Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Mercer Island
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.
Black Bin (Trash)
All trash should be bagged and fit entirely inside the black cart with the lid closed. Do not place out more than 24 hours prior to collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam (if not taken to a drop-off)
- ✓Pet waste and litter (bagged)
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Broken ceramics and glass
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be loose in the cart (never bagged). Materials must be Empty, Clean, and Dry. Flatten all cardboard boxes.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper and cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food residue
- ✕Diapers
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Do not put plastic bags, glass, or pet waste in the green compost cart. Weekly collection is included with residential garbage service.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Branches (under 4 feet long and 4 inches wide)
- ✓Food scraps (fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bones)
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, uncoated paper plates)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One free pickup per year, plus on-demand scheduling
Placement
Schedule the collection in advance. Place approved items at the curb no sooner than 24 hours before your pickup date.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and large chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Excess bagged garbage
- ✓ Large household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Vehicle batteries
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Appliances containing freon (requires a different fee tier)
The first non-appliance bulky item pickup is free annually. Subsequent pickups, or collections involving major appliances (like refrigerators), incur standard Recology service charges.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after an observed holiday, your service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday collections move to Friday, Friday to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Compost and yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular garbage and recycling.
Recology King County operates on normal schedules for most other holidays, including Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Cart
Never bag your recyclables. Flimsy plastic bags tangle in the sorting machinery at the Recology Material Recovery Facility, causing costly shutdowns and safety hazards. Take plastic film back to local grocery store drop-offs.
Empty, Clean, and Dry
Before tossing jars, bottles, or tubs into your recycling cart, ensure they are completely scraped out and rinsed. A quick rinse prevents sticky food residue from ruining entire batches of clean paper and cardboard.
No Pet Waste in the Compost
While food scraps and yard debris belong in your green cart, pet waste and kitty litter are strictly prohibited. These carry harmful pathogens that ruin commercial compost; always double-bag pet waste and throw it in the black garbage cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryMercer Island's steep hills and marine climate make winter travel tricky. During snow and ice events, Recology may suspend collections for safety. Leave your carts at the curb; accumulated material will be collected on your next serviceable day.
Spring
March to MayWatch the city calendar for the annual Spring Recycling Event. This is an excellent time to offload bulky yard debris, scrap metal, and hard-to-recycle household items locally rather than driving them to the mainland transfer station.
Fall
October to NovemberAs the leaves fall, your green compost cart will fill up quickly. Ensure branches are cut smaller than 4 feet long and 4 inches in diameter so they do not wedge tightly inside the cart, preventing it from emptying fully into the truck.
About Mercer Island Waste Management
Comprehensive Waste Services on Mercer Island
Nestled in Lake Washington, the City of Mercer Island partners with Recology King County to provide high-quality residential solid waste services. Single-family homes receive weekly compost and garbage collection, while recycling is picked up every other week. Due to the island's unique geography, including narrow winding roads and steep driveways, automated trucks require proper cart placement. Carts must be placed at the curb with a three-foot clearance from vehicles, mailboxes, and trees.
Strict Cart Placement Ordinances
To maintain the pristine, park-like aesthetics of Mercer Island neighborhoods, local municipal code (MICC 8.04.030) enforces strict cart placement rules. Residents are not allowed to place their garbage, recycling, or compost carts on public streets, sidewalks, or other public property any sooner than 24 hours before their scheduled collection time. Furthermore, all carts must be removed from the public right-of-way within 24 hours after pickup.
Leading the Way in Composting
King County jurisdictions are deeply committed to sustainability, and Mercer Island is no exception. A weekly compost collection is included with your standard residential garbage subscription at no additional cost. Residents are strongly encouraged to use their green carts for all food scraps, including meat, dairy, and bones, as well as food-soiled paper like pizza boxes and uncoated paper plates. Diverting these organics from the landfill helps create nutrient-rich soil blends used in regional parks and agriculture.
Taking Advantage of Free Bulky Item Pickup
Unlike many municipalities that charge steep fees for every large item, Mercer Island residents with a Recology account are entitled to one free non-appliance bulky item collection per calendar year. This is the perfect opportunity to dispose of an old mattress, a broken sofa, or a large pile of excess garbage without having to drive off the island to a transfer station. Additional bulk pickups can be scheduled throughout the year for standard service charges.
Bi-Annual Recycling Events and E-Waste
To help residents properly dispose of hard-to-recycle items, the City of Mercer Island sponsors two special collection events annually—typically a Spring Recycling Event in late March and a Fall Recycling Event in October. Funded by King County grants, these events accept a wide range of specialty materials. For year-round electronic waste, residents can utilize the free E-Cycle Washington drop-off location right on the island to responsibly recycle computers, monitors, and televisions.
Drop-off Facilities
E-Recycle MI
7835 SE 30th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Materials Accepted
Factoria Recycling and Transfer Station
13800 SE 32nd St, Bellevue, WA 98005
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage and recycling services on Mercer Island?
Recology King County has been the designated solid waste hauler for the City of Mercer Island since October 2019, providing weekly garbage and compost, and bi-weekly recycling.
How early can I put my trash bins out on Mercer Island?
According to municipal code, carts cannot be placed on the street, sidewalk, or public property any earlier than 24 hours before your scheduled pickup. They must also be retrieved within 24 hours after collection.
Does Mercer Island offer free bulk trash pickup?
Yes. Single-family residential customers are entitled to one free non-appliance bulky item collection per calendar year. You must call Recology at 206-381-6980 to schedule it in advance.
What should I do with food scraps and pizza boxes?
All food scraps, including meat and dairy, along with food-soiled paper like greasy pizza boxes and used paper towels, should go directly into your green Recology compost cart, which is collected weekly.