Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Mill Creek
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.
Grey/Green WM Cart Bin (Trash)
Place containers at the street by 7:00 a.m. Keep lids closed. Ensure overhead clearance of 14 feet and do not block with vehicles. Hand-lifted cans limited to 65 lbs, mechanical carts limited to 180 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Double-bagged animal waste
- ✓Foam packing materials
- ✓Cool ashes
- ✓Sawdust
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Empty, clean, and loose. Do not bag recyclables in plastic. Put overflow recycling in a 32-gallon can with handles marked 'recycling' or cardboard boxes (up to 3'x3'x3').
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper bags
- ✓Cardboard boxes
- ✓Empty and clean plastic containers
- ✓Paper
- ✓Metal cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Liquid-filled containers
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Yard trimmings and food scraps must go in the WM-provided Food/Yard cart. No plastic bags or plastic liners. Extra yard waste (no food) can be bundled (4'x2' limit) or put in 32-gallon cans labeled 'Yard'.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Branches
- ✓Food scraps
- ✓Food-soiled paper
- ✓Paper yard bags
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By request only
Placement
Coordinate specific curb placement instructions with WM Customer Service when scheduling your special pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Console televisions
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Building materials
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid waste
- ✕ Explosives
A fee applies for bulk item pickup; contact WM at 800-592-9995 to obtain a quote and formally schedule the service.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Weekday holidays delay collection by one day for the remainder of the week (e.g., Thursday customers are serviced on Friday, and Friday on Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
During Independence Day week, garbage collection is explicitly delayed, but recycling and yard debris services may remain unchanged on their normal schedule.
Check the Waste Management online schedule to confirm the exact holiday impact for your specific Mill Creek address.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic Bags for Recyclables
Never place your recyclables inside plastic grocery bags. These bags jam the sorting machinery at the Snohomish County recycling center. Keep recyclables empty, clean, and loose in your blue cart.
Double Bag Troublesome Trash
While you shouldn't bag recycling, certain garbage items must be double-bagged to protect WM drivers and prevent litter. This includes animal waste, cool ashes, sawdust, and foam packing peanuts.
Keep Shredded Paper Out of the Blue Cart
Due to its small size, shredded paper is nearly impossible to sort mechanically from other recyclables at the facility. Dispose of shredded paper in your regular garbage or look for secure shred-and-recycle community events.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - FebruaryKeep carts accessible during winter weather. Ensure your garbage, recycling, and yard waste carts are cleared of snow and ice, and their lids can fully open to prevent collection delays.
Autumn
October - NovemberWith heavy leaf fall in Mill Creek, remember that extra yard trimmings beyond the basic service can be set out in paper yard bags or 32-gallon cans labeled 'Yard'. The first two extra containers are free.
Summer
JulyGarbage collection will not take place on Independence Day (July 4th). If your pickup falls on or after this holiday, expect a one-day delay for the remainder of the week.
About Mill Creek Waste Management
Mill Creek Residential Waste Collection Services
Situated in Snohomish County, the City of Mill Creek contracts with Waste Management (WM) to manage its curbside residential solid waste, recycling, and organics collection. The city strongly encourages reducing landfill dependency through robust recycling and food/yard waste programs, allowing residents to conveniently dispose of everyday household refuse. Homeowners should have their WM carts at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on their scheduled collection day.
Proper Cart Placement and Weight Guidelines
To ensure safe and efficient pickup, Mill Creek residents must adhere to strict cart placement rules. Bins should be placed in an open, well-lit area with at least 14 feet of overhead clearance, away from parked vehicles. If you use your own 32-gallon cans for extra waste, they are lifted by hand and cannot exceed 65 pounds. The standard, mechanically lifted WM carts have a maximum weight limit of 180 pounds. Always ensure lids are completely closed to prevent litter and wildlife scavenging.
Organics and Yard Trimmings Recycling in Mill Creek
Mill Creek's organics recycling program allows residents to mix food scraps, food-soiled paper, and traditional yard trimmings in the WM-provided Food/Yard cart. Kitchen scraps can be collected in paper bags or reusable containers lined with paper towels before being emptied into the main cart. Extra yard trimmings (excluding food) can be placed in paper yard bags, bundled with twine, or placed in labeled 32-gallon cans. The first two extra 32-gallon units are free of charge, with subsequent units incurring a small fee.
Unlimited Curbside Recycling Limits
A significant perk of Mill Creek's waste management service is the unlimited curbside recycling allowance. If your WM blue recycling cart fills up, you can place extra clean, loose recyclables in cardboard boxes (limited to 3'x3'x3') or personal 32-gallon cans clearly marked 'recycling'. Just remember to keep items loose—never bag your recyclables in plastic bags, as they can cause severe jams at the local sorting facility.
Scheduling Bulky Waste and Large Appliance Pickup
Standard weekly routes do not include the removal of oversized items like mattresses, washing machines, console televisions, or heavy furniture. Mill Creek residents needing to dispose of large objects must contact WM Customer Service directly at 800-592-9995 to schedule a special bulky item pickup. Alternatively, residents can self-haul these items to a Snohomish County Transfer Station, such as the Southwest Recycling & Transfer Station in Mountlake Terrace.
Drop-off Facilities
Southwest Recycling & Transfer Station (SWRTS)
21311 61st Place West, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Materials Accepted
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Station
3434 McDougall Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put food scraps in my yard waste bin in Mill Creek?
Yes, residents subscribing to yard and food waste collection can place food scraps, kitchen waste, and food-soiled paper directly into the WM-provided Food/Yard cart. Avoid putting any plastic bags or plastic liners in this cart.
Is there a limit on how much recycling I can put out?
No, there is no limit on the amount of clean recyclables you can set out for collection. If your blue cart is full, you can put extra recycling in cardboard boxes (up to 3'x3'x3') or a 32-gallon can with handles clearly marked 'recycling'.
How do I dispose of a mattress or large furniture in Mill Creek?
Bulky items like mattresses, furniture, and large appliances will not be picked up with your regular trash. You must contact WM Customer Service at 800-592-9995 to make a special arrangement and pay the associated fee, or you can self-haul them to a Snohomish County Transfer Station.
What happens to my trash pickup if it snows?
In the event of severe winter weather, WM may delay or cancel service if road conditions are unsafe for their heavy trucks. Make sure your containers are clear of snow and ice, and check the WM website or app for weather-related service alerts and make-up days.