Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bainbridge Island
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 Bin (Trash)
Have your bins ready at the curb before 6:00 a.m. Ensure the lid is secured and allow 3 feet of clearance from cars, trees, mailboxes, and fences.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Plastic bags and food wrap
- ✓Styrofoam packing peanuts and blocks
- ✓Plastic take-out containers and cups
- ✓Aerosol cans and metal hangers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Collected every other week. All materials must fit inside the bin with the lid secured. Overflowing bins and boxes set on the ground will not be collected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and cereal boxes
- ✓Mail, magazines, and mixed paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and milk jugs
- ✓Metal and aluminum cans
- ✓Clean pizza boxes (no grease or food)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Plastic wrap and bags
- ✕Styrofoam peanuts
- ✕Food-soiled containers
Yard Waste Bin
Subscription service collected every other week. Cart weight cannot exceed 200 lbs. No glass, metal, pet waste, or plastics (including compostable bags).
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, fruit, coffee)
- ✓Shredded paper and paper towels
- ✓Greasy pizza boxes and egg cartons
- ✓Grass, leaves, and prunings
- ✓Branches under 3 feet long and 3 inches in diameter
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-call basis via the 842-JUNK service.
Placement
All bulky items must be placed outside your home and be fully accessible for the crew. Workers will not enter your house to retrieve items.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and couches
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Hot water tanks
- ✓ Hot tubs
- ✓ Large appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and asbestos
- ✕ Industrial waste
- ✕ Medical waste
- ✕ Soil and rocks
There is a flat rate for the pickup plus an additional charge based on the materials collected. Call 206-842-4882 for an exact quote.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Bainbridge Disposal observes these six major holidays. If your collection day falls on or after the holiday, your pickup schedule may be affected. The main office and transfer station are also closed on these days.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling follow the same holiday scheduling rules as regular garbage collection.
Always check the Bainbridge Disposal digital pickup schedule calendar to confirm exact holiday collection shifts for your specific neighborhood.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Compost
Unlike some regional facilities, Bainbridge Disposal strictly bans all 'compostable' bags, bioplastics, and plastic food wrap from the green yard waste bin. These items do not break down efficiently and must be thrown in the garbage.
Shredded Paper Goes in Compost, Not Recycling
Do not put shredded paper in your blue recycling bin. The small pieces blow around and contaminate the sorting facility. Instead, Bainbridge Disposal allows you to place shredded paper into your green food and yard waste bin for composting.
Keep the Lids Closed
All items must fit inside your recycling and garbage bins with the lids completely secured. Bainbridge Disposal drivers will not collect overflowing bins or any boxes/bags placed on the ground next to the carts.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryDuring severe winter weather, snow, or icy roads, collection routes may be delayed for safety. Monitor Bainbridge Disposal's website for real-time service updates and leave your bins at the curb until they can be safely collected.
Post-Holiday
JanuaryLocal Bainbridge Island Scout Troops typically organize an annual curbside Christmas tree pickup event in early January. Residents must usually make a reservation and provide a requested donation for the pickup.
Year-Round
January to DecemberThe Bainbridge Disposal Transfer Station on Vincent Road is closed every Monday and Tuesday, as well as on all major holidays. Plan your self-haul trips accordingly.
About Bainbridge Island Waste Management
Bainbridge Disposal Partnership
Residential solid waste on Bainbridge Island is managed by a private hauler, Bainbridge Disposal [1.1.2]. They provide weekly curbside garbage collection and every-other-week recycling services for residents. Residents must set up their utility accounts and direct all inquiries regarding billing, cart repairs, and missed pickups to Bainbridge Disposal rather than the city government.
Island Zero Waste Initiatives
Bainbridge Island faces unique waste management challenges as a small island in Puget Sound. Because solid waste is trucked and shipped by rail to a landfill in eastern Oregon, it carries a large carbon footprint. To combat this, the city strongly encourages zero-waste initiatives, prompting residents to maximize their use of the curbside recycling and compost programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Robust Food Scraps Composting
Bainbridge Disposal offers a highly effective, every-other-week subscription service for yard and food waste. Residents are encouraged to use their green organics bin for much more than just grass clippings. You can compost meat, dairy, coffee grounds, eggshells, paper towels, and greasy pizza boxes. However, absolutely no plastic—including 'compostable' bags—can go into the compost cart.
The 842-JUNK Bulky Item Service
Bainbridge Disposal operates a specialized on-call bulk waste service known as 842-JUNK. Instead of waiting for a community cleanup day, residents can call this dedicated hotline to schedule the removal of oversized items like hot tubs, mattresses, and furniture. Workers will haul the items away, provided they are placed outside and are easily accessible.
Bainbridge Island Transfer Station
For self-haulers, the Bainbridge Disposal Transfer Station on Vincent Road is an essential island resource. Open Wednesday through Sunday, the facility accepts residential garbage, yard waste, and recyclables. It also serves as the island's primary drop-off location for specialty items like used motor oil, antifreeze, household batteries, sharps, and electronic waste (e-waste).
Drop-off Facilities
Bainbridge Disposal Transfer Station
7215 Vincent Rd, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage and recycling services on Bainbridge Island?
Bainbridge Disposal is the private hauler that provides residential garbage, recycling, and optional yard waste collection for Bainbridge Island [1.1.2].
Can I compost meat and dairy in my yard waste bin?
Yes. The Bainbridge Disposal yard and food waste bin accepts meat, dairy, coffee grounds, and greasy pizza boxes alongside standard yard debris. However, do not include plastic or 'compostable' bags.
How do I dispose of old electronics and TVs?
E-waste, including computers, monitors, and TVs, can be dropped off at the Bainbridge Disposal Transfer Station on Vincent Road.
Does the 842-JUNK service pick up items from inside the house?
No. If you schedule a bulky item pickup through the 842-JUNK service, all items like couches or mattresses must be placed outside and be fully accessible for the workers to collect.