Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Mill Creek
Trash Day
Weekly on assigned collection day (Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood)
Recycling
Weekly on the same day as trash collection
Yard Waste
Weekly year-round on your regular collection day (for yard and food waste subscribers)
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Garbage, recycling, and yard waste services are contracted through Waste Management (WM) and billed directly every three months. Standard weekly recycling is included with curbside garbage service.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
Discounted rates are available for qualifying seniors (age 65+) who are designated as disabled or meet Snohomish County CDBG low-income guidelines.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Cash In Your Cans and Bottles Around Mill Creek?
While Mill Creek itself doesn't have a dedicated buyback center, Washington State has a great program for returning your cans and bottles for a refund. Look for the deposit symbol on beverage containers. You can usually find redemption centers at larger grocery stores or dedicated facilities throughout Snohomish County. A quick search for "bottle redemption centers near Mill Creek" should point you to the closest option where you can turn those empties into a little extra cash.
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life Near Mill Creek
Instead of tossing items that are still in good shape, think about donating them! Goodwill has several locations in the greater Seattle area, and there's a Goodwill Outlet in Everett that's great for finding deals or for places that might take donations. For furniture and home goods, consider the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Lynnwood. Donating not only helps others but also keeps useful items out of the landfill.
Keeping Mill Creek Clean: Tackling Litter Together
While Mill Creek itself might not have frequent, large-scale hazardous waste collection days advertised, it's always smart to keep an eye on Snohomish County's Solid Waste division. They often have information on special collection events for things like electronics or paint. If you ever see something suspicious like illegal dumping, it's best to report it to the city or county. Keeping our community beautiful is a team effort, and responsible disposal is part of that!
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.