Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bothell
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/Black Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged before being placed in the cart. The lid must close completely, and carts should be spaced at least three feet apart at the curb.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Pet waste and diapers (double-bagged)
- ✓Styrofoam packing peanuts (bagged)
- ✓Broken glass or ceramics (safely wrapped)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be empty, clean, and dry. Place all items loosely in the cart; never use plastic bags to hold your recycling.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Empty plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum cans and tin foil
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (lids removed)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags or film
- ✕Block Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste or greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Shredded paper (unless boxed)
Yard Waste Bin
Collected weekly. Do not use plastic bags. Use only BPI-certified compostable bags or brown kraft paper bags if you need to line your kitchen compost pail.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (coffee filters, greasy pizza boxes)
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Weeds and plant trimmings
- ✓Small branches (under 4 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One free curbside pickup per calendar year.
Placement
You must schedule your free pickup in advance. Place approved items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your designated bulky waste collection day, keeping them clear of regular carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Large metal items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and liquid chemicals
- ✕ Loose construction debris
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Commercial waste
After utilizing your one free annual pickup, additional bulky item collections can be scheduled for an extra fee. Call Recology at 425-453-0220 to arrange.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your regularly scheduled collection falls on or after one of these three observed holidays, service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as garbage service.
Recology operates as normal on all other holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Cart
Flexible plastics like grocery bags, produce bags, and bubble wrap wrap around the sorting machinery at the King County recycling plant. Either throw them in the garbage or take them to a local supermarket drop-off.
Styrofoam Requires Special Handling
Even if it has a recycling symbol, expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) is never allowed in your curbside blue bin. It breaks into micro-plastics during transit. You must drop it off at the Bothell Recology Store or put it in the trash.
Separate Lids from Jars
When recycling glass jars or plastic bottles, always remove the lids. Metal lids can be recycled loosely if they are larger than 3 inches, but plastic caps easily fall through the sorting grates and should generally be thrown in the garbage.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryBothell's steep hills can become hazardous during Pacific Northwest snow and ice events. If Recology delays your service due to dangerous roads, pull your carts back in. They will collect double the normal volume for no extra charge on your next safe collection day.
Post-Holiday
JanuaryRecology provides seasonal holiday tree recycling. Bare trees (absolutely no tinsel, flocking, or ornaments) can be cut into sections and placed in or next to your green organics cart for compost processing.
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring heavy fall leaf drop, residents with excess yard waste must put it in heavy-duty paper yard bags or bundle branches with natural twine. Extra yard waste set next to the green cart may be subject to additional fees.
About Bothell Waste Management
Unified Waste Service Across Two Counties
Bothell holds a unique geographic position, straddling the line between King and Snohomish counties. While this can complicate some municipal services, the City of Bothell maintains a single, unified solid waste contract with Recology for all residents within city limits. This ensures standard rates, consistent pickup schedules, and equitable access to recycling programs regardless of which county you reside in.
The Canyon Park Recology Store
A crown jewel of Bothell's waste management program is the physical Recology Store located in the Canyon Park shopping center. This retail and sustainability hub serves as a free community drop-off point for tricky materials that cannot go into curbside bins. Bothell residents can easily recycle items like block Styrofoam, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), textiles, hardcover books, and household batteries during regular store hours.
Curbside Special Item Collection
You don't always have to visit the store to dispose of hazardous or special items. Recology offers Bothell single-family residents an on-call curbside pickup service for hard-to-recycle materials. By properly sealing items like used motor oil, small household electronics, and bagged dead batteries, you can schedule them to be safely collected right next to your blue recycling cart on your normal service day.
Comprehensive Organics and Composting
In alignment with Washington State's aggressive landfill diversion laws, Bothell strongly encourages the use of the green organics cart. Weekly yard and food waste collection is standard for residential accounts. Residents are encouraged to put all food scraps—including meat, dairy, bones, and food-soiled paper—into the compost bin, which is then transported to local facilities to be processed into nutrient-rich Cedar Grove compost.
Drop-off Facilities
Recology Store - Bothell
22833 Bothell Everett Hwy, #111, Bothell, WA 98021
Materials Accepted
Houghton Transfer Station
11724 NE 60th St, Kirkland, WA 98033
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What items can I drop off at the Recology Store in Canyon Park?
The Bothell Recology Store is a fantastic resource for recycling items that shouldn't go in your curbside bin. You can drop off clean block Styrofoam, old textiles, household batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, and small electronics. Be sure to check store hours before visiting.
How do I schedule my free bulky item pickup in Bothell?
Single-family residential customers in Bothell get one free curbside bulk item pickup per year. To request this service for an old couch, mattress, or appliance, you must contact Recology customer service at 425-453-0220 to get placed on the schedule.
Does my location in King or Snohomish County change my trash schedule?
No. Even though Bothell spans two counties, the City maintains a unified solid waste contract with Recology for all residents within city limits, meaning rules and schedules remain consistent regardless of your county lines.
What should I do with extra yard waste during the fall?
If your green cart is full during peak leaf season, you can put extra yard waste in compostable kraft paper bags or bundle branches with natural twine. Place them next to your cart. Note that extra yard waste units outside the cart may be subject to a small additional fee on your bill.