Never miss your
collection day
What if your carts are full?
Blue cart
If your blue cart is full, you can take your extra
recyclables to a Community Recycling Depot, or save
them for collection the following week.
Get free reminders
before your pick-up
Exposure to rain and snow can reduce the quality of
recyclables, and wind creates a problem with litter
in the community. For this reason, we only collect
recyclables that fit inside the blue cart or community
depot bins.
Choose how:
• App for iPhone and Android devices
• Text message
• Email
• Phone call
• Embed your schedule into your
online calendar
If your blue cart is full,
you can take your extra
recyclables to a Community
Recycling Depot.
Black cart
Fill your black cart first. If you have any additional
bags, make sure to place them at least 30 cm (1 foot)
away from your cart.
Only use standard plastic garbage bags
(66cm x 91 cm) that are strong enough to hold
the contents and weigh less than 20 kilograms
(44 pounds) each when filled. If you can easily lift
the bag with one hand it should be okay.
Choose when:
• The day before collection
• The morning of collection
Getting reminders is
easy and free. Sign up at
calgary.ca/collectionschedule.
Taking care of your carts
You are responsible for taking care of
your carts and keeping them clean.
Record your address and cart serial numbers
 Write your address on the side of your carts.
 Write down the serial number and keep it
somewhere safe. This will help us identify
your carts if they are lost or need repairs.
2015-2429
Fill your black cart
first. If you have any
additional bags, make sure
to place them at least 30 cm
(1 foot) away from your cart.
Damaged or missing carts
If your carts are damaged or missing, contact 311 for
free repair or replacement.
If you move
Please do not take your carts with you. The carts
remain the property of The City. If you need a blue or
black cart at your new residence, contact 311.
Have more questions?
Max. 20 kg.
Min. 30 cm (1 ft.)
Visit calgary.ca/cartplacement for more tips
and information.
Blue and
black cart
collection
Your guide to recycling
and garbage pickup.
How to use your carts properly:
The automated arms on the
collection truck need to grab
and lift the carts. If there isn’t enough
space for the equipment to operate
properly, your recyclables and
garbage will not be picked up.
We start early! Put out your carts
by 7 a.m. on your collection day.
1
Min. 1 metre (3 feet)
Fill it:
Place recyclables loose in your blue cart and garbage
in your black cart, and lower the lids. Make sure the
material in your carts is not packed too tightly and can
easily come out when the truck picks it up.
Here’s what you need to know
What goes in each cart?
Your blue cart is for recycling. Your black cart is for
household garbage. To find out what you can put
in each cart, and how to prepare materials, visit
calgary.ca/bluecart.
3
Space it:
Leave enough space around your carts so that
you can walk between and around them. Leave at
least one metre (3 feet) of space between your carts
and other objects such as parked cars, power poles,
utility boxes, fences, downspouts and garages. It is
important to ensure there is at least three metres
(10 feet) of space above the carts. If carts are placed
underneath a tree, overhang or power line, they can’t
be collected safely.
Where to put your carts?
Blue carts and black carts are collected in the
same location. Contact 311 to find whether you have
back lane or front curb collection.
When do I put out my carts?
We start early. To ensure collection, put out your
carts by 7 a.m. on your collection day. Receive free
weekly reminders at calgary.ca/collectionschedule.
Not sure what to do with other items?
Visit calgary.ca/whatgoeswhere to find out
how to donate, recycle or safely dispose of your
unwanted items.
2
Place it:
On collection day, place the carts on even ground on
the street or in the back lane. Make sure they don’t
block traffic.
 On the front street: Place cart wheels
against the curb.
 In the back lane: Place cart wheels at the edge of
your back lane with enough space away from your
back hedge, garage or fence.
Arrange the cart so the arrows on the lid are pointed
toward the centre of the road or lane.
4
Store it:
Pull your empty carts back on to your property or
against your fence by 7 p.m. on your collection day.
Min. 1 metre (3 feet)