Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lakewood
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 or Black Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged before placing it in the cart to prevent litter. The cart lid must close completely, and carts should be at the curb by 6:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Pizza boxes and food-soiled paper
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and styrofoam
- ✓Pet waste and diapers (double-bagged)
- ✓Noxious weeds like blackberry bushes
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be completely empty, clean, and dry. Place all items loosely in the cart; never bag your recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Empty plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars (strictly banned)
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam packing peanuts or blocks
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Tanglers like cords and hoses
Yard Waste Bin
Optional subscription service. Banned items include pizza boxes, dirt, rocks, plastic bags, compostable-labeled plastics, and noxious weeds like blackberries.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Fruit, vegetables, and coffee grounds
- ✓Meat, poultry, seafood, and bones
- ✓Eggshells, bread, and rice
- ✓Small branches and brush (under 4 inches thick)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-call basis; scheduling and fees apply.
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb without scheduling an appointment. Place approved items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated pickup day, ensuring they do not block standard waste carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Water heaters and major appliances
- ✓ Washers and dryers
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and liquid chemicals
- ✕ Lithium-ion batteries
- ✕ Loose construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Commercial waste
Bulk pickup availability and pricing vary based on the item. Contact LeMay Pierce County Refuse customer service at 253-875-5053 for a quote.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after one of these three observed holidays, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your standard garbage service.
LeMay Pierce County Refuse works on all other holidays. Your service will occur on its normal scheduled day during MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Veterans Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Blackberries Out of the Green Bin
Noxious weeds, particularly invasive blackberry bushes, are strictly prohibited in the LeMay yard waste bin because their hardy seeds easily survive the commercial composting process and spread. You must bag blackberry bushes and throw them in the regular garbage.
Ditch the 'Compostable' Plastics
Items marked 'compostable' or 'biodegradable' (like green bioplastic bags, special cutlery, or coated paper plates) are banned from the yard waste cart in Lakewood. They do not break down fast enough for the local processing facility and will be treated as trash contamination.
Never Put Glass in the Blue Cart
Do not put glass of any kind into your blue recycling cart. One shattered bottle can ruin an entire truckload of recycled paper. You must collect your glass and take it to a Pierce County glass drop-off site.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryDuring extreme winter ice or snow, LeMay may suspend collection for safety. If this happens, your waste will be collected on your next regular service day, and you may place out the equivalent of one week's missed service in 32-gallon bags at no extra charge.
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring peak leaf-drop season, ensure your yard waste cart does not exceed the 250 lb weight limit. Heavy, rain-soaked debris can break the cart or the truck's automated arm. Extra leaves should be put in untied paper yard bags next to the cart (fees apply).
Summer
June to AugustRemember that summer holidays like Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day do NOT cause collection delays in Lakewood. You must have your bins at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on these holidays as usual.
About Lakewood Waste Management
LeMay Pierce County Refuse Partnership
In Lakewood, residential solid waste collection is not managed directly by the city government. Instead, residents and property owners are required to set up their curbside collection accounts through the city's franchised private hauler, LeMay Pierce County Refuse (a subsidiary of Waste Connections). This hauler provides uniform carts for garbage, recycling, and organics to single-family homes.
Strict Curbside Glass Recycling Ban
A highly unique and critical rule for Pierce County's recycling program is the absolute ban on curbside glass collection. Glass easily shatters in the automated trucks, contaminating the paper and cardboard bales and damaging sorting machinery. Lakewood residents must collect their glass bottles and jars and self-haul them to designated county drop-off boxes, such as the LeMay facility in Frederickson or the Hidden Valley Transfer Station.
No Pizza Boxes in the Compost
While many neighboring cities in Washington encourage composting food-soiled paper, LeMay Pierce County Refuse strictly prohibits pizza boxes, paper plates, paper towels, and items labeled 'compostable' from their yard and food waste carts. The local commercial composting process is optimized purely for natural food scraps and yard trimmings; everything else is considered contamination.
Limited Holiday Collection Delays
Lakewood's trash schedule is notably reliable during the summer months. Unlike many regional haulers that delay service for summer holidays, LeMay maintains a completely normal collection schedule on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day. The only holidays that will actually push your trash pickup back by one day are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Managing Extra Waste and Weather Delays
If severe Pacific Northwest winter weather, such as heavy snow or ice, makes neighborhood roads unsafe, LeMay will pause service. Residents are instructed to pull their carts back in; on the next safely scheduled service day, the drivers will collect double the normal waste volume for no extra charge. During normal weeks, extra yard waste can be placed next to the green cart in untied paper bags for a small per-bag fee.
Drop-off Facilities
Hidden Valley Transfer Station (LRI)
17925 Meridian Street East, Puyallup, WA 98375
Materials Accepted
LeMay Pierce County Refuse Facility
4111 192nd St E, Tacoma, WA 98446 (Frederickson)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a greasy pizza box in my yard waste bin in Lakewood?
No. Unlike some neighboring areas, LeMay Pierce County Refuse specifically bans pizza boxes, paper plates, paper towels, and napkins from the yard and food waste cart. All food-soiled paper must go into your regular garbage cart.
Where do I recycle glass bottles in Lakewood?
Glass is strictly prohibited in your curbside blue recycling cart in Pierce County. You must save your clean glass bottles and jars and take them to a designated free glass drop-off location, such as the LeMay facility in Frederickson or the Hidden Valley Transfer Station.
Does my trash get picked up on Memorial Day or Labor Day?
Yes! LeMay Pierce County Refuse operates on a completely normal schedule for most holidays, including Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day. The only holidays that cause a one-day delay are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
How do I dispose of old furniture or appliances in Lakewood?
Since there is no free city-wide bulk pickup, you have two options. You can call LeMay Pierce County Refuse at 253-875-5053 to get a quote and schedule a curbside bulk item pickup, or you can haul the items yourself to the Hidden Valley Transfer Station in Puyallup and pay the drop-off fee.