items must be brought to the Hazardous Waste Station at Robin Hood Bay.
Electronics Recycling
Electronics recycling can be dropped off at the Residential Drop-Off (RDO) Facility at Robin Hood Bay or at select Green Depot locations.
Click Here to check the Recycle My Electronics map to see if your preferred Green Depot also accepts electronics
Garden Material
As of June 1st, 2006 the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s will no longer collect garden material or, any other material that can be composted. Garden material includes any grass, hay weeds, leaves, sods, tress, stumps, and branches that can be readily composted.
