Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Mill Creek East
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood street route.
Recycling
Collected every other week on your scheduled service day.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your regular pickup day for subscribed households.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Waste Management bills residential service every three months, and county regulations require curbside recycling with standard trash service.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Grey or Green Bin (Trash)
Place the cart at the curb with the lid completely closed. Maintain a 3-foot clearance from cars, trees, mailboxes, and fences, and keep the wheels against the curb.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
- ✓Styrofoam packing peanuts and blocks
- ✓Pet waste and diapers (double-bagged)
- ✓Plastic lids and caps
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected weekly. Items must be empty, clean, and placed loosely in the blue cart without using any plastic garbage or grocery bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and newspaper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (unbroken)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam packing
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Plastic lids and caps
Yard Waste Bin
Optional subscription service. Do not put yard waste in plastic bags. Dirt, rocks, and conventional plastics are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, vegetables, bones)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, coffee filters)
- ✓Untreated wood and branches
- ✓Plant trimmings and weeds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-call basis; scheduling and fees apply.
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb without an appointment. Place approved items out on your scheduled day, keeping them clear of regular automated carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Console televisions
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
- ✓ Certain building materials
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Lithium-ion batteries
- ✕ Loose dirt or rocks
Bulk pickup requires an additional fee. Alternatively, you can self-haul bulk waste to a Snohomish County Transfer Station. Call 800-592-9995 to schedule.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
WM officially observes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If your scheduled collection day falls on or after one of these holidays, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Independence Day (July 4th) only delays garbage service; recycling and yard waste are collected normally.
Your normal collection schedule will not be interrupted by Memorial Day, Labor Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, or Presidents' Day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
JulyWM has a highly unique schedule for Independence Day (July 4th) in Snohomish County: Garbage collection is paused and delayed by one day, but recycling and yard waste routes run completely normally on schedule [2.1.3].
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring heavy leaf-drop season, residents with extra yard trimmings that don't fit in the green cart can use heavy paper yard bags, 32-gallon cans labeled 'Yard,' or bundles tied with sisal twine. Extra fees will apply on your utility bill.
Winter
December to FebruaryIf severe Pacific Northwest winter weather, such as snow or ice, causes WM to delay service, real-time alerts will be posted on the WM Service portal. Leave your carts at the curb; drivers will prioritize collection once roads thaw.
Local Tips & Community Info
Cash for Your Cans in the Mill Creek Area?
While Mill Creek East doesn't have its own specific buyback center right in the neighborhood, the state of Washington has a great program for bottle and can returns! You'll want to look for redemption centers in larger nearby towns like Everett or Bothell. These spots are where you can take your rinsed-out cans and bottles (make sure they have the "0.05" or "0.10" deposit sticker on them!) and get a little cash back. It's a nice way to make a few bucks while doing a good deed for the planet.
Giving Your Old Stuff a New Home Near Mill Creek East
Thinking about tossing something that's still usable? Hold on a sec! There are some fantastic places around Mill Creek East where your gently used items can find a new life. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Lynnwood is a great option for furniture, appliances, and home improvement goods. For clothing and household items, consider checking out organizations like the Value Village thrift store in Everett, or see if any local churches or community centers in Bothell or Mill Creek itself are running donation drives. Your unwanted items could be a treasure for someone else!
Keeping Mill Creek East Beautiful: Tackling Junk & Spills
Nobody likes seeing trash where it shouldn't be. If you ever spot illegal dumping in or around Mill Creek East, the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office or Public Works department are the folks to call. They take that pretty seriously. For general community clean-up events, keep an eye on the City of Mill Creek's official website or local community bulletin boards. They often have volunteer opportunities to help keep our parks and streets looking their best. And if you've got electronics or old paint you're not sure how to get rid of, look out for special hazardous waste collection days organized by the county – they're the safest way to handle those items.
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
Who picks up my trash in Mill Creek East?
Because Mill Creek East is an unincorporated section of Snohomish County, your service is managed directly by the franchised private hauler, Waste Management (WM) Northwest, not the City of Mill Creek.
Can I put glass in my blue recycling bin?
Yes! Unlike some neighboring areas, WM Snohomish County accepts intact glass bottles and jars of all colors in the blue curbside cart. However, you must completely remove all lids and throw them in the trash.
How does July 4th affect my pickup schedule?
WM has a highly unique rule for Independence Day in Snohomish County: Garbage collection is paused and delayed by one day, but recycling and yard waste routes run completely normally as scheduled.
How do I dispose of a bulky couch or mattress?
Since there is no free community-wide bulk pickup in unincorporated Snohomish County, you must call WM at 800-592-9995 to schedule a paid bulky item pickup, or self-haul it to the Southwest Recycling & Transfer Station in Mountlake Terrace.