Abstract: A hand cart for lifting and transporting containers that have hand grip apertures or handles in their sides or ends, or have an inverted U-shaped rim surrounding an open top end. The cart has a base with wheels rotatably mounted at respective laterally opposed ends thereof. An elongate telescoping handle secured to the base extends vertically upward therefrom and has a handgrip mounted on the top end thereof. A J-shaped hook mounted on the handle is adjustably positioned along the length of the handle and releasably connected thereto at selected heights relative to a floor surface and has an outer facing upturned portion. The handle is pivoted forwardly and then rearwardly to releasably engage the hook with the hand grip aperture, handle or rim on a proximal side or end of the container and pivoted further rearwardly to engage the base with a lower portion of the proximal side or end of the container to raise the container off of the floor surface and transport it to a desired location.