Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bellingham
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.
Black or Grey Bin (Trash)
All regular garbage must be securely bagged and tied before being placed in the bin. Carts should be placed at the curb the night before your scheduled pickup day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene)
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Broken ceramics and glass
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Bellingham utilizes a single-stream recycling system. Do not bag your recyclables; all empty, clean, and dry items should be tossed loosely directly into the 96-gallon cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film wrappers
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Styrofoam blocks or peanuts
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
The FoodPlus! program uses a 60-gallon green bin with a yellow lid. This service is mandatory for single-family homes and is collected every other week. Never use plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Kitchen food scraps (meat, dairy, vegetables)
- ✓Compostable takeout containers and packaging
- ✓Leaves, grass clippings, and weeds
- ✓Branches and plant trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand by appointment
Placement
You must complete an online form to approve your estimate. Once scheduled, set your items at the curb at the agreed-upon time, keeping them clear of vehicles and overhead wires.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and large furniture
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Electronics and remodeling debris
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste or chemicals
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Hot tubs containing water or chemicals (must be drained)
- ✕ Unsecured piles of loose debris
Rates vary based on the type of item, size of the load, and your location. Contact SSC at 360-734-3490 for an exact quote.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The SSC business office and collection routes are closed on most major holidays. If your scheduled pickup falls on a holiday, collection is generally delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
The FoodPlus! organics collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular garbage and recycling.
For exact holiday schedule shifts, residents are strongly encouraged to use the SSC Collection Schedule Calendar tool or the ReCollect mobile app.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
Plastic garbage and grocery bags jam the automated sorting machinery at the Whatcom County materials recovery facility. Always toss your recyclables loosely into your blue bin, and take soft film plastics to local grocery store drop-offs.
Compost Your Takeout Containers
Bellingham has a strict single-use plastics ban, meaning many local restaurants now use compostable takeout containers. Instead of throwing these in the trash, put them straight into your FoodPlus! bin.
Set Extra Recycling Out Correctly
SSC allows you to put out extra moderate quantities of recycling for free. Just place the extra materials next to your recycling bin in an open plastic tub or cardboard box (max 35 lbs), rather than stuffing the main cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - FebruarySevere Pacific Northwest snowstorms or icy hills can delay SSC collection trucks. Download the SSC mobile app to receive real-time weather alerts and updated recovery schedules.
Spring
May - JuneDuring the WWU student move-out period, do not abandon furniture on city sidewalks or dumpsters. Utilize the 'Pack it Out!' resources to donate goods, or call SSC for a 'You Call, We Haul' bulky item pickup.
Fall
October - NovemberKeep Bellingham's storm drains clear of falling leaves to prevent neighborhood flooding. Place all yard debris into your FoodPlus! bin rather than sweeping it into the street.
About Bellingham Waste Management
Transitioning to Single-Stream Recycling
In 2024, the City of Bellingham partnered with Sanitary Service Company (SSC) to modernize residential waste by transitioning away from an outdated three-bin curb-sorted system to single-stream recycling [1.1.1]. Residents now use a single 96-gallon wheeled cart with an attached lid, which helps prevent wind-blown litter near Bellingham Bay and protects paper and cardboard from rain damage.
Mandatory FoodPlus! Organics Collection
To combat methane gas emissions and comply with statewide climate action goals, Bellingham made SSC’s FoodPlus! organic waste collection mandatory for all single-family homes in early 2025. Residents use a distinctive 60-gallon green bin with a yellow lid to dispose of kitchen scraps, yard waste, and compostable takeout containers, significantly reducing the volume of garbage shipped to distant landfills.
Managing WWU Student Move-Out Waste
As home to Western Washington University, Bellingham faces unique waste challenges during peak student move-out periods. The city actively partners with WWU and local neighborhood groups through the 'Moving Out? Pack it Out!' program to drastically reduce the amount of abandoned furniture and household items left on curbs. Residents are urged to donate, sell, or properly recycle these materials rather than dumping them illegally on public property.
SSC's 'You Call, We Haul' Bulk Disposal
When you have old mattresses, broken furniture, or outdated appliances that won’t fit in a standard cart, SSC offers a flexible on-demand bulky item pickup service. Known as 'You Call, We Haul,' this residential junk hauling program requires no minimum charge and can be scheduled directly online or by phone. Simply place your items at the curb on the approved estimate day.
Free Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
Proper disposal of hazardous chemicals is critical to keeping Whatcom County’s waterways clean. Bellingham residents cannot throw items like old paint, motor oil, antifreeze, or pesticides into their SSC curbside bins. Instead, these toxic materials can be dropped off safely and for free at the Whatcom County Disposal of Toxics facility located on Airport Drive.
Drop-off Facilities
Bellingham Drop Box Facility & Recycling Center
1001 Roeder Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225
Materials Accepted
Whatcom County Disposal of Toxics
3505 Airport Dr, Bellingham, WA 98226
Materials Accepted
Cedarville Drop Box Facility & Recycling Center
3463 Cedarville Road, Bellingham, WA 98226
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage and recycling pickup in Bellingham, WA?
Residential garbage, recycling, and organic waste collection in the City of Bellingham is managed by a private contractor, Sanitary Service Company (SSC). You can reach them at 360-734-3490.
What is the FoodPlus! program in Bellingham?
FoodPlus! is Bellingham's organic waste collection program. Single-family residents are required to use a 60-gallon green bin with a yellow lid to dispose of kitchen scraps, yard debris, and compostable takeout containers, which is picked up every other week.
Do I have to sort my recycling into three bins?
No. In 2024, Bellingham and SSC switched to a single-stream recycling system. You now place all of your empty, clean, and dry recyclables loosely into a single 96-gallon wheeled cart.
How do I throw away an old couch or mattress in Bellingham?
You can schedule a curbside bulk pickup through SSC's 'You Call, We Haul' program for an additional fee, or you can self-haul the items to the Bellingham Drop Box Facility located at 1001 Roeder Avenue.