• Place only accepted recyclable materials inside your recycling cart. 
• Flatten and bundle cardboard before placing it in your cart to save on space. 
• Ensure all containers are clean, dry and placed loosely in your cart. Do not bag your recyclables.  
• Lids and labels can remain on containers and cans. 

• Recycling carts, with lids fully closed, help minimize litter and reduce odour and pest issues.  
• Increased storage capacity between collections allows for more space for your recyclables.  
• Collection systems with recycling carts create a safer working environment for workers and reduce the risk of injury and accidents. 

• Keep your recyclables secure in your cart by making sure the cart lid is fully closed. On windy days, position the cart so the lid opens away from the wind. 

In areas where carts are being blown over by passing vehicles or strong roadside wind gusts, you can take a few steps to help improve cart stability and prevent recyclables from blowing away.

• Set carts out only when full or nearly full, where possible.
  A fuller cart has more weight and is less likely to tip over when exposed to wind gusts from passing transport trucks. Partially empty carts are lighter and more vulnerable to being blown over.
• Place carts farther back from the roadway while still keeping them visible and accessible for collection.
  Where property conditions allow, residents should avoid placing carts directly at the edge of the road or shoulder. Moving the cart slightly farther away from the travel lane can help reduce the impact of wind turbulence caused by large vehicles.
• Use a stable, level set-out location.
  Carts should be placed on a flat surface whenever possible. Avoid placing them on slopes, soft gravel, snowbanks, uneven shoulders, or areas where the wheels may shift.
• Ensure the lid is fully closed.
  An open or partially open lid can catch wind and make the cart more likely to tip. Closing the lid also helps keep material contained if the cart does fall over.
• Face the cart properly for collection.
  Where automated collection is used, carts should still be positioned with the wheels and handle facing the house and the lid opening toward the road. Proper placement helps the driver collect the cart without needing to reposition it.
• Avoid packing lightweight items at the top.
  Lightweight materials near the top of the cart can shift or catch wind if the lid opens. Heavier material at the bottom can help improve balance.
• Set carts out as close to the collection time as practical.
  If residents know carts are frequently blown over overnight or early in the morning, placing carts out later in the allowable set-out window may reduce the amount of time they are exposed to truck traffic and wind.

• Set your recycling cart so that the wheels are away from the curb (towards your home, and the lid opens to the street).  
• Place recycling cart at least 3 feet in front of or beside fences or vehicles.  
• Place your cart on a flat surface clear of snow and ice. For rural one-way roads, please place carts on the designated collection side of the road. 
• Residents should have their cart at the curb by 7 a.m. on the morning of their scheduled collection day.  

• Place your cart on a flat surface. 
• Keep your cart clear of any obstacles or snowbanks and ensure it is visible and accessible for collection. 
• Place your cart at the end of your driveway, not on the road.  
• Clear any snow and ice from the lid before setting it out for recycling.