Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Kennewick
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 Green (WM Cart) Bin (Trash)
All trash must be contained inside official WM carts with lids fully closed. Weight limits are strictly enforced: up to 60 lbs for 35-gallon carts, 120 lbs for 64-gallon carts, and 180 lbs for 96-gallon carts.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam and foam packaging
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓Dried paint cans and fully dried paint residue
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be completely empty, clean, and placed loose directly into bins. Flatten all cardboard boxes and bundle them into sizes no larger than 3x3 feet.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper mail, envelopes, and magazines
- ✓Cereal boxes and paper gift wrap
- ✓Plastic bottles, cups, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Clean aluminum, steel, and tin food cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind or window panes
- ✕Plastic bags or film wrap
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Scrap metal and propane tanks
- ✕Batteries and motor oil
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is managed primarily through seasonal bagged leaf collections in November, December, and January, where tied bags are placed beside the garbage cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and organic yard debris (during seasonal winter collection months)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand by special arrangement
Placement
Place special arrangement bulky items securely at the curb on your agreed-upon service day without obstructing sidewalks or street access.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Household furniture and couches
- ✓ Console televisions and appliances
- ✓ Bulky building and remodeling materials
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous chemical waste
- ✕ Uncontained liquids
- ✕ Auto batteries
Special item pickups incur additional fees billed directly by Waste Management. Alternatively, residents can self-haul items to the Kennewick Transfer Station on S. Ely Street for standard tonnage rates.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Waste Management provides collection service on all holidays except Christmas Day and New Year's Day. If a weekday falls on or after one of these two holidays, collection is delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Seasonal leaf and waste collection follows the exact same weekday delay rule when impacted by an observed holiday.
Holidays like Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day do not delay regular residential trash and recycling collection routes, though they may affect transfer station facility closures.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Include Glass in Curbside Recycling
Glass is not accepted in Kennewick's curbside recycling stream. Putting glass in your blue bin contaminates the paper and plastic loads and risks worker safety.
Leave Shredded Paper Out of the Blue Bin
Paper mills reject shredded paper because tiny fibers cannot be effectively recovered and clog mechanical sorting screens. Always dispose of shredded paper in your standard trash cart.
Unbag Your Recyclables Immediately
Never place your recyclables inside plastic garbage bags before putting them in the blue bin. Workers and optical sorters cannot process bagged materials, leading them to be diverted to the landfill.
Seasonal Information
Winter
November - JanuaryTake advantage of the seasonal bagged leaf collection during the first full weeks of November, December, and January, where tied leaf bags are picked up directly alongside your regular garbage.
Summer
April - OctoberThe Kennewick Transfer Station shifts to extended summer hours starting April 1 (open Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.).
Winter Season Drop-Off
November - MarchTransfer station operating hours adjust for the winter season starting November 1, opening an hour later on weekdays at 8:00 a.m. to account for lower daylight and weather changes.
About Kennewick Waste Management
Weekly Curbside Garbage and Recycling in Kennewick
The City of Kennewick partners with Waste Management (WM) to deliver reliable weekly curbside collection for both household garbage and mixed recycling. Residents are required to use official WM carts, which are specifically designed for efficient mechanical arms on collection trucks. To ensure seamless pickup, all containers must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. with proper clearance from vehicles and mailboxes.
Cardboard Management and Unlimited Clean Recyclables
Kennewick stands out by imposing no limit on the amount of clean recyclables residents can set out for curbside collection. Extra recyclables that overflow the standard blue bin can be placed in another clearly labeled container weighing under 55 pounds. Corrugated cardboard must be completely flattened and bundled into manageable pieces no larger than 3 by 3 feet to ensure proper sorting.
Seasonal Bagged Leaf Collection Program
To help manage autumn shedding in the Tri-Cities area, Waste Management provides specialized bagged leaf collection during the first full weeks of November, December, and January. Residents can place securely tied bags of leaves directly next to their garbage cans on their regular collection day, ensuring that neighborhood sidewalks and storm drains stay clear of heavy buildup.
The Kennewick Transfer Station on Ely Street
For residential self-hauling, project debris, or items exceeding curbside limits, the Kennewick Transfer Station located on South Ely Street is open six days a week with seasonal hours. The facility accepts standard waste by weight, while offering completely free drop-off options for household recyclables, scrap metal, electronics (E-Cycle), motor oil in small containers, and packaged medical sharps.
Strict Contamination Control and Bagless Recycling
To protect regional processing equipment and paper mill quality standards, all recyclables in Kennewick must be dropped into bins loose rather than trapped inside plastic bags or boxes. Items such as plastic film, glass bottles, window panes, and shredded paper are strictly prohibited from the curbside recycling stream and must be handled via alternative disposal channels.
Drop-off Facilities
Kennewick Transfer Station
2627 S Ely St, Kennewick, WA 99336
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides residential trash and recycling collection in Kennewick?
Waste Management (WM) is the primary private contractor providing weekly curbside garbage and recycling services for residents inside Kennewick city limits.
Can I put glass bottles or jars in my blue recycling bin?
No. Glass is strictly prohibited from Kennewick's curbside recycling carts. Glass must be managed through other disposal methods or brought to designated local drop-off points.
How does Kennewick handle leaf collection during the fall and winter?
Waste Management operates a Bagged Leaf Collection program during the first full weeks of November, December, and January, where tied bags of leaves are picked up right next to your garbage can on your regular day.
What items can I drop off for free at the Kennewick Transfer Station?
You can drop off household recyclables, scrap metal, electronics, small-container motor oil, and labeled sharps containers at the Ely Street transfer station entirely free of charge.