Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Kenmore
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)
Place carts at the curb by 7:00 a.m. Ensure the lid is fully closed and the cart is not overflowing. Overweight carts may not be serviced.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Bagged trash
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam and foam packaging
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely in the blue cart. Rinse all food residue from containers and remove lids from glass jars. Keep carts 3 feet apart from other bins and obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean unwaxed cardboard
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Clean paper and mail
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film wrap
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
- ✕Electronics and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Place loose organic material directly into the green cart. Do not use plastic bags. Extra yard waste can be placed in heavy-duty Kraft paper bags next to the cart for a potential additional fee.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Branches and brush
- ✓Fruit and vegetable scraps
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
- ✓Meat, poultry, and bones
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On demand (requires scheduling)
Placement
Place your approved bulky items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the morning of your specifically scheduled bulk collection day. Ensure they do not block sidewalks or roads.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Oversized household junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Liquid hazardous waste
- ✕ Paints and solvents
- ✕ Vehicle tires
- ✕ Automotive batteries
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
Additional pickup fees apply for all bulky item collections. Contact Republic Services at 425-646-2492 for an exact quote and to secure your spot on the route.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your normal collection day falls on or after an observed holiday, your service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday customers picked up Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and organics collection follow the exact same holiday slide schedule as garbage and recycling.
Republic Services only observes these three major holidays. Other holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day, and 4th of July will not affect your regular Kenmore pickup schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out
Plastic bags and stretchy film wrap are the number one contaminant in Kenmore's recycling stream. They tangle in the sorting gears at the recycling facility. Return them to local grocery stores instead.
Rinse Your Containers
A little leftover peanut butter or soda can ruin an entire bale of clean paper. Always take a moment to rinse out your plastic tubs, glass jars, and aluminum cans before tossing them in the blue bin.
No Glass or Plastic in Organics
Keep the green compost bin strictly for yard debris and food scraps. Plastic produce stickers, rubber bands, and glass must be removed, as they cannot break down at King County composting facilities.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryDuring Pacific Northwest snow or ice events, Republic Services may delay collections for safety. If your street in Kenmore is impassable, leave your carts out, and they will be serviced once road conditions improve.
Fall
October to NovemberHeavy autumn winds drop significant leaves across Kenmore. If your green cart fills up, use compostable Kraft paper yard bags for the excess, or bundle branches with natural sisal twine (extra fees may apply).
Spring
April to MayTake advantage of the City of Kenmore's bi-annual Spring Residential Recycling Event to safely dispose of old tires, scrap metal, appliances, and confidential documents that cannot go in standard curbside bins.
About Kenmore Waste Management
Comprehensive Solid Waste Solutions in Kenmore
Situated along the beautiful northern shores of Lake Washington, the City of Kenmore provides dependable residential waste management through a direct partnership with Republic Services. Homeowners can expect weekly garbage collection, with recycling and organics picked up on alternating schedules. For seamless curbside service, it is critical to place your bins out by 7:00 a.m. (or the night before), ensuring they are positioned at least three feet apart from each other and away from parked vehicles along Kenmore's scenic, often winding neighborhood streets.
Maximizing Your Blue Cart Recycling
King County has strict diversion goals, and Kenmore residents play a big part in keeping recoverable materials out of the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill. Your blue Republic Services cart is exclusively for loose, clean recyclables like flattened corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, and empty plastic jugs. Do not bag your recycling in plastic garbage bags, as they jam the sorting machinery at the local Material Recovery Facility (MRF). Additionally, items like glass should be completely empty and rinsed before tossing them in.
Organics and Yard Debris Collection
The lush Pacific Northwest climate means Kenmore yards produce plenty of grass clippings, fallen leaves, and branches. Your green yard waste bin is perfect for these organic materials, as well as food scraps like fruit peels, coffee grounds, and meat bones. By utilizing the organics cart, residents reduce landfill methane emissions and help create nutrient-rich compost that benefits local Washington agriculture. Remember to avoid tossing plastic bags or 'compostable' plastics into the green cart, as they are not accepted in the county's commercial composting system.
Navigating Bulky Items and Extra Trash
Spring cleaning or home renovations in Kenmore can easily generate more refuse than a standard cart can hold. If you have extra bags of garbage, they can be placed next to your bin for an additional fee, provided they are securely tied and under the weight limit. For larger items like mattresses, broken furniture, or old appliances, Republic Services offers scheduled bulky item pickups for a separate charge. Alternatively, residents can self-haul massive loads directly to the nearby Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station.
Hazardous Waste and Special Recycling Events
The City of Kenmore hosts bi-annual residential recycling events every spring and fall, partially funded by the Washington State Department of Ecology. These events are perfect for disposing of hard-to-recycle items like lead-acid batteries, old tires, and scrap metal. For everyday household hazardous waste—such as oil-based paints, solvents, and pesticides—residents must never put them in curbside bins. Instead, take these dangerous chemicals to the King County Household Hazardous Waste Facility in Factoria or utilize the traveling Wastemobile.
Drop-off Facilities
Shoreline Recycling & Transfer Station
2300 N 165th St, Shoreline, WA 98133
Materials Accepted
King County Household Hazardous Waste Facility (Factoria)
13800 SE 32nd St, Bellevue, WA 98005
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the garbage hauler for Kenmore, Washington?
Residential garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection in the City of Kenmore is provided by Republic Services under a contract with the city. They manage all standard curbside collections for single-family homes.
How do holidays affect my trash schedule in Kenmore?
Republic Services only delays pickup for New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If your collection day falls on or after one of these holidays, service is pushed back one day for the remainder of that week.
Can I put glass in my curbside recycling bin in Kenmore?
Yes, glass bottles and jars are accepted in the blue Republic Services recycling cart in Kenmore. Ensure they are completely empty, rinsed, and dry, with the lids removed and placed in the garbage.
Where can I dispose of an old mattress or furniture in Kenmore?
You can call Republic Services at 425-646-2492 to schedule a curbside bulk item pickup for an additional fee. Alternatively, you can self-haul large items to the King County Shoreline Recycling & Transfer Station.