- Do I have to pay for the cart?
Residents are not required to pay for the cart. If your cart is lost or stolen, fees may be charged as per the Solid Waste and Recycling Bylaw No. 4011, 2020.
- How much does the recycling cart hold?
The recycling cart is 240L.
- What is the physical size of the recycling cart?
Depth - 27 inches (68.58 cm)
Width - 36.5 inches (67.31 cm)
Height - 43.6 inches (110.74 cm)
- What is the weight of the recycling cart?
The cart weight is 30.1 lbs.
- What can go in the recycling cart?
Paper products and packaging (i.e. boxboard, cardboard, newspaper, mixed paper, magazines), metal and plastic containers are accepted in the City of Cranbrook’s curbside recycling program.
For detailed information on acceptable materials and how to prepare them, please refer to the What Goes Where guide or use the Waste Wizard to search recycling options for hundreds of items.
Please note: the following items are not accepted in the curbside recycling collection and can be taken to the RecycleBC depot at the Cranbrook Transfer Station:
- Glass
- Soft plastic (plastic bags and plastic wrapping)
- Household glass containers
- Styrofoam packaging (cushion packaging and food trays)
- Overwrap
- Electronics
- Is there a limit on recycling?
As long as it fits inside your recycling cart, the material will be collected.
- Why are soft plastics not permitted in the recycling cart?
Recycle BC does not permit soft plastics (i.e. plastic grocery bags) to be collected as part of the curbside collection program as it causes operation issues at the processing facilities.
- Will the homeowner own the cart?
The City will own and be responsible for the maintenance of the carts. The carts will be assigned to each household and will stay with the property. The carts will be equipped with identification tags to provide GPS location coordinates to the assigned address; therefore, it is important that the carts stay with the assigned property.
- What if my cart gets damaged, lost or stolen?
If the cart is damaged as a result of manufacturer's defect, please contact the City via 311 or 250-426-4211 to have it serviced/replaced under the extended warranty. Please note, if your cart is deemed to be damaged as a result of abuse, you may be responsible for the replacement cost.
If your cart is lost or stolen, GFL will try to recover it using it's serial number and electronic identification tag. Please contact the City via 311 or 250-426-4211 to report the missing cart. If the contractor cannot locate your cart, your household may be responsible for the replacement cost.
Replacement costs are charged against the property at $75.00.
- Can I buy additional carts from the store and use for curbside recycling collection?
No. The carts may look similar but they are different. The City of Cranbrook’s carts will be Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagged to your address. All carts are equipped with a RFID tag and a unique serial number linked to your assigned property. The collection trucks are equipped with a RFID reader and an onboard computer to verify that residents are using their assigned cart. The cart that was delivered to your home was chosen for its technical specifications, in particular, its durability and compatibility with the automated collection truck.
For clarity, only carts provided by the City of Cranbrook are compatible with the automated curbside collection truck and only City of Cranbrook carts will be collected.
- How do I get my cart to the curb if I have a long driveway?
The cart has large sturdy wheels and a stable base making it easy to move on pavement, gravel, grass and even snow. However, there are circumstances where this may not be possible.
Residents who do not wish to roll their cart down a long or difficult driveway may choose to store it at the end of their driveway within the property limits, ideally inside a shelter, and move it to the edge of the roadway on collection day.
- Do I need to use a liner or bag my recyclables?
No. Keep your recycling loose, not bagged or nested. A liner, bag or any plastic film in your recycling is considered contamination. It will cause issues with the equipment in the truck and sorting facility and may result in the material that would have otherwise been recycled, ending up in the garbage.
- Where do I place my recycling carts on collection day during the winter?
The recycling carts should be placed behind the curb, and clear of the sidewalk. Generally, the most preferred place will be in the driveway, at least 3 feet away from a snowbank or parked vehicle. Do not place garbage or recycling carts on the snowbank(s) as they will not be collected.
- Do I need to put my recycling cart out every week – especially during a major snow event?
No. Your recycling cart should be placed out for pickup only when they are full or near full.
Severe winter weather, such as snowy and icy conditions or roads blocked by downed trees or power lines, may cause GFL to temporarily delay or cancel curbside recycling collection. For service disruptions, the City will notify residents through our various media channels, our website and our social media pages.
- When do my carts need to be at the curb?
Your recycling carts need to be at the curb for 7:30 a.m. on their respective collection days.
During the winter, residents are asked to place their carts out on the morning of collection. This is beneficial to the evening operators for snow plowing and snow removal purposes. For the same reason, residents are also asked to bring their recycling carts in as soon as possible after they are collected. Please note: If your cart is on the roadway, the snow plow will have to go around it and your roadway will narrow.