Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Edmonds
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/Black Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged and fit inside the cart with the lid closed. Do not dispose of liquid paint, medical sharps, or hazardous chemicals in the trash.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Trace amounts of dried latex paint
- ✓Pet waste and diapers (bagged)
- ✓Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✓Cold ashes (bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected every other week. Items must be empty, clean, and dry. Place items loosely in the cart without plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (no lids)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam (block or peanuts)
- ✕Window glass and mirrors
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Hardback books and metallic paper
Yard Waste Bin
Optional subscription service. Do not use plastic bags. Keep hazardous waste, rocks, and dirt out of the yard waste cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Weeds and plant trimmings
- ✓Small branches
- ✓Food scraps (check specific hauler guidelines)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-call basis; scheduling and fees apply.
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb without scheduling an appointment. Set items out by the requested time on your scheduled day, keeping them clear of regular carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Scrap metal (size restrictions apply)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paint and chemicals
- ✕ Medical sharps
- ✕ Loose construction debris
Fees vary depending on the item's size and your specific hauling company. Contact Republic Services (425-778-0188), Sound Disposal, or WM for a quote.
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 (e.g., Thursday customers moved to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage service.
Republic Services observes these four holidays. If you are serviced by Sound Disposal or Waste Management, check their specific holiday schedules, though major winter holidays are universally observed.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastics Rigid
Only recycle plastics by their shape: bottles, jugs, tubs, and jars. Flimsy plastics like grocery bags, wrap, or block Styrofoam are not accepted in the blue cart, regardless of the recycling number stamped on them.
No Wet or Soiled Paper
Cardboard and paper must be completely dry to be processed. Items like greasy pizza boxes, wet newspaper, or used tissue paper cannot be recycled and must be composted or thrown in the trash.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to JanuaryThanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day will push your collection schedule back by one day if your normal service day falls on or after the holiday.
Summer
JulyRepublic Services observes the 4th of July. If your pickup day falls on or after Independence Day during that week, expect a one-day delay in your garbage and recycling collection.
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring heavy leaf fall, ensure all organic debris is placed inside your yard waste cart. Do not sweep leaves into the street, as this clogs storm drains and leads to localized neighborhood flooding.
About Edmonds Waste Management
Edmonds' Tri-Hauler System
The City of Edmonds does not rely on a single waste management provider. Instead, collection is divided among three private haulers based on your location. Sound Disposal covers the downtown 'bowl' area, Waste Management NW serves a small section near Lake Ballinger, and Republic Services handles the vast majority of the remaining neighborhoods. You must contact your specific assigned hauler directly to set up service or request schedule changes.
Every-Other-Week Recycling
No matter which of the three haulers services your home, curbside recycling is automatically bundled with your single-family garbage collection. Recycling is picked up every other week on the same day as your trash. Residents are equipped with a large, wheeled cart for mixed recyclables, requiring all materials to be empty, clean, and dry before disposal.
Strict Bans on Plastic Bags and Styrofoam
To protect the local sorting facilities in Snohomish County, all Edmonds haulers strictly ban plastic bags, films, and Styrofoam from the blue recycling carts. Flimsy plastic bags wrap around the gears of the sorting machines, and Styrofoam crumbles into impossible-to-sort microplastics. You should drop off clean plastic bags at designated grocery store bins and throw all Styrofoam in your regular garbage cart.
Convenient Snohomish County Drop-offs
For bulky materials or massive loads that exceed your curbside limits, Edmonds residents have close access to Snohomish County facilities. The Southwest Recycling & Transfer Station in nearby Mountlake Terrace is ideal for large household debris. Meanwhile, toxic items like oil-based paints, strong chemicals, and old electronics must be taken to the Snohomish County Household Hazardous Waste Facility in Everett.
Managing Yard and Food Waste
Washington State heavily prioritizes organic waste diversion, and Edmonds' franchised haulers offer optional yard and food waste subscription services to support this goal. If you opt into this service, you can conveniently place lawn clippings, leaves, and approved food scraps into a designated green cart, keeping organic matter out of the regional landfill and turning it into nutrient-rich compost.
Drop-off Facilities
Southwest Recycling & Transfer Station
21311 61st Pl W, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Materials Accepted
Snohomish County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
3434 McDougall Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who picks up my trash in Edmonds?
Edmonds utilizes three different private waste haulers depending on your neighborhood [1.2.2]. Sound Disposal covers the downtown 'bowl', Waste Management NW handles a small area near Lake Ballinger, and Republic Services covers the majority of the rest of the city.
Can I put glass in my blue recycling bin in Edmonds?
Yes, glass bottles and jars of all colors are accepted in the curbside blue cart. However, you must completely empty and rinse them, and all metal or plastic lids and caps must be removed and thrown in the garbage.
How do I dispose of old paint in Edmonds?
Liquid paint is illegal to put in the trash. You can dry out trace amounts of latex paint with cat litter and throw the open, dried can in the garbage. Oil-based paints and chemicals must be taken to the Snohomish County Household Hazardous Waste Facility in Everett.
Is curbside compost and yard waste included in my bill?
No, yard and food waste collection is an optional subscription service provided by your private hauler. If you want a green cart for your organic waste, you need to contact your assigned hauler (Republic Services, Sound Disposal, or WM) to add it to your account for an additional fee.