Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bothell West
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 (varies by standard WM cart) Bin (Trash)
Bag all garbage securely before placing it in the cart. Double bag messy items like pet waste and cold ashes. The cart must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. with the lid completely closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✓Pet waste (double-bagged)
- ✓Cold ashes and sawdust (double-bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place all items loosely in the blue cart—never bag your recyclables. Ensure all food and beverage containers are Empty, Clean, and Dry. Lids should be removed from glass jars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, unwaxed cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper and magazines
- ✓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. Extra yard waste can be placed in heavy-duty paper yard bags, 35-gallon cans labeled 'Yard', or bundles tied with natural twine (4'x2' limit).
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)
Placement
Once scheduled, place your bulky items at the curb securely on the morning of your confirmed special pickup date.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
- ✓ Large household junk
- ✓ Non-freon appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Liquid hazardous waste
- ✕ Chemicals and pesticides
- ✕ Vehicle batteries
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Wet oil-based paints
Extra fees apply for all bulky item collections. You must contact Waste Management Northwest at 1-800-592-9995 to request an exact quote and book your pickup.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Waste Management Northwest observes Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your collection day falls on or after a weekday holiday, service is delayed by one day for the remainder of the week (e.g., Thursday customers picked up Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the standard garbage routes.
For all other holidays, including Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day, your trash will be collected on its normal schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
Plastic garbage bags, grocery bags, and stretch wrap are the worst contaminants in the recycling stream. They tangle in sorting machinery and cause facility shutdowns. Take plastic film to local grocery store drop-offs instead.
Remove Lids from Glass Jars
While glass bottles and jars are fully accepted in your recycling cart, the metal or plastic lids attached to them cause sorting issues. Remove the lids and put them in the regular garbage before recycling the glass.
No 'Compostable' Plastics in Organics
Even if a plastic cup or utensil is labeled 'compostable,' it should not go in your yard waste cart. The commercial composting facilities that process Snohomish County's organics cannot break down compostable plastics or serviceware.
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 conditions improve.
Fall
October to NovemberAutumn brings heavy leaf drops. If you exceed your yard waste cart's capacity, you can place extra leaves in Kraft paper yard bags, 35-gallon cans labeled 'Yard', or tie branches with natural twine (up to 4'x2'). Extra fees may apply.
Spring
March to MaySpring cleaning often generates extra refuse. Remember that overweight carts will not be serviced by the automated trucks. If you have extra garbage, place it in sealed bags next to your bin (extra fees apply), or schedule a bulk pickup for major cleanouts.
About Bothell West Waste Management
Waste Management Services in Bothell West
Bothell West is a rapidly growing, unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) in Snohomish County. While the incorporated City of Bothell utilizes Recology, residential solid waste and recycling for homes in the unincorporated Bothell West area are managed by Waste Management (WM) Northwest under Snohomish County guidelines. For seamless curbside service, it is crucial to place your carts at the edge of the street by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day. Ensure there is at least three feet of clearance around each cart, including space away from cars, trees, and mailboxes, to allow automated truck arms to operate safely.
Snohomish County Recycling Standards
The blue WM recycling cart provided to Bothell West households is collected on an alternating odd/even week schedule. Snohomish County enforces the 'Empty, Clean, and Dry' rule to minimize contamination at the local Material Recovery Facility. Acceptable items include flattened cardboard, mixed paper, aluminum and tin cans, plastic tubs, and glass bottles. All recyclables must be placed loosely directly into the cart—never bag your recyclables, as stretchy plastic bags cause severe mechanical jams that can shut down the entire sorting line.
Organics Diversion and Yard Waste
With its Pacific Northwest climate, Bothell West properties generate substantial yard debris year-round. Subscribers to the WM food and yard waste program receive weekly collections. In addition to grass clippings, leaves, and small branches (under four feet long), Washington State strongly encourages residents to compost all food scraps in their green bins. You can include meat, dairy, coffee grounds, and food-soiled paper like pizza boxes. Layering wet kitchen scraps with dry yard waste helps absorb liquids and minimize odors.
Scheduling Bulky Waste and Extra Garbage
Home renovations or spring cleanouts often leave residents with refuse that exceeds the capacity of standard curbside carts. Any garbage that prevents your cart lid from closing completely will incur an extra charge, and overweight carts may not be serviced. For oversized items like mattresses, old furniture, or non-freon appliances, Bothell West residents must contact WM customer service directly to request and pay for a special bulky item pickup. Alternatively, you can self-haul massive loads to Snohomish County's nearby solid waste transfer stations.
Proper Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
Toxic materials such as wet latex or oil-based paints, automotive fluids, pesticides, and household chemicals pose a severe risk to local waterways if thrown in the trash or poured down storm drains. These items are strictly prohibited in all WM curbside carts. Residents of Bothell West should safely transport their hazardous waste to the Snohomish County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off station on McDougall Avenue in Everett, which is free for residential customers.
Drop-off Facilities
Southwest Recycling & Transfer Station (SWRTS)
21311 61st Pl W, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
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 Bothell West, WA?
Bothell West is an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) in Snohomish County. While homes inside the Bothell city limits use Recology, residents in Bothell West are serviced by Waste Management (WM) Northwest.
What holidays delay trash pickup in Bothell West?
WM Northwest observes New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If your normal pickup day falls on or after one of these holidays, your service will be delayed by one day for that week. All other holidays operate on a normal schedule.
Can I put extra garbage bags next to my cart?
Yes, you can place extra garbage next to your cart, but there is an additional charge for any refuse that does not fit inside your primary cart with the lid completely closed.
How do I dispose of old paint in Snohomish County?
Liquid oil-based paint cannot be thrown in the trash. Take it to the Snohomish County Household Hazardous Waste facility in Everett. However, fully dried and hardened latex paint cans can be disposed of in your regular garbage.