Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lake Stevens
Trash Day
Trash is collected weekly, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Recycling is collected every other week on your designated trash collection day.
Yard Waste
Yard and food waste is collected weekly for subscribed residential customers.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling services are contracted through Waste Management, which bills residential customers directly on a quarterly basis.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Disabled veterans with a 30% or greater disability rating may receive a 10% discount on their bill.
Gray Bin (Trash)
All trash should be bagged before being placed in the cart. The cart lid must close completely. Limit 32-gallon carts to 65 pounds; larger mechanical carts have a 180-pound limit.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
- ✓Styrofoam packing peanuts and blocks
- ✓Pet waste and diapers (double-bagged)
- ✓Broken glass or ceramics (safely wrapped)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be empty, clean, and dry. Place all items loosely inside the blue cart. Never put recyclables inside a plastic bag.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and newspaper
- ✓Empty plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Loose caps and lids
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Food waste or soiled paper
- ✕Styrofoam of any kind
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags. Dirt, rocks, sod, and large pieces of untreated wood are strictly prohibited from the organics cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (coffee filters, greasy pizza boxes)
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Weeds and plant trimmings
- ✓Small untreated branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-call basis; scheduling and fees apply.
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb without an appointment. Place approved items out on your scheduled day, keeping them clear of regular automated carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Console televisions
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
- ✓ Certain building materials
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Lithium-ion batteries
- ✕ Loose dirt or rocks
Bulk pickup requires an additional fee. Alternatively, you can self-haul bulk waste to a Snohomish County Transfer Station. Call 800-592-9995 to schedule.
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 move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Independence Day (July 4th) only delays garbage service; recycling and yard waste are collected normally.
WM officially observes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Your normal schedule will not be interrupted by Memorial Day or Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring heavy leaf-drop season, keep wet leaves and yard debris out of the street drains. Sweeping yard waste into storm drains can cause localized flooding and pollute Lake Stevens.
Summer
JulyUnlike most other holidays, Independence Day (July 4th) triggers a highly unique schedule in Lake Stevens. Garbage collection will not take place and will be delayed, but recycling and yard waste routes run normally on the 4th.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Cans and Bottles into Cash Right Here in Snohomish County!
Did you know some of your recyclable treasures can actually put a little money back in your pocket? While Lake Stevens might not have a dedicated buyback center right on the doorstep, Washington state has a great program called the "Beverage Container" redemption. Look for the little "0.05" or "0.10" on the recyclable bottles and cans. You can usually redeem these at larger grocery stores or dedicated redemption centers throughout Snohomish County. It’s a small way to get a little reward for doing good for the planet, and it’s super convenient if you’re already heading to the store for groceries. Just keep those redeemable containers separate from your other recycling!
Give Your Unwanted Goods a Second Life in Lake Stevens
Before you toss out items that are still in good shape, think about giving them a new home! For Lake Stevens residents, a fantastic option is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Everett. They’re always looking for gently used furniture, appliances, home décor, and building materials. It’s a win-win: you declutter your home, and your items help fund affordable housing projects. Plus, you might find some cool treasures yourself when you visit! Another great local spot to check out is Value Village in Everett, which accepts a wide variety of clothing, household goods, and even books.
Keeping Lake Stevens Beautiful: Tackling the Nasty Stuff Together
Nobody likes seeing trash dumped illegally, and it’s a problem we can all help prevent in Lake Stevens. If you ever spot illegal dumping, the best thing to do is report it to the Snohomish County Solid Waste division. They have a process to investigate and clean it up. Keep an eye out for community clean-up events that pop up throughout the year too – these are great opportunities to get involved, meet neighbors, and make a real difference in our shared spaces. And when it comes to those tricky items like old paint or electronics, make sure to look for specific hazardous waste collection days or permanent drop-off sites in Snohomish County; they’re designed to handle these safely.
Drop-off Facilities
Snohomish County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
3434 McDougall Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Materials Accepted
Airport Road Recycling & Transfer Station (ARTS)
10700 Minuteman Drive, Everett, WA 98204
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What holidays delay garbage pickup in Lake Stevens?
Waste Management delays service by one day for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day [3.4.1]. There is a unique rule for Independence Day (July 4th): garbage collection is delayed, but recycling and yard waste run normally on schedule.
How do I throw away a mattress or couch in Lake Stevens?
Since there is no free city-wide bulk pickup, you have two options. You can call Waste Management at 800-592-9995 to request a quote and schedule a special bulky item curbside collection for a fee, or you can self-haul the item to a Snohomish County Transfer Station, such as the Airport Road facility in Everett.
Are plastic bags allowed in the blue recycling bin?
No. Plastic grocery bags, trash bags, and shrink wrap are strictly prohibited from your blue recycling cart. They act as tanglers and jam the automated sorting machinery at the recycling facility. You must leave your recyclables loose inside the cart.
Where can I safely dispose of old paint and household chemicals?
Hazardous materials like oil-based paints, pool chemicals, pesticides, and household batteries are banned from curbside bins. Lake Stevens residents can drop these items off for free at the Snohomish County Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 3434 McDougall Avenue in Everett.