Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Mercer Island
Trash Day
Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood route (collected weekly)
Recycling
Every other week on your regular collection day
Yard Waste
Every week on your regular collection day (compost/food scraps & yard debris)
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside solid waste, recycling, and organics services are contracted through Recology King County and billed separately from the City's bi-monthly water, sewer, and stormwater utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
The City provides a 75% discount on water consumption, sewer maintenance, and stormwater fees for households earning at or below 70% of the state median income, as well as EMS charge waivers for Medicaid in-home care recipients.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans to Cash In Around Mercer Island?
While Mercer Island itself doesn't have a dedicated buyback center, Washington State has a great program for your empty cans and bottles! You can take them to any participating grocery store with a redemption machine. Just look for the 'WASH. REDEMPTION CENTER' sign. It's a simple way to turn those recyclables into a little extra cash for your pocket. For larger scrap metal items, you might need to head off-island. Look up scrap yards in nearby cities like Seattle or Renton – they're usually happy to take metals and pay you for them.
Giving Your Good Stuff a Second Life on Mercer Island
Before tossing items that are still usable, think about donating them right here on Mercer Island! The Youth Theatre Northwest often accepts donations of costumes, props, and materials for their productions. Another fantastic option is the Eastside Sewing Room, which collects fabric scraps, yarn, and sewing notions for community classes and projects. For general household goods, consider reaching out to local churches or community centers; they sometimes have specific drives or know of families in need. It’s a wonderful way to keep things out of the landfill and help a neighbor.
Keeping Mercer Island Spick-and-Span Together
While Mercer Island doesn't typically have recurring city-wide hazardous waste collection days (check the City of Mercer Island's website for any special events!), King County often hosts them. Keep an eye out for announcements about these events in surrounding areas if you have items like old paint, batteries, or electronics. If you happen to see illegal dumping, the best thing to do is report it directly to the City of Mercer Island's Public Works department. They can send crews to clean it up and address the issue. A clean island is a happy island for everyone!
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.