Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Arlington
Washington state municipal collections operate on weekly zone-based routes. Specific days are determined by your Organics Recycling Collection Area (ORCA).
State Mandate
Comply with the WA Organics Management Law. E-waste and hazardous materials are strictly prohibited.
Grey or Green Bin (Trash)
Bag all garbage securely before placing it in your primary cart. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. with the lid completely closed. Overloaded carts may incur an additional extra garbage fee.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam and foam packaging
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter (double-bagged)
- ✓Diapers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclables loosely directly into the blue cart. Never put recyclables in plastic bags. Ensure all items are Empty, Clean, and Dry before disposal.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, unwaxed cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper, mail, and newspaper
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film wrap
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food residue and liquids
- ✕Scrap metal
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags. Layer wet food scraps with dry yard waste to minimize odors. For excess yard trimmings, use approved heavy-duty paper yard bags, 32-gallon cans labeled 'Yard', or bundles tied with natural sisal twine.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves, branches, and brush
- ✓Fruit, vegetable, meat, and dairy scraps
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
- ✓Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On demand (requires scheduling) or at the Annual Clean-Up Event
Placement
For curbside bulky pickups, place the item at the curb only on the morning of your confirmed special pickup date.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
- ✓ Non-freon household appliances
- ✓ Tires (at the City Clean-Up event)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Liquid hazardous waste
- ✕ Chemicals and pesticides
- ✕ Wet oil-based paints
- ✕ Automobile fluids
Extra fees apply for all curbside bulky item collections through WM. The City of Arlington's Annual Clean-Up Event at the Arlington Airport is accessible using your city utility billing statement.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
WM observes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If your normal collection day falls on or after one of these weekday holidays, service is delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling follow the exact same one-day delay schedule as regular garbage for the three major winter holidays.
Garbage collection is suspended on Independence Day (July 4th), but recycling and yard debris services remain unchanged and will be picked up as scheduled.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryDuring heavy Pacific Northwest snowstorms or ice events, Snohomish County collection routes may be delayed for safety. Check the WM Northwest Service Alerts page. If your street is impassable, leave your carts at the curb for recovery when weather conditions improve.
Summer
JulyRemember Arlington's unique Independence Day rule: Garbage collection is completely suspended on July 4th, but recycling and yard waste routes operate completely normally on that day.
Fall
October to NovemberHeavy autumn leaf drops can quickly fill your yard waste bin. Cut large branches so they fit loosely and don't jam the cart. If you exceed capacity, extra leaves can be placed in 32-gallon cans labeled 'Yard' or Kraft paper yard bags for an additional fee.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Scrap Metal into Cold Cash Around Arlington
While Arlington doesn't have a specific local buyback center right in town, don't let those old cans and scrap metal pile up! In Snohomish County, you've got options for getting a little cash back. Places like Seattle Iron & Metals or Pacific Recycling often accept various metals. You might have to drive a bit, maybe towards Everett or Seattle, but it's worth checking their websites for accepted materials and current prices. Think of it as a treasure hunt for your old bike frames or appliances – you might be surprised what they'll take!
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Arlington
Before you toss those unwanted items, think about giving them a new home through local donations! Arlington has organizations like the Mount Vernon Salvation Army Thrift Store and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Everett that are always looking for furniture, clothing, and household goods in good condition. It’s a fantastic way to declutter your space while helping out neighbors and keeping usable items out of the landfill. Check their websites or give them a call to see what they're accepting right now.
Keeping Arlington Beautiful: Tackling Nasty Dumping
Let's face it, nobody likes seeing trash dumped where it doesn't belong. If you spot illegal dumping in or around Arlington, reporting it is super important to keep our community clean. Snohomish County has a process for this. Often, you can report it to the County Solid Waste Division or Public Works department. They usually have a hotline or an online form to file a report. Keeping an eye out and letting the right folks know makes a big difference for everyone.
Drop-off Facilities
North County Recycling and Transfer Station
19600 63rd Avenue NE, Arlington, WA 98223
Materials Accepted
Snohomish County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off
3434 McDougall Ave, Everett, WA 98201
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage collection in Arlington, WA?
Waste Management (WM) Northwest is the official, franchised residential solid waste hauler for the City of Arlington, providing garbage, recycling, and optional yard waste services.
How do holidays affect my trash pickup in Arlington?
WM only delays service by one day for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. For the 4th of July, garbage collection is skipped, but recycling and yard waste are collected normally.
What goes in the green yard and food waste cart?
You can put yard trimmings (grass, leaves, branches) and food waste (meat, dairy, coffee grounds, eggshells, fruit) in the organics cart. Do not include plastic bags, dirt, rocks, or compostable plastics.
Where can I dispose of an old mattress or large appliance in Arlington?
You can schedule a curbside bulk pickup by calling WM at 1-800-592-9995 (fees apply), self-haul it to the North County Transfer Station on 63rd Ave NE, or wait for the City's Annual Clean-Up Event.