Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Des Moines
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)
Place the cart at the curb with the lid fully closed. Extra garbage requires an additional fee if it does not fit in the cart or if the lid is propped open more than 6 inches.
Accepted Items
- ✓Saran wrap and thin plastic food packaging
- ✓Foam trays and non-recyclable containers
- ✓Empty paint cans
- ✓Pet litter (double-bagged)
- ✓Broken glass and ceramics (wrapped)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be loose, clean, empty, and dry. Extra recycling that cannot fit in the cart can be placed next to it in a single 2'x2'x2' cardboard box.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper and cardboard
- ✓Plastic containers, bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Clean, empty glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Block foam (Styrofoam)
- ✕Dirty or greasy paper plates
- ✕Tanglers like hoses or cords
Yard Waste Bin
If lining your kitchen pail, use only BPI-certified compostable bags. Do not include rocks, dirt, standard plastics, or glass in the green cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (without shiny plastic coatings)
- ✓Approved compostable packaging and bags
- ✓Yard waste and grass clippings
- ✓Untreated wood and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One free curbside clean-up per calendar year; subsequent pickups on-call for a fee.
Placement
Items must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled pickup date, keeping them clear of regular automated carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and large chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Washing machines and dryers
- ✓ Extra bagged garbage (up to 1 cubic yard)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals and liquid paint
- ✕ Loose construction or demolition debris
- ✕ Lithium-ion batteries
Appliances with Freon (like refrigerators) and items exceeding the annual free limit require an additional disposal fee. Call 206-762-4900 to arrange the collection.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your collection day falls on or after one of these observed holidays, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as garbage service.
Recology King County operates on a normal schedule for all other holidays. You must have your bins at the curb as usual on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Bag Your Messy Trash
Pet litter, broken glass, and vacuum dust must be securely bagged in the gray garbage cart. This prevents hazardous dust clouds and loose litter from blowing around the neighborhood when the automated truck dumps the cart.
Keep Recyclables Loose
Do not bag your recyclables. Thin plastic films like grocery bags tangle around the spinning gears of the recycling facility. Take clean plastic bags to the grocery store drop-off or throw them in the trash.
Remove Styrofoam from Cardboard Boxes
When recycling a large box, completely remove all Styrofoam blocks and packing peanuts. While you can use the special item recycling program for bagged clean Styrofoam blocks, loose packing peanuts must go in the gray garbage bin.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryDuring winter weather events with snow and ice, Recology King County may delay or pause service for safety [4.1.10]. Leave your carts at the curb and monitor the Recology service alerts page; missed collections will be prioritized once roads are safe.
Spring/Fall
March to NovemberDuring heavy landscaping seasons, untreated wood and brush should be cut to fit securely inside the green organics bin. Do not overstuff the cart, as excessively overweight carts can snap the mechanical lifting arms of the collection trucks.
Year-Round
January to DecemberThe Curbside Special Item Recycling program is available all year. Ensure items like batteries and motor oil are properly sealed in clear plastic bags or jugs according to Recology guidelines so rain doesn't wash chemicals into storm drains.
About Des Moines Waste Management
Recology King County Partnership
In Des Moines, residential garbage and recycling are operated through an exclusive franchise agreement with Recology King County [4.1.3]. The city government does not handle solid waste collections directly; residents must manage their curbside carts, request special item pickups, and handle utility billing directly through the Recology customer service portal.
Food Scraps & Organics System
The city of Des Moines promotes Waste Zero initiatives alongside Recology by heavily emphasizing the green compost bin. The organics cart accommodates all yard waste plus all household food scraps, including meat, bones, dairy, and food-soiled paper (like greasy pizza boxes). Diverting these materials from the gray bin keeps heavy, methane-producing waste out of King County landfills.
Curbside Special Item Recycling
Des Moines residents have a unique advantage: free curbside Special Item Recycling. You can safely dispose of button batteries, fluorescent tubes, sealed jugs of motor or cooking oil, bagged textiles, and even bagged clean Styrofoam blocks directly at the curb. Simply set these items out next to or on top of your blue recycling cart on your designated collection day following Recology's specific packaging rules.
Free Annual Curbside Bulky Clean-Up
To prevent illegal dumping and assist households with large cleanouts, Recology provides single-family residential customers in Des Moines with one free “Curbside Clean-Up” per calendar year. This complimentary collection includes up to one cubic yard of extra boxed or bagged garbage and up to two non-appliance bulky items, such as couches, chairs, or mattresses, picked up right from your curb.
Drop-off Facilities
Bow Lake Recycling and Transfer Station
18800 Orillia Rd S, Tukwila, WA 98188
Materials Accepted
South Household Hazardous Waste Facility
32240 1st Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who picks up my trash in Des Moines, WA?
In Des Moines, Washington, residential garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste collection is managed exclusively by the franchised private hauler, Recology King County. You must contact them directly at 206-762-4900 for account setup and cart changes.
How do I dispose of a bulky item like a mattress?
Recology provides single-family households in Des Moines with one free 'Curbside Clean-Up' every calendar year. This covers two non-appliance bulky items like a couch or mattress, plus one cubic yard of trash. You must call 206-762-4900 to schedule the pickup.
Does my trash get delayed on the 4th of July or Labor Day?
No. Recology King County operates on a completely normal schedule for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. The only holidays that cause a one-day delay are Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
How does the Curbside Special Item Recycling work?
Des Moines residents can recycle specific hard-to-handle items right at the curb. You can set out sealed button batteries, bagged textiles, up to 3 gallons of sealed motor oil, or bagged clean Styrofoam blocks on top of or next to your blue recycling cart on your normal collection day.