With increased online shopping taking place during the pandemic, there’s an immense amount of cardboard to be recycled at people’s homes.

Recology, the city’s recycling and solid waste contractor, notes that when residents have more cardboard than fits in their recycling cart, they should flatten and stack the extra inside a cardboard box no larger than 3x3x3 feet. Or, they can flatten and tear the cardboard into pieces no larger than 3×3 feet and then bundle it with twine. Residents can set the extra cardboard next to their recycling cart with a limit of an additional 96 gallons per collection. If residents exceed the 96-gallon limit, they can call Recology customer service at 206-381-6980 to make arrangements to accommodate the overage.

Recology’s best practices for customers during the pandemic:

* Organic materials should go in the compost, while cardboard, paper, glass, metal and plastic containers should go in the recycling.

* Break down cardboard boxes, crush cans and try to save space in carts to make sure it’s not overflowing and that lids stay closed.

* Trash should be secured in bags to prevent materials from blowing onto the street. Make sure all trash fits inside the curbside cart with the lid tightly closed.

* To ensure driver safety, they aren’t scheduling bulky item pick-ups at this time.

* Washing hands before and after rolling carts to the curb will help keep both residents and their driver safe. People can also wipe down the cart handles and lids with a sanitizing wipe to further protect themselves and drivers.

* Roll carts to the curb the night before pick-up day, and position bins 24 inches apart to allow automated trucks to collect carts effectively.