Cart placement tips
How to put out your carts on pickup day
Putting your carts out the right way on pickup day ensures your bins will be collected safely and on schedule.
Download and print our reference guide on How to use your carts
How to place your cart during street cleaning
Spring street cleaning will be ongoing throughout the city for the next few months.
- If your carts are picked up in the front street, place your bin(s) on the end of your driveway or grass boulevard next to the curb on collection day. Once street cleaning is complete, you can put your carts out as normal on collection day.
- If your cart is picked up in the back lane, put it in the same place as usual.
Follow these quick steps to get ready for collection day
1. Fill your carts
Fill your carts and lower the lids. On pickup day, only put out cart(s) if needed to minimize the number of carts in the alley or street.
- Make sure all materials fits securely inside the cart with the lid pulled over. If it's too full, your cart will not be collected as there’s a risk materials will spill out on to the ground. At the same time, do not pack your cart too tightly so it's easy to empty when the collection truck comes around.
- Carts have a 60 kg weight limit. If you can easily roll the cart, it should be ok.
How to set out extra bags?
- Place paper yard waste bags at least 0.5 m (2 ft) away from the side of your green cart.
- Place tagged garbage bags 0.5 m (2 ft) to the side of your black cart.
- No extra recyclables are allowed outside the blue cart.
What to do with extra waste?
Where possible, hold onto extra garbage, recyclables or yard waste until your next collection day, when you can fit them into the appropriate cart. You can also ask your neighbours if they have space in their carts that you could also use.
2. Place your cart
To ensure collection, carts need to be out by 7 a.m. on your collection day. Place the carts on flat ground, not on a raised platform.
- Front street: Place cart wheels against the curb.
- Back lane: Place cart wheels with enough space to walk between your cart and your back hedge, garage or fence.
3. Cart spacing
Leave enough space around your carts so you can easily walk between and around them.
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At least 3 metres (10 f) of space above your carts. Keep away from basketball nets, overhanging branches, eavestroughs and electric lines.
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At least 1 m (3 ft) from obstacles on either side, such as parked cars, power poles, utility boxes, fences, downspouts and garages.
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At least 0.5 m (2 ft) of space behind your carts. If you can open the lid fully without hitting anything, that should be enough space.
Why do garbage trucks need so much space?
The City uses garbage trucks with mechanical arms to pick up black, blue and green carts.
The mechanical arm requires adequate space to reach, grab and lift the bins to empty them. Placing your carts with enough space means your driver will be able to pick them up safely and stay on schedule for you and your neighbors.
4. Storing carts
Put your carts away by 7 p.m. on your collection day by pulling them back against your fence or property. Don't leave your carts blocking the alleyways.
This helps keep our alleys clean and prevents others from using your carts.
You are responsible for taking care of your cart and keeping it clean. Follow these tips to prevent attracting animals.