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

Winter tips

  • Clear snow and ice to put your carts on even ground. Place carts in a dry area so they don’t get frozen to the ground.
  • Don’t place carts behind or on top of snow banks.
  • Clear snow off your blue cart lid and keep the lid closed so that paper and other recyclables stay dry.

Please note: Where you place your cart may change during snow route parking bans.

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.

See more tips on what to do when your carts are full and where to take extra materials.

More options
Blue and green carts are picked up on the same day of the week. Ensure adequate spacing between carts, extra yard waste bags and other obstacles.

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.

Parking your car the right way is also important on collection day.

See parking guidelines

3. Cart spacing

Leave enough space around your carts so you can easily walk between and around them.

  • At least 3 metres (10 f) of space above your carts. Keep away from basketball nets, overhanging branches, eavestroughs and electric lines.

  • At least 1 m (3 ft) from obstacles on either side, such as parked cars, power poles, utility boxes, fences, downspouts and garages.

  • 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.

Black carts are picked up on a separate day than your other carts. Keep your other carts stored to make room for garbage pickup.

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.

Store all your carts directly in between pickups.
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