Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lake Stevens
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 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
!Contamination Tips
Keep Recyclables Loose
Never bag your recyclables in Lake Stevens [4.3.3]. When plastic bags arrive at the sorting facility, they are often mistaken for garbage and sent to the landfill, or worse, they get tangled in the sorting gears and shut down the plant.
No Shredded Paper in the Blue Cart
While regular paper is highly recyclable, loose shredded paper is explicitly banned from the blue cart by WM. The tiny pieces blow around the neighborhood during collection and contaminate other valuable material streams at the facility.
Maintain the Three-Foot Rule
For the automated robotic arms on the WM trucks to work safely, you must place your carts at least three feet apart from one another, and three feet away from cars, mailboxes, and fences, with the lid opening toward the street.
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.
About Lake Stevens Waste Management
Managing Extra Recyclables on Rainy Days
Lake Stevens residents often generate more recycling than can fit into their blue cart, especially after holidays or home deliveries. WM allows you to set out extra recycling for an additional fee per 32-gallon unit. However, the Pacific Northwest weather plays a crucial role: extra recyclables must be placed in cardboard boxes or marked cans, and residents are explicitly instructed not to leave cardboard boxes out in the rain. Wet cardboard loses its structural integrity and often cannot be processed at the recycling center.
Protecting the Lake Through Proper Pet Waste Disposal
Protecting the water quality of Lake Stevens itself is a core component of the city's Surface Water Management Program. To prevent harmful bacteria and nutrient runoff from contaminating the lake and local streams, the city strongly emphasizes proper pet waste management. All pet waste and litter must be securely double-bagged and thrown into your gray garbage cart—never in the yard waste bin or flushed down storm drains.
Free Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
Dangerous household items like oil-based paints, automotive fluids, pesticides, and harsh cleaners are strictly banned from your curbside carts as they pose a massive environmental threat and risk truck fires. Fortunately, Lake Stevens residents have free access to the Snohomish County Household Hazardous Waste Facility in nearby Everett. By utilizing this facility, residents ensure toxic materials are disposed of properly without polluting the local ecosystem.
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.