Carts FAQ
Will I have to pay for my carts?
What size are my carts?
How will I know which cart is for trash and which cart is for recycling?
Why are my carts green?
I already have a rolling cart at home. Can I use that one?
What should I do with my old trash cans and recycling bins?
If everyone’s carts look the same, how will I know which cart is mine?
What do I do with my cart if I move?
The new carts look big. Are they easy to wheel to and from the curb?
I have a long driveway. How will I get my carts to the curb each week?
Won’t the new carts be more difficult in snow and ice?
Will I have to shovel a larger area of snow to put these out?
Will I have to shovel snow off these carts in the morning like my existing bags and barrels?
Will the new carts tip over in the wind?
Are the new carts animal proof?
Will the new carts take up more space?
My trash/recycling cart is too big. Can I get a smaller cart?
My recycling cart is too small. Can I get a larger cart?
I have excess recycling that won’t fit into my cart. What should I do?
I have excess trash that won’t fit into my cart. What should I do?
My trash cart is too small. Can I get a larger cart?
Will I have to pay for my carts?
No. All residents participating in the curbside collection program will be issued two Town owned carts at no charge.
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What size are my carts?
All residents will receive two 65-gallon carts (one for trash and one for single stream recycling). 65-gallon carts have the capacity to hold approximately five kitchen sized trash bags. 65-gallon carts are 40 inches high and 26 inches wide.
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How will I know which cart is for trash and which cart is for recycling?
The lid of the recycling cart is yellow and is labeled “RECYCLING ONLY”. The lid of the trash cart is black and is labeled “BAGGED TRASH ONLY”.
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Why are my carts green?
The Town chose carts in earth tone colors so they will blend into the landscape. Recycling carts are forest green with a yellow lid, and trash carts are forest green with a black lid. All carts will have the Town seal on the side and will be linked to the location via a serial number and RFID tag embedded in the plastic.
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I already have a rolling cart at home. Can I use that one?
No. Only those carts provided by the Town will work with the automated system to lift the carts. Town provided carts contain an RFID tag for data collection and tracking purposes. Trash and recycling put out in barrels and bins other than those provided by the Town will not be collected once automated collection has begun.
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What should I do with my old trash cans and recycling bins?
Clean and empty trash cans and recycle bins can be brought to the Whipple Avenue Recycling & Compost Facility to be recycled during normal business hours. Recycle bins that are in good shape will be separated and used in classrooms in our schools. Broken bins and barrels will be recycled with the other rigid plastics and metal items.
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If everyone’s carts look the same, how will I know which cart is mine?
Each cart will have a serial number and barcode and an electronic RFID tag. The RFID tag is embedded in the plastic and will identify the serial number and the location. The lid to each cart will also have a white label where you can write your address.
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What do I do with my cart if I move?
Carts issued by the Town are the property of the Town and must remain at the property/address to which they are assigned. It is the responsibility of the new home owner to check and make sure both carts are on the premises prior to occupancy. Landlords are responsible for ensuring carts are available for renters or occupants for each dwelling unit. If you are moving, please inform the Recycling Coordinator of changes in occupancy by calling 568-4440 x12 or email to ahall@ burrillville.org.
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The new carts look big. Are they easy to wheel to and from the curb?
The new carts are easier and safer to maneuver around than other barrels and bags. They are designed for weight distribution and safety and are easy to move to the curb even when they are full. They are senior friendly and roll easily on all types of terrain. It is easier to pull the cart uphill and push the cart downhill.
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I have a long driveway. How will I get my carts to the curb each week?
The new carts are extremely easy to wheel to and from the curb. Some residents with long driveways may wish to create a convenient area at the edge of their property to store their carts. Carts must be stored on the resident’s property and cannot be left curbside for more than 24 hours.
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Won’t the new carts be more difficult in snow and ice?
No. It is actually safer and easier to move the new carts in snow and ice than the standard rolling carts with narrow wheels.
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Will I have to shovel a larger area of snow to put these out?
No. Shoveling is actually less with the new carts as the square area they occupy is less than two bags/barrels and two recycling bins.
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Will I have to shovel snow off these carts in the morning like my existing bags and barrels?
No. The mechanical arm can reach in and pull the cart out of the snow.
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Will the new carts tip over in the wind?
The new carts are very stable and withstand winds up to 35-45 MPH when empty. The lids are attached and won’t blow away.
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Are the new carts animal proof?
The new carts are the most animal proof available. If you store your cart outside and encounter a problem with animals, you can use a bungee cord to secure the lid to the lift bar, but please remember to remove the bungee cord on your collection day or your cart will not be emptied.
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Will the new carts take up more space?
Generally, no. The footprint of the trash cart is smaller than two barrels or bags of trash, and the recycling cart is less than two recycling bins.
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My trash/recycling cart is too big. Can I get a smaller cart?
Residents who want a smaller cart for trash or recycling will be permitted to exchange their Town owned 65-gallon cart for a smaller cart (35-gallon approximate) at no cost. Cart(s) to be exchanged must be clean and in good condition. A $15.00 administrative charge will be assessed if the Town delivers and exchanges the cart(s). No administrative charge will be assessed if the resident exchanges the cart(s) at the designated Town facility. Exchanged carts are subject to availability.
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My recycling cart is too small. Can I get a larger cart?
Residents with an excess of recycling are permitted to exchange their Town owned 65-gallon cart for a larger (96-gallon approximate) at no cost. Cart(s) to be exchanged must be clean and in good condition. A $15 administrative charge will be assessed if the Town delivers and exchanges the cart(s). No administrative charge will be assessed if the resident exchanges the cart(s) at the designated Town facility. Exchanged carts are subject to availability.
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I have excess recycling that won’t fit into my cart. What should I do?
Residents with extra recycling can take it to the Whipple Avenue Recycling & Compost Facility during normal business hours and place it in the mixed recycling container.
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I have excess trash that won’t fit into my cart. What should I do?
Town approved “Overflow Bags” will be available to residents for those occasions when there is excess solid waste that will not fit in the cart. Overflow Bags are $3.00 each and are sold in sleeves of five at Department of Public Works. Overflow Bags must be placed next to the cart. Excess trash must be in a Town approved bag or it will not be collected. Click here for more information on additional places to purchase Overflow Bags.
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My trash cart is too small. Can I get a larger cart?
Residents with an excess of solid waste are permitted to exchange their Town owned 65-gallon cart for a larger (96-gallon approximate) for a one-time charge of $50.00. Cart(s) to be exchanged must be clean and in good condition. A $15.00 administrative charge will be assessed if the Town delivers and exchanges the cart(s). No administrative charge will be assessed if the resident exchanges the cart(s) at the designated Town facility. Exchanged carts are subject to availability.