Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Kent
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)
All garbage must be securely bagged and tied to prevent littering. The cart lid must close completely, and containers must not exceed local weight limits (typically 65 lbs for a standard 32-gallon cart).
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Broken ceramics
- ✓Plastic wrappers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables. All items must be placed loosely into the blue cart, and they should be thoroughly emptied, cleaned, and dried to prevent cross-contamination.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use standard plastic bags. If bagging organics, only use Cedar Grove-approved compostable bags or brown paper sacks. Yard waste must not contain dirt, rocks, or treated wood.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves, grass, and branches
- ✓Fruit and vegetable scraps
- ✓Meat, bones, and dairy
- ✓Pizza boxes and paper napkins
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand by appointment
Placement
Set scheduled bulk items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the day of your confirmed appointment, ensuring they do not block sidewalks, hydrants, or vehicle traffic.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Sofas and large furniture
- ✓ Refrigerators and freezers
- ✓ Washers and dryers
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Large amounts of dirt, rock, or concrete
Special pickups incur an additional fee per item, which is billed directly to your Republic Services account. Call 206-682-9730 for current rates.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your regular service day falls on or after an observed holiday during the week, collection will be shifted one day later for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and yard waste collections follow the exact same one-day holiday delay as garbage and recycling.
Republic Services operates on a normal schedule for Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day. Place your bins out on your normal day for these holidays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
Flimsy plastic bags and film wrappers wrap around the gears at King County sorting facilities, causing major delays. Always drop recyclables loosely into your cart and take plastic bags to local grocery store drop-offs.
Recycle by Shape, Not the Triangle
Ignore the chasing arrows symbol. In Kent, you should only recycle plastic if it is shaped like a bottle, a jug, or a tub. Clamshell takeout containers and plastic cups should go straight into the garbage.
Compost Your Greasy Pizza Boxes
Grease destroys paper fibers, rendering them useless for recycling. Instead of putting greasy pizza boxes in the blue cart, toss them into your green organics cart to be turned into compost.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October - NovemberAutumn winds blow heavy leaves into Kent's storm drains, causing localized street flooding. Rake leaves up and put them in your green yard waste cart—never blow them into the street.
Winter
December - FebruarySnow or ice can halt collection on Kent's steep hills. If routes are canceled, bring your bins in and put out double the amount of waste on your next regular collection day at no extra charge.
Spring
March - MayDuring spring cleaning, you may uncover old paints, pesticides, and pool chemicals. Do not put these in your household bins. Take them to the traveling Wastemobile or a local hazardous waste drop-off site.
About Kent Waste Management
Comprehensive Solid Waste Services in Kent
The City of Kent collaborates with Republic Services to provide a streamlined residential garbage, recycling, and organics collection system. By leveraging this tri-cart program, Kent aims to minimize environmental impact and strictly align with King County's broader sustainability and landfill diversion goals.
Maximizing the Food and Yard Waste Program
Kent residents are heavily encouraged to utilize their green organics carts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The city allows the commingling of everyday yard debris with kitchen food scraps, meat trimmings, and food-soiled paper, transforming local waste into nutrient-rich compost at regional processing facilities.
Handling Bulky Items and Appliance Disposal
Disposing of oversized items like broken refrigerators, outdated mattresses, or large sectional couches requires proactive planning. While standard carts won't suffice, Kent residents can schedule an on-demand curbside bulky waste pickup through Republic Services for a nominal fee, or self-haul to the nearby Bow Lake Transfer Station.
Kent's Seasonal Clean-Up and Drop-Off Events
To support neighborhood beautification, the City of Kent typically hosts special recycling collection events during the spring and fall seasons. These events offer residents a safe, heavily subsidized avenue to drop off hard-to-recycle materials, scrap metal, and yard waste that exceeds standard weekly limits.
Navigating Winter Weather and Service Interruptions
Severe winter weather, particularly snow and ice across Kent's East Hill and West Hill neighborhoods, can disrupt normal collection schedules for the safety of the drivers and the public. During significant Pacific Northwest storms, residents should monitor Republic Services' alerts; if service is canceled, households can usually place double the standard volume curbside on their next scheduled day without penalty.
Drop-off Facilities
Bow Lake Recycling and Transfer Station
18800 Orillia Rd S, Tukwila, WA 98188
Materials Accepted
Algona Transfer Station
35315 W Valley Hwy S, Algona, WA 98001
Materials Accepted
Auburn Wastemobile (at the Outlet Collection)
1101 Outlet Collection Way, Auburn, WA 98001
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage collection services for the City of Kent?
Residential garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection in Kent is contracted out and managed by Republic Services. You can reach their customer service at 206-682-9730.
Can I put food waste in my yard bin in Kent?
Yes, Kent residents are encouraged to put all food scraps—including meat, bones, dairy, and food-soiled paper like pizza boxes—into their green yard waste carts to be composted.
Is my trash pickup delayed on Memorial Day or the 4th of July?
No. Republic Services in Kent only observes New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. For all other holidays, including Memorial Day and Independence Day, set your bins out on your normal collection day.
Where can I take my old paint or household chemicals?
Hazardous materials are banned from the curbside trash. You can safely dispose of them at the Auburn Wastemobile, located outside the Auburn Outlet Collection mall on weekends, at no cost to King County residents.