Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Auburn
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.
Gray or Black Bin (Trash)
All household garbage should be bagged before being placed in the gray or black cart. Carts must be set out by 7:00 a.m. with lids completely closed and placed 3 feet away from cars, trees, and mailboxes.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Broken glass and ceramics
- ✓Chip bags and candy wrappers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected every other week. All recyclables must be empty, clean, and dry. Do not place items in plastic bags; toss them loosely into the blue cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper bags
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Do not put plastic in your yard cart. Food scraps can be placed in Kraft paper bags or approved Cedar Grove compostable bags. Yard trimmings must not be placed in plastic garbage bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Kitchen food scraps
- ✓Food-soiled paper (e.g., pizza boxes)
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Branches and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once per year free of charge
Placement
You must schedule the pickup in advance by contacting WM. Items should be placed curbside by 7:00 a.m. on the confirmed collection day, clear of low-hanging wires or parked cars.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large furniture (sofas, chairs)
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Large boxed items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Large auto parts
The first scheduled pickup of up to four items is completely free. Additional bulk pickups can be scheduled for a fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Weekday holidays will delay collection by one day for the remainder of the week. For example, if a holiday falls on a Thursday, Thursday customers will be collected on Friday, and Friday customers on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard and food waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as garbage and recycling.
WM in Auburn only observes these three annual holidays. All other holidays (such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the 4th of July) will not affect your collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
Plastic bags get caught in the conveyor belts at the WM recycling center, causing costly shutdowns. Never bag your recyclables, and take soft plastic films back to your local grocery store for specialized recycling.
Toss the Shredded Paper
Because of its small size, shredded paper is incredibly difficult to sort from other recyclables and often ends up contaminating glass and plastic batches. Always throw shredded paper into your regular garbage cart.
Do Not Bag Yard Waste in Plastic
Plastic bags are not compostable and cause severe processing and odor problems at the composting facility. Use heavy-duty paper yard bags or bundle extra branches with natural sisal twine.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October - NovemberDuring heavy leaf drop season, extra yard trimmings that do not fit in your yard cart can be placed in Kraft paper yard bags or 32-gallon cans with handles clearly labeled 'Yard'. A fee applies for extra units beyond basic service.
Winter
December - FebruarySevere Pacific Northwest snowstorms or icy roads can delay WM collection trucks. If your service is interrupted due to weather, check the WM Auburn website for real-time recovery schedules before leaving bins out indefinitely.
Spring
March - MaySpring cleaning is the perfect time to utilize your free Annual Bulk Item Curbside Pickup. Schedule your collection of up to four large items by calling WM Customer Service at 253-939-9792.
About Auburn Waste Management
Auburn's Comprehensive Partnership with Waste Management
Effective October 2021, the City of Auburn transitioned its contracted solid waste collection from Republic Services to Waste Management (WM). This comprehensive service covers all residential garbage, every-other-week recycling, and yard/food waste collection for customers within the city limits. WM also directly handles all billing and customer service inquiries for Auburn residents, creating a streamlined, single point of contact.
The 'Oops' Tagging Program for Cleaner Recycling
To actively combat recycling contamination and adhere to strict global recycling market standards, the City of Auburn and WM utilize 'Recycling Only Oops' tags. If a driver spots unaccepted materials like plastic bags or food waste in your blue recycling cart, they will leave an informational tag explaining the error. Repeated contamination can result in the cart not being serviced until the incorrect items are removed.
Free Organics Kitchen Containers for Subscribers
Auburn strongly encourages residents to divert organic waste from local landfills. Residents subscribed to the yard and food waste program can pick up a free organics kitchen container (while supplies last) at the City of Auburn Customer Service Center's Utility Counter on East Main Street. This makes collecting everyday food scraps, such as coffee grounds and vegetable peels, highly convenient before transferring them to the outdoor green cart.
Annual Free Bulky Item Collection Benefit
A standout feature of Auburn's residential waste program is the Annual Bulk Item Curbside Pickup. All WM Auburn residential garbage customers are entitled to one completely free bulky item collection per calendar year. Households can schedule a pickup for up to four large items, such as mattresses or broken furniture, saving residents the time and expense of hauling heavy goods to a regional transfer station.
Strict 24-Hour Cart Placement Rules
To keep Auburn's neighborhoods clean and accessible, city regulations dictate that solid waste carts should be placed at the curb no earlier than 24 hours before your scheduled collection day. Furthermore, empty carts must be removed from the public right-of-way no later than 24 hours after service. Where available, residents should place their carts directly in the grass planter strips between the curb and the sidewalk.
Drop-off Facilities
Algona Transfer Station
35315 W Valley Hwy S, Algona, WA 98001
Materials Accepted
Bow Lake Recycling & Transfer Station
18800 Orillia Rd S, Tukwila, WA 98188
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the garbage hauler for the City of Auburn, WA?
As of October 2021, Waste Management (WM) is the contracted solid waste hauler for the City of Auburn. They handle all garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection, as well as billing and customer service.
What does an 'Oops' tag on my recycling bin mean?
An 'Oops' tag means the WM driver spotted unacceptable items, such as plastic bags, food waste, or styrofoam, in your blue recycling cart. You must remove the contamination before the cart can be properly serviced.
Does Auburn offer free bulky item pickup for large furniture?
Yes. All WM residential garbage customers in Auburn are eligible for one free Annual Bulk Item Curbside Pickup per year. You can schedule up to four large items (like mattresses or appliances) by calling WM at 253-939-9792.
Can I put kitchen food scraps in my yard waste cart?
Yes! Auburn residents with a yard and food waste subscription are encouraged to put kitchen organics, including vegetable scraps and food-soiled paper, directly into the green yard waste cart. Just ensure you never use plastic bags.