Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lynnwood
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 to prevent litter and placed in the cart so the lid completely closes. Keep the cart 3 feet away from vehicles and other bins.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Pet waste and litter (double-bagged)
- ✓Cold ashes (bagged)
- ✓Window glass and mirrors (bagged)
- ✓Noxious weeds like blackberry bushes
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be empty, clean, and dry. Place all items loosely in the blue cart without using plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Empty plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Loose caps and lids
- ✕Styrofoam packaging
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Food waste or liquids
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
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Weeds and small branches
- ✓Fruit and vegetable scraps
- ✓Meat, dairy, and bones
- ✓Coffee grounds and food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-call basis; scheduling and fees apply.
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb without prior scheduling. Keep items completely clear of standard automated carts on your assigned pickup day.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Sofas and furniture
- ✓ Refrigerators and major appliances
- ✓ Large metal items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Loose construction demolition debris
- ✕ Lithium-ion batteries
Fees vary by hauler and item type. Alternatively, residents can self-haul bulk waste to the Southwest Recycling & Transfer Station (SWRTS) in Mountlake Terrace.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your collection day falls on or after an observed holiday, your pickup will be delayed one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday moves to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your standard garbage collection.
Memorial Day and Labor Day typically do not cause a delay, but you should always verify with either Waste Management or Republic Services depending on your zone.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Recycle Plastics by Shape, Not Number
Lynnwood and Snohomish County sorting facilities require you to ignore the chasing arrows number on packaging. Only recycle plastic items if they are in the shape of a bottle, jug, or tub. Clamshells and flimsy plastics are not accepted.
Remove Lids from Glass
Glass bottles and jars are fully recyclable in your curbside blue cart, but you must remove their lids and caps first. Small metal and plastic lids fall through the automated sorting screens and contaminate other materials.
Shredded Paper is Trash
Unless you take it to a specialized community shred event, loose shredded paper is no longer accepted in the curbside recycling cart because it blows around and contaminates other materials. It must be bagged and thrown in the garbage.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruarySevere Pacific Northwest ice or snow may cause your hauler to delay service. If roads are impassable, pull your carts in; drivers will collect double the volume at no extra charge on your next safe collection day.
Spring
March to MayThe Lynnwood Adopt-a-Street program provides free trash bags, safety gear, and waste disposal for community groups organizing spring cleanups along city right-of-ways.
Autumn
October to NovemberKeep wet autumn leaves out of the street to prevent localized flooding in Lynnwood. Place excess leaves in your organics cart, ensuring it does not exceed the heavy weight limits that can break the truck's lifting arm.
About Lynnwood Waste Management
The Highway 99 Service Divide
Unlike many municipalities with a single waste provider, the City of Lynnwood operates under a unique split-zone franchise system. Highway 99 serves as the official boundary line. If you reside east of Highway 99, your mandatory solid waste services are managed by Waste Management (WM) NW. Residents living on the west side of the highway are serviced exclusively by Republic Services.
Mandatory Solid Waste Ordinance
To protect public health and maintain neighborhood cleanliness, the City of Lynnwood enforces a mandatory garbage collection ordinance for all property owners. While the city itself does not operate the garbage trucks or bill you directly, you are legally required to establish an active residential account with your designated franchised hauler to handle your weekly refuse.
Organics and Food Scrap Composting
In alignment with Washington State's environmental initiatives, Lynnwood residents have access to robust curbside composting. The green yard waste cart isn't just for grass clippings and autumn leaves. You can actively reduce landfill waste by tossing in all your kitchen food scraps, including meat, bones, dairy, coffee grounds, and even greasy pizza delivery boxes.
Managing Bulky Items and Transfer Stations
Since there are no free city-wide bulk pickup days, Lynnwood residents looking to dispose of old mattresses or broken appliances must either schedule an on-demand, fee-based pickup with their hauler or self-haul the items. The closest and most convenient drop-off point is the Snohomish County Southwest Recycling & Transfer Station (SWRTS) located just down the road in Mountlake Terrace.
City of Lynnwood Adopt-A-Street
For residents passionate about keeping the community pristine, the City of Lynnwood sponsors a highly active Adopt-a-Street program. The Public Works department equips volunteer groups with advance warning signs, high-visibility safety vests, and trash bags. Once your designated right-of-way cleanup is complete, the city will even retrieve and dispose of the filled trash bags for free.
Drop-off Facilities
Southwest Recycling & Transfer Station (SWRTS)
21311 61st Pl W, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Materials Accepted
Snohomish County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
3434 McDougall Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Lynnwood pick up my trash?
No, garbage collection is not provided directly by the city government, though maintaining service is mandatory for property owners. Services are divided by Highway 99: homes east of Hwy 99 must use Waste Management, while homes west of the highway must use Republic Services.
Can I put glass in my blue recycling bin in Lynnwood?
Yes, glass bottles and jars of all colors are permitted in your curbside blue cart. However, you must rinse them and completely remove any metal or plastic lids, which must be thrown into the garbage.
Is it okay to put food waste in my yard bin?
Yes. Both Waste Management and Republic Services allow organic food scraps—including meat, dairy, bones, and food-soiled paper (like pizza boxes)—to be composted directly in your green yard waste cart.
Where can I get rid of old paint and household chemicals?
Hazardous liquids and batteries are strictly banned from your curbside carts. Lynnwood residents must take these dangerous items to the Snohomish County Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 3434 McDougall Avenue in Everett.