Recycling carts & totes
Two-wheeled carts are the cheapest way into commercial recycling. They fit behind a counter or in a back hallway, roll to the curb, and most haulers can empty them.
What they cost
Indicative, before tax, dated and sourced. Confirm with the supplier.
| Product or service | Size | Price (CAD, before tax) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPL wheeled cart, green | 64 gal (≈240 L) | $129.98 | Seen Oct 19, 2026 homedepot.ca |
| Blue bin for business recycling | 95 gal (≈360 L) | $132.85 | Seen Oct 19, 2026 toronto.ca |
| Trash can with wheels, blue | 65 gal | $173–$188 | Seen Oct 19, 2026 uline.ca |
| Trash can with wheels, blue | 95 gal | $201–$215 | Seen Oct 19, 2026 uline.ca |
| Rubbermaid recycling container with wheels | 50 gal | $208 | Seen Oct 19, 2026 uline.ca |
| Rubbermaid recycling container with wheels | 95 gal | $305–$332 | Seen Oct 19, 2026 uline.ca |
| Toter Bear Tough cart (wildlife-resistant) | 96 gal | $697–$738 | Seen Oct 19, 2026 uline.ca |
Which size?
Carts are sold in US gallons. A 96-gallon cart holds about 360 litres — roughly the same as six kitchen garbage bags. Two-yard front-load bins hold about four of them.
| Size | Holds roughly | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 32 gal (≈120 L) | About 2 kitchen bags | Small office, café paper and cans |
| 64 gal (≈240 L) | About 4 kitchen bags | Retail unit, clinic, small restaurant |
| 95–96 gal (≈360 L) | About 6 kitchen bags | Busy restaurant, office floor, multi-tenant building |
Before you sign anything
Buy or rent? Buying a cart is a one-time cost and it is yours if you switch haulers. Renting usually comes bundled into a hauler's service fee — convenient, but the cart leaves with the contract.
Check it fits the truck. Haulers empty carts with a tipper or by hand. Ask which lift your hauler uses before you buy, especially for 32-gal carts and anything with a lock.
Colour and labels matter. Blue for recycling, green for organics, grey or black for garbage is the common convention. Clear labels cut contamination — and contamination charges.
Ask for: the unit price, the lid colour, a lid lock if you share an alley, delivery cost, and whether the hauler will empty a cart you bought elsewhere.
Suppliers listed for this bin type: Uline Canada, Emterra Group, Miller Waste Systems, Lalema.
Questions people ask
What size recycling cart does a small business need?
Most small offices and shops start with one 64- or 96-gallon cart emptied weekly. The bin size calculator estimates it from your staff or seats.
Is it cheaper to buy a recycling cart or rent one?
Buying costs more up front but nothing monthly, and the cart stays with you if you change haulers. Renting spreads the cost into the service fee. Over a multi-year contract, owning usually costs less — compare both in the same quote request.
How many litres is a 96-gallon cart?
About 363 litres. A US gallon is 3.785 litres, and many Canadian sellers label the same cart as 95 gallons or 360 litres.