Safety for trash and recycling starts at the curb

Every week, you roll your trash and recycling carts to the curb, ready to be picked up by Rogue Disposal & Recycling drivers. It’s a routine task you’ve likely done dozens (if not hundreds) of times before. But did you know there’s a reason the carts are designed the way they are? And there’s also a reason why it’s so important to make sure your carts are in the right position at the curb each week?

It’s all about safety. For the safety of our trucks and drivers, and to follow all city and neighborhood ordinances, it’s important that your trash and recycling carts be placed correctly for pickup.

Understanding proper cart placement

Place your roll carts with the wheels flush against the sidewalk or shoulder — or on the sidewalk if you have a bike lane. Make sure there’s at least three feet of clearance between roll carts, five feet of clearance between the roll cart and any vehicles, and 10 feet of clearance between the roll cart and any trees or basketball hoops.

The front of the cart — the side with arrows on the lid — should be facing the road, with the handle side close to the curb. This positioning allows the arms on our trucks to latch onto the cart, lift it into the air and dump the contents into the truck. With no obstacles around, it’s also easier for our team to return the cart safely to the street in an upright position, ready for you to wheel back to wherever you store the carts.

Steering clear of clearance issues

Knowing that the trash or recycling truck uses arms to lift, empty and return the cart to the ground, it’s crucial to make sure there are no obstacles or hazards in the way. This means placing the carts several feet away from any parked cars in the street. It also means looking out for things overhead — like tree branches, basketball hoops and utility lines. Placing your carts at least 10 feet away from any overhead obstacles helps make sure the truck arm doesn’t catch on anything during collection. Our goal is to keep you and your property safe — along with our workers and equipment.

Other things to be aware of

It’s important that our trucks be able to safely and efficiently access the trash and recycling roll carts. But it’s also important that the carts don’t block bike lanes or hinder other services — such as mail delivery and street sweeping — or violate any city or county codes that prohibit obstructions in the right of way. So when you bring your roll carts to the curb each week, make sure they are not in the bike lane or out in the main roadway. And please don’t block sidewalks or a neighbor’s driveway.

Keeping your carts safe too

In order for trucks to safely pick up and collect your trash and recycling, it’s important that the lid on each cart can shut. If your cart is overflowing, additional fees may be incurred or your cart may be left un-serviced.

And never put anything flammable in any of your carts. This includes everything from gasoline, oil-based paints, fireworks and household chemicals (like bleach) to compressed gas cylinders, rechargeable batteries, and ashes and coals. No fluorescent bulbs or tubes either. And nothing oversized or heavy, such as dirt, rocks or concrete. Being able to safely and easily lift your trash and recycling roll carts helps prevent damage and injury.

Thank you for being smart — and safe — with your carts

By following these simple rules, you’re doing your part to help prevent accidents, injury and property damage. Our drivers are used to jumping out of their trucks — primarily to pick up extra bags of trash — but placing your carts in the correct position at the curb makes it easier to keep weekly collection trouble-free.