Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Issaquah
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)
All trash should be contained within the cart. If the lid is propped open more than 6 inches, you will incur an extra garbage fee. Place carts out on the morning of service.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Thin plastic bags and wrappers
- ✓Styrofoam trays and packing peanuts
- ✓Broken glass and ceramics
- ✓Pet litter (bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be empty, clean, and dry. Place recyclables loosely in the blue cart without bagging. Remove all lids and caps from glass bottles before recycling.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and newspaper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Take-out clamshell containers
- ✕Styrofoam cups or blocks
- ✕Food waste or soiled paper
- ✕Paper towels or tissue
Yard Waste Bin
Collected weekly. Do not put plastics or glass in the compost cart. Standard service covers up to two 96-gallon carts; additional debris beyond 192 gallons incurs extra fees.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, coffee filters)
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Untreated wood and branches
- ✓Approved compostable bags
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One free curbside pickup per calendar year for single-family homes.
Placement
You must call Recology to schedule the free pickup. Place the approved items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your designated collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and large chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Bagged garbage up to 1 cubic yard
- ✓ Items up to 3'x3' and under 65 lbs
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Loose construction debris
- ✕ Tires (subject to separate fee)
- ✕ Major appliances/white goods (subject to separate fee)
If you have already used your free annual pickup, or need to dispose of a refrigerator or tires, additional bulky item pickups can be scheduled for a fee. Call 425-837-1234 to arrange.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after one of these three observed holidays, service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday customers move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Compost and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your garbage service.
Recology operates as normal on most holidays. Your collection will NOT be delayed for Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, or Veterans Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Cart
Flexible plastics like grocery bags, produce bags, and bubble wrap tangle around the gears at the local sorting facility. Never bag your recyclables. Thin plastics belong in the gray garbage cart or a grocery store drop-off bin.
Remove Lids from Glass
Before you recycle glass jars or bottles in Issaquah, you must take the lids off. Metal lids can be recycled loosely if they are larger than 3 inches, but plastic caps and small lids fall through sorting grates and should be trashed.
No Flocked Christmas Trees in Compost
While natural Christmas trees can be collected for composting, flocked trees (covered in fake snow) are strictly banned from the green cart. The flocking contains adhesives and flame retardants that ruin compost, so these trees must be treated as garbage.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryWhen severe winter weather or snow prevents Recology trucks from safely navigating Issaquah's hills, pull your carts back in. A double load of garbage, recycling, and compost will be collected on your next regular service day at no extra cost.
Post-Holiday
JanuaryRecology collects natural, unflocked Christmas trees for composting. Cut your tree into smaller sections so it fits inside your green compost cart, and ensure all lights, tinsel, and ornaments are completely removed.
Spring/Summer
March to AugustAs bears become more active during the warmer months, ensure you are managing your food waste properly. Freeze pungent food scraps like meat or fish until collection morning, and keep your carts secured inside your garage overnight.
About Issaquah Waste Management
Wildlife-Resistant Carts and Safety
Located at the base of the Issaquah Alps, the city shares its environment with local wildlife, including bears. To reduce conflicts, Recology offers specially designed wildlife-resistant carts upon request. While these carts are highly effective, they are not completely 'bear-proof.' The city strongly advises residents to store all carts indoors if possible and to place them at the curb on the morning of service, never the night before.
Complimentary Annual Bulky Item Pickup
To help residents clear out large household clutter and prevent illegal dumping, Recology provides single-family customers in Issaquah with one free bulky item collection each year. You must schedule this in advance to safely dispose of up to two non-appliance items (like couches or large chairs) alongside one cubic yard of boxed or bagged garbage right from your curb.
Robust Food Scraps Composting
Issaquah is committed to keeping organics out of the landfill. Residents are highly encouraged to use their green compost cart for all kitchen food scraps, including meat, dairy, and bones. You can also toss in food-soiled paper products like greasy pizza delivery boxes, used napkins, and approved compostable packaging, transforming household waste into nutrient-rich soil.
Drop-off Facilities
Factoria Recycling and Transfer Station
13800 SE 32nd St, Bellevue, WA 98005
Materials Accepted
Factoria Household Hazardous Waste Facility
13800 SE 32nd St, Bellevue, WA 98005
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup in Issaquah?
Single-family residents in Issaquah receive one free bulky item collection per year. You can schedule the pickup of two large non-appliance items (like a couch) and one cubic yard of extra garbage by calling Recology directly. Any additional pickups or appliances will incur standard disposal fees.
Can I put pizza boxes in my recycling bin?
No. Greasy pizza boxes cannot be recycled into new paper. However, Issaquah's compost program accepts food-soiled paper. You should put all greasy pizza delivery boxes, used napkins, and paper coffee filters directly into your green compost cart.
What happens to my trash pickup if it snows?
If winter weather prevents the trucks from safely accessing your street, Recology will temporarily suspend service. You should remove your bins from the curb. On your next regular service day, the drivers will collect double the normal amount of garbage, recycling, and compost at no extra cost.