Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Burien
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)
Set your cart out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Extra garbage must fit in a 2'x2'x2' box placed next to the cart, and the cart's lid must close completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Pet waste and diapers (double-bagged)
- ✓Styrofoam packing peanuts
- ✓Dried out latex paint cans
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected every other week. Place all items loosely inside the cart; never use plastic bags to hold your recyclables. Containers must be empty and clean.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Empty plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Wire or plastic clothing hangers
- ✕Block Styrofoam
- ✕Prescription pill vials
- ✕Food waste or liquids
Green Bin (Yard Waste)
Collected weekly. Do not place regular plastic bags inside. Use only BPI-certified compostable bags or paper yard bags if you need to contain extra organic waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones)
- ✓Food-soiled paper and greasy pizza boxes
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Weeds and plant trimmings
- ✓Small branches (under 4' long and 4" wide)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One free curbside pickup per calendar year.
Placement
Place approved items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled day. Ensure no individual boxed item exceeds 3'x3'x3' and 65 lbs, unless it is an approved large appliance.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Refrigerators and freezers (doors removed)
- ✓ Sofas and large furniture
- ✓ Hot water tanks
- ✓ Dishwashers
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and liquid chemicals
- ✕ Commercial construction debris
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Lithium-ion batteries
Additional bulky item pickups beyond the annual free allowance require a service fee. Call Recology at 206-767-3322 to request a quote and schedule a collection.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after an observed holiday, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Food and yard waste, as well as recycling collections, follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your standard garbage pickup.
Recology King County operates on all other holidays. Service will occur on your normal scheduled day during Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Hangers and Bags Out of Recycling
Wire or plastic hangers and flimsy plastic grocery bags act as tanglers that jam up the sorting machinery at Recology's recycling facility. Always leave them out of the blue recycling cart and drop your plastic bags at a local grocery store.
Beware the $20 Contamination Surcharge
The City of Burien and Recology strictly enforce proper sorting. If your recycling or compost cart is flagged three or more times for containing more than 5% contamination, Recology will automatically assess a $20 to $25 fee to your utility account.
No Loose Packing Peanuts
While clean rigid styrofoam blocks can be taken to the Recology store, loose styrofoam packing peanuts and expandable foam Insta-Paks are considered trash. They must be securely bagged and thrown in the gray garbage cart so they do not blow away.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to JanuaryRecology offers a seasonal Christmas tree collection for Burien residents [1.1.1]. Natural, unflocked, and undecorated trees can be placed curbside on your normal food and yard waste collection day for composting.
Year-Round
January to DecemberBurien's new solid waste contract includes increased service requirements during severe winter weather. If snow or ice delays your pickup, leave your carts out and check the Recology website or app for neighborhood-specific recovery schedules.
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring peak leaf-drop season, extra yard waste that doesn't fit in your green cart can be placed in BPI-certified compostable bags, paper yard bags, or bundled (2'x2'x2' max) next to the bin. Excessive bundles may incur a small additional fee.
About Burien Waste Management
Burien's Comprehensive 10-Year Waste Contract
The City of Burien recently implemented a new 10-year comprehensive solid waste contract with Recology that runs through 2035. Following a competitive procurement process, this agreement ensures that residents continue to receive embedded residential recycling and compostables collection while introducing modern upgrades, such as electric support vehicles and increased litter collection services across the city.
The Recology Store Highline Hub
A standout feature of Burien's waste program is the physical Recology Store Highline located right in the city. This community hub goes beyond simple customer service. It acts as a specialized drop-off location where residents can safely recycle difficult materials like compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), textiles, household batteries, and block Styrofoam that are strictly banned from curbside blue carts.
Convenient Curbside Special Item Recycling
For residents who cannot make it to the physical store, Recology offers a highly convenient on-call curbside pickup program for special items. By properly bagging and sealing household hazardous waste such as used motor oil, cooking oil, small household electronics, and fluorescent tubes, you can schedule to have them safely collected next to your recycling cart on your normal service day.
Annual No-Cost Bulky Item Pickup
To combat illegal dumping and assist residents with major home cleanouts, the City of Burien provides every single-family residential account with one complimentary bulky item collection per calendar year. Households can request the pickup of up to three large items, such as a mattress, sofa, and refrigerator, or up to one cubic yard of extra boxed garbage, entirely at no additional cost.
Drop-off Facilities
Recology Store Highline
15858 First Avenue S, #A100, Burien, WA 98148
Materials Accepted
Bow Lake Recycling and Transfer Station
18800 Orillia Rd S, Tukwila, WA 98188
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress in Burien?
Burien residential customers are entitled to one free bulky item collection per calendar year for up to three large items like couches, appliances, or mattresses [2.3.1]. You must contact Recology King County at 206-767-3322 to schedule your free pickup before placing items at the curb.
Where can I recycle batteries and lightbulbs in Burien?
Burien offers a free curbside Special Item Recycling program. You can schedule a pickup for household batteries, CFL bulbs, and small electronics by submitting a request form to Recology. You can also drop these items off directly at the local Recology Store Highline.
Can I throw food scraps in my yard waste bin?
Yes! Weekly food and yard waste collection is embedded in your Burien garbage service. You are encouraged to place all food scraps, including meat, dairy, bones, and food-soiled paper (like greasy pizza delivery boxes), directly into your green organics cart.
Does my trash pickup change on summer holidays?
No. Recology King County only shifts collection schedules for three holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Your service will operate on its normal schedule during Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.