Prevent Litter From Escaping Trash Carts On Windy Days: Prince George's County

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Due to expected rain and high winds on Tuesday, the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment reminds residents to secure their recycling and regular trash-wheeled carts and bulky items to prevent litter from blowing throughout neighborhoods and possible damage to the containers.

A few other tips for inclement waste collection from the department include:

• Bag and tie all trash before placing it in the wheeled carts, especially small, lightweight items.

• Place lighter materials at the bottom of the wheeled cart and heavier items on top to prevent the more lightweight items from blowing out.

• Be sure your lid can close. Trash and recycling items are more susceptible to blowing out of the cart when the lid is not completely shut.

• If necessary, place a heavy object on the lid to keep items from blowing out.

• If a wheeled cart is only half-full, consider waiting until the next collection week to place it at the curb.

• Make sure separate bulky items are secure and unable to blow away.

• Turn the container parallel to the curb with the wind directed at the back of the bin to help prevent the cart from tipping over.

• Bring the cart in as soon as possible after collection to reduce the risk of the cart blowing down the street.

• Once collections are completed, check around the area to see if any materials may have inadvertently been left behind and toss them in the appropriate waste receptacle for the next collection cycle.