Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lakewood
Trash Day
Trash is collected weekly Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Recycling is collected every other week on your designated regular collection day.
Yard Waste
Yard and food waste is collected every other week (alternating with recycling) for enrolled subscribers.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside collection services in Lakewood are provided by LeMay – Pierce County Refuse (a Waste Connections company); residents can check exact neighborhood pickup calendars and manage payments through their LeMay online portal.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Cash in on Those Cans and Bottles Around Lakewood!
Did you know you can get a little cash back for your empties right here in Washington? While Lakewood itself might not have a dedicated buyback center, you can easily take your rinsed-out aluminum cans and plastic bottles (look for the '01' or '02' recycling symbol) to places like the Bottle Drop locations found in many grocery stores throughout the Seattle-Tacoma area. It's a great way to make a few bucks while keeping waste out of the landfill. For larger amounts of scrap metal, like old appliances or car parts, consider checking out local scrap yards in nearby Tacoma. They'll often pay by weight, so that old washing machine could be worth more than you think!
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Lakewood
Before you toss those still-good items, think about giving them a new home through donation! Lakewood has several wonderful spots that would love your contributions. Goodwill is always a fantastic option, with multiple locations accessible from Lakewood, where they accept clothing, household goods, and even furniture. For furniture and home decor specifically, Habitat for Humanity ReStores are a treasure trove for bargain hunters and also help fund local building projects. You might also find smaller, local thrift shops or churches in the Lakewood area that are always looking for donations to support their causes. It feels good to help out a neighbor, right?
Keeping Lakewood Beautiful: Tackling Tossed Trash
Nobody likes seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be. If you happen to spot illegal dumping happening in or around Lakewood, the best thing to do is report it. Pierce County, which includes Lakewood, has a reporting system for illegal dumping. You can often find contact information on the county's public works or environmental services website. They typically want to know the location, description of the dumped materials, and if possible, a license plate number of the vehicle involved. By reporting it, you help keep our community clean and safe for everyone.
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.