Winter Collection Tips

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Ice and snow are serious safety hazards for recycling collectors, who pick up every blue bag by hand. Please do your part to keep them safe.

Clear ice and snow from your collection area. Please add sand if it is not possible to clear ice. This helps prevent painful slips and falls.
Keep recycling easy to reach. Place it close to the road or alley and avoid setting it on top of or behind snowbanks.

Setting Out Carts in Winter

Place your cart beside or in front of snowbanks/windrows, not on top of or behind them. This ensures the truck’s mechanical arm can access your cart. Leave 1 metre (3 feet) of space between your cart and the snowbank.

Make sure your cart is on solid, level ground. You don’t need to shovel down to the asphalt if the snow is compacted. Consider placing it at the end of your driveway, since this area is already cleared of snow.

Keep your cart away from downspouts and pooling water. Your cart could freeze to the ground, making it impossible to move or lift.

cart set out in winter

Prevent Food Scraps From Freezing to Your Cart

In cold weather, food scraps may sometimes freeze to your cart and remain stuck inside when tipped. The following actions can help.

Pre-freeze your scraps. Put your food scraps pail on your doorstep for an hour before emptying it into your cart. Or pre-freeze your scraps in your freezer.
Strain excess liquid from food. This reduces liquid that can pool in the bottom of your cart and freeze.
Use a liner to hold your food scraps. Liners help contain moisture in winter months. Paper liners are best for the environment, while plastic liners contain moisture better.
Store your cart outdoors when possible. Moving your cart between warm and cold temperatures increases the risk of scraps freezing to your cart.
Loosen frozen scraps with a shovel or broom handle before setting out your cart for collection.

Live in an Apartment or Condo?

Snow and ice surrounding waste bins are safety hazards for your collectors too. It contributes to slips, trips and falls as collectors move heavy waste bins in and out of enclosures, and can even block access to your bins. You can help by alerting your property manager if you see snow and ice in your collection area.

Contact Us

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Email	wastesupport@edmonton.ca

Parking Ban

Winter Collection Tips

Setting Out Carts in Winter

Prevent Food Scraps From Freezing to Your Cart

Live in an Apartment or Condo?

Food Scraps

Recycling

Curbside Collection

Assisted Waste Collection

Contact Us