St. John’s to clamp down on blue-bag bandits

The City of St. John's is warning thieves to stop stealing blue bags that are put out for recycling.

At a city council meeting Monday, Coun. Bruce Tilley said people have been stealing the bags to remove the glass and plastic recyclables that can be redeemed for deposits. The remaining contents are dumped. The thefts have been going on since the program launched last October, Tilley said.

Tilley said it's illegal and the city, which makes money from the recyclable items, intends to prosecute repeat offenders if it gets enough evidence.

"It is our hope that the warning will discourage violators," he said. "If not, it is our intention to prosecute repeat offenders if enough evidence to obtain the conviction is available," said Tilley.

Tilley said he has given the city lawyer the licence plate of a vehicle suspected of being used in the thefts.