More net, less gross: St. John's backs garbage-covering rules

St. John's residents will have to cover their garbage bags this year, city council decided Monday evening, calling a 2006 anti-litter pilot project a success.

The rules— adopted to prevent seagulls from ripping bags apart— will require residents to put their garbage bags in containers or in specialized nets.

Coun. Ron Ellsworth said unlike last summer's trial— in which residents received written warnings, if that— for leaving garbage bags uncovered, this year will see the bylaw enforced and fines levied.

"Last year, we stayed away from the enforcement issue as it [was] a pilot year. We felt that enforcement was something that we need not be involved with," Ellsworth said.

Effective May 1, Ellsworth said, a sticker program will be used to notify residents when they are not in compliance with the bylaw.

Unlike last year, residents will not be allowed to cover their garbage with blankets.

Many residents last year bought large nylon nets— wide enough to accommodate about three bags of garbage— for holding their waste at the curb.

Coun. Frank Galgay, whose ward includes many downtown residents, voted against extending the garbage-covering rules.

Galgay said downtown residents complained to him that they do not want to use nets.

"They are still concerned about the liability for the nets— the legal liability. They are very worried and very concerned about it," Galgay told Monday evening's meeting.

Some residents complained last year about liability issues arising from empty nylon nets, which include a large drawstring, being left on their sidewalks.

Council will vote next week on when the bylaw will come into effect and then end. It's expected to run from May and November.

Council last year had initially voted against the pilot project, but changed its mind in time for summer.