Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Covington
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 Black Bin (Trash)
Bag all garbage securely before placing it in the cart. Double bag messy items like pet waste. The cart must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. with the lid completely closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam and foam packaging
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter (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.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, unwaxed cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper, mail, and newspaper
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and cups
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film wrap
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food residue and liquids
- ✕Fluorescent tubes and bulbs
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags. Layer wet food scraps with dry yard waste. Absolutely no pet waste, dirt, rocks, or large tree trunks are allowed in the organics cart.
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
One free pickup (2 items) per year
Placement
Once scheduled, place your bulky items at the curb on your normal service day. You may put both free items out on the same day or split them up.
Accepted
- ✓ Small furniture items
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped/sealed if required)
- ✓ Large bagged garbage (under 50 lbs)
- ✓ Small appliances (under 60 lbs and 2x2x2 ft)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Rocks, dirt, and concrete
- ✕ Tree stumps and large trunks
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, batteries, solvents)
- ✕ Items over 50 lbs or over 4 feet long
The first 2 bulky items per year are picked up for free. Additional items or oversized loads will require an additional fee or need to be self-hauled to a King County Transfer Station.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Republic Services 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.
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 major contaminants in the recycling stream. They tangle in sorting machinery and cause facility shutdowns. Keep your recyclables loose.
Empty, Clean, and Dry
A small amount of liquid or food residue can ruin an entire load of clean paper and cardboard. Always scrape out peanut butter jars, mayonnaise containers, and rinse milk jugs before recycling them.
No Pet Waste in the Organics Cart
While food scraps and yard debris belong in your green cart, dog waste and kitty litter are strictly prohibited. These carry pathogens that ruin the compost pile. Always double-bag pet waste and throw it in the regular garbage.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryDuring heavy Pacific Northwest snowstorms or icy conditions, Republic Services may delay collection for safety. If your street is impassable, leave your carts at the curb; missed collections will be recovered as soon as weather permits.
Fall
October to NovemberAutumn brings heavy leaf drops across King County. Ensure branches are cut down to fit loosely inside the yard waste cart so they don't wedge and prevent the container from emptying fully into the automated truck.
Spring
March to MaySpring cleaning is a great time to take advantage of your 1 free bulk pickup (up to 2 items) per year. Remember that no single item or bag can weigh more than 50 lbs or exceed 4 feet in length.
About Covington Waste Management
Reliable Waste Collection in Covington, WA
As a thriving suburban city in King County, Covington relies on Republic Services to manage its residential solid waste and recycling needs. From the bustling retail corridor along State Route 516 to the peaceful, tree-lined residential neighborhoods, keeping the community clean is a shared priority. Residents are required to have their carts at the curb by early morning on their scheduled pickup day, ensuring automated trucks can safely and efficiently empty them.
Mastering Covington's Recycling Guidelines
Republic Services emphasizes the 'Empty, Clean, and Dry' rule for all households utilizing the blue recycling carts in Covington. Just a small amount of leftover food—like jelly or peanut butter in a jar—can contaminate an entire batch of clean paper and cardboard. Always take a moment to rinse your plastic tubs, jugs, and cups. Additionally, remember to keep all recyclables loose in the bin, as bagging them in plastic film will cause severe jams at the regional Material Recovery Facility.
Maximizing the Food Waste and Organics Program
To support Washington's organics management goals, Covington residents can take full advantage of their green organics carts. This program accepts a wide variety of yard debris alongside daily kitchen food scraps, keeping valuable compostable materials out of King County landfills. Be mindful to keep pet waste strictly out of the organics cart; all dog waste must be double-bagged and placed securely in your standard garbage bin.
How to Handle Bulky Items and Extra Trash
When tackling a major home cleanout or replacing old furniture, Covington homeowners are eligible for one free bulk pickup of up to two items per year through Republic Services. For this curbside service, no single item or bag can weigh more than 50 pounds or exceed 4 feet in length. For larger loads, construction debris, or electronics, residents can utilize the Bow Lake Recycling & Transfer Station located nearby in Tukwila.
Navigating the Holiday Collection Schedule
Republic Services keeps things simple when it comes to holiday delays in Covington. The only three observed holidays that disrupt residential service are New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If your normal collection day falls on or after one of these holidays during the week, your pickup will be pushed back by exactly one day. For all other holidays, such as Independence Day or Memorial Day, you should place your carts out on their standard schedule.
Drop-off Facilities
Bow Lake Recycling & Transfer Station
18800 Orillia Rd S, Tukwila, WA 98005
Materials Accepted
Auburn Public Health Center (Household Hazardous Waste Drop Box)
901 Auburn Way North, Suite A, Auburn, WA
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage collection in Covington, WA?
Republic Services is the contracted residential solid waste and recycling hauler for the City of Covington. They handle all curbside trash, recycling, and organics collections.
How do holidays affect my trash pickup in Covington?
Republic Services delays service by one day only for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your pickup day falls on or after one of these holidays, service slides to the next day. All other holidays operate on a normal schedule.
Does Covington offer free bulk trash pickup?
Yes. Covington residents receive one free bulk pickup of up to two items per year. Items cannot exceed 50 pounds or 4 feet in length. You must call Republic Services at 253-872-4632 to schedule the pickup.
Where can I take extra garbage or construction debris?
For loads that are too large for curbside collection, Covington residents can self-haul materials to the King County Bow Lake Recycling & Transfer Station located at 18800 Orillia Rd S in Tukwila.