I don't believe this was well thought out.  These things are too heavy.  Now add the weight of the contents when full or half full.  What about people that have to pull these uphill to get them to the curb?  I know I had all I could handle getting an empty one into the pickup truck bed.

I think if the one you were given is too much of a challenge, you can ask for a smaller one, about half size.   And if you need a larger one I think there is one about twice the size.

Im using ours for a garbage can...so does anyone know how much more a month we are being charged for these things?

I'm not absolutely sure, but I don't believe the garbage men will empty them if there is regular trash in them.