Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bremerton
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 garbage must be bagged before placing it in the cart to prevent litter. The lid must close completely. Ensure the cart is placed 3 feet away from vehicles, mailboxes, and other bins.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Cold fire ashes (double-bagged)
- ✓Pet waste and litter (double-bagged)
- ✓Styrofoam packing peanuts (double-bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be completely empty, clean, and dry. Place items loosely in the blue cart; never bag your recyclables. Remove and discard plastic caps.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Block Styrofoam
- ✕Hazardous waste and electronics
- ✕Diapers and heavily soiled paper
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags. Place yard waste and food scraps loosely in the green/brown cart, or line your kitchen pail with BPI-certified compostable bags only.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Fruit and vegetable scraps
- ✓Meat, dairy, poultry, and bones
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
- ✓Small branches and plant trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-call basis; scheduling and fees apply.
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb without an appointment. Set approved items out by 7:00 a.m. on your specially scheduled pickup date, ensuring they do not block standard waste carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Console televisions
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and liquid chemicals
- ✕ Lithium-ion batteries
- ✕ Loose construction materials
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
Special arrangement pickups require an additional fee based on the item's size and disposal requirements. Contact WM Customer Service at 800-592-9995 for a quote and to schedule.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after one of these three observed holidays, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday customers move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage service.
Waste Management observes ONLY these three holidays. Your collection will occur completely normally on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic Bags in Recycling
Plastic grocery bags and shrink wrap easily tangle and jam the mechanical sorting equipment at the recycling plant. Never bag your recyclables in the blue bin—leave them completely loose. Drop off clean plastic film at local supermarket collection bins instead.
Double Bag Troublesome Trash
To protect Waste Management drivers and keep Bremerton streets clean, always double-bag problematic items in your gray garbage cart. Pet waste, loose packing peanuts, and cold fire ashes can easily blow away or create hazardous dust clouds during the automated dumping process.
Beware the Battery Fire Hazard
Lithium-ion and rechargeable household batteries must never go into any of your curbside carts. When crushed by the truck's compactor, they frequently spark dangerous chemical fires. Take all batteries directly to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruarySevere Pacific Northwest weather, including ice and snow on Bremerton's hills, can delay WM collection routes. If roads are unsafe, leave your carts out; drivers will collect up to twice as much material on your next regular service day at no extra charge.
Spring/Summer
March to AugustAs yard work increases, be mindful of cart weight limits to prevent damage to the automated lifting arms. A 32-gallon cart has a 65-pound limit, and larger carts max out at 180 pounds. Never overload the green bin with heavy wet soil, sod, or large rocks.
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring peak leaf drop season, ensure your carts remain clear of sidewalks and bike lanes. Bremerton Municipal Code requires public pathways to be accessible, so place bins in approved street parking strips or curb cutouts as space allows.
About Bremerton Waste Management
Navigating Kitsap County's Solid Waste System
Bremerton residents receive comprehensive waste management services through a partnership with Waste Management (WM) Northwest and the City. Local ordinance requires households to maintain active weekly garbage and every-other-week recycling services to protect public health and the environment. Additionally, residents can opt into a convenient every-other-week yard and food waste collection program.
Statewide Color-Coded Carts
In an effort to streamline recycling and reduce contamination, Washington State has adopted a universal color-coding mandate for waste bins. When managing your household waste in Bremerton, expect to use uniform gray or black carts for your general garbage, vibrant blue carts exclusively for recyclables, and green or brown carts for your organic compost and yard debris. This visual consistency makes sorting easier for everyone.
Olympic View Transfer Station Solutions
For bulky waste, construction debris, or excess garbage that simply won't fit into your standard WM cart, the Olympic View Transfer Station (OVTS) is the prime drop-off destination. Located on Barney White Road in Bremerton, this Kitsap County facility accepts a wide range of materials. Keep in mind that per-ton fees and a minimum entry fee apply, so it is best to consolidate your trips.
Safe Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
Protecting the Puget Sound environment is a major priority in Bremerton, which means hazardous items like liquid paints, lithium-ion batteries, and harsh chemicals are strictly banned from curbside carts. Instead, residents must utilize the Kitsap County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility on Imperial Way. The facility provides free residential drop-offs Thursdays through Saturdays to ensure dangerous materials are processed responsibly.
Drop-off Facilities
Olympic View Transfer Station
9380 SW Barney White Rd, Bremerton, WA 98312
Materials Accepted
Kitsap County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
5551 SW Imperial Way, Bremerton, WA 98312
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for garbage and recycling collection in Bremerton?
Residential solid waste collection in the City of Bremerton is managed through a partnership with Waste Management (WM) Northwest. Local ordinances require all residents to subscribe to weekly garbage and alternating-week recycling services.
What do the different colored waste carts mean in Washington State?
Following Washington State mandates designed to streamline recycling, your bins are color-coded by material. Gray or black carts are exclusively for garbage, blue carts are for loose recyclables, and green or brown carts are for organic compost and yard waste.
Can I throw food scraps into my yard waste bin in Bremerton?
Yes! If you subscribe to the yard waste service, you are encouraged to add food scraps to your green or brown cart. Accepted items include fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, meat, poultry, dairy, and bones. Just be sure to exclude any plastic packaging or bags.
How do I get rid of an old mattress or large appliance?
Since there is no free community-wide bulk pickup in Bremerton, you have two options. You can call Waste Management at 800-592-9995 to schedule a special curbside pickup for a fee, or you can self-haul the bulky items directly to the Olympic View Transfer Station and pay the per-ton drop-off rate.