Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Moses Lake
Trash Day
Trash is collected once weekly, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Curbside recycling is collected every other week on the same day as your regular trash collection.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected weekly on the same day as your trash, seasonally from spring through fall (typically starting in March).
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Garbage and recycling services are bundled directly onto your monthly City of Moses Lake utility statement alongside water, sewer, stormwater, and ambulance services.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Phone (IVR), Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
A Low-Income Senior Discount is available for residents aged 65 or older whose annual household income does not exceed 125% of federal poverty guidelines.
Green/Gray Bin (Trash)
All household waste MUST be bagged per municipal code. Do not place hot ashes, coals, or tires in the cart. The lid must close completely, or additional elevated-lid fees apply.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam packing
- ✓Pet waste and diapers (bagged)
- ✓Food waste
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected every other week. Placing inappropriate materials repeatedly will result in the cart being confiscated and replaced with a paid garbage cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Glass bottles (check current guidelines)
- ✕Tanglers like cords and hoses
Yard Waste Bin
Do not put yard waste in plastic bags. Dirt, rocks, and conventional plastics are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and thatch
- ✓Tree trimmings (less than 4 inches in diameter)
- ✓Leaves and windfall fruit
- ✓Garden waste (plants, flowers, brush)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-call basis or self-haul to transfer station.
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb without scheduling. For authorized extra garbage, ensure you have purchased and attached a city-issued garbage tag.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and couches
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major appliances
- ✓ Large boxed debris
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paints and chemicals
- ✕ Tires (accepted at transfer station for a fee)
- ✕ Hot ashes or coals
Bulk pickups require an additional fee. Alternatively, you can self-haul to the CDSI Transfer Station (minimum fee of $15 applies, though some e-waste is free).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after an observed holiday, your pickup will typically be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage service.
Lakeside Disposal (Waste Connections) typically observes these major holidays. Service runs normally on most minor holidays, but you can verify specific dates on the WasteConnect app.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Always Bag Your Trash
Unlike recycling, the City of Moses Lake explicitly requires that all household waste be bagged before being placed in the garbage cart (MLMC 8.08.060). This prevents fly-away litter during automated dumping and keeps the community clean.
Keep the Lid Closed
Do not overstuff your garbage cart. If the lid is elevated, an additional charge will be automatically applied to your utility bill. If you have extra waste, purchase a garbage tag from the Utility Department and place the extra bagged waste next to your cart.
No Hot Ashes
Never place hot ashes or coals from fire pits or barbecues into any of your curbside carts. If the cart is melted or damaged due to hot ashes, it will be replaced entirely at the account holder's expense.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryWhen placing your carts out during the winter months, the required 5-foot clearance area around the bins must be completely free of excess snowbanks to ensure the automated truck arms can safely reach the carts [1.3.1].
Spring
AprilThe City of Moses Lake and Lakeside Disposal periodically offer a Spring Clean Up week, allowing residents to set out extra bagged trash at the curbside for free. Check the city calendar in early spring for specific dates.
Summer/Fall
May to OctoberGrant County Solid Waste usually sponsors a free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event once or twice a year. This is the perfect time to dispose of paints, chemicals, and pesticides that are banned from curbside bins.
About Moses Lake Waste Management
Mandatory Curbside Collection
To help keep Moses Lake clean and safe, the city mandates weekly garbage collection for all occupied residences [1.3.1]. The City partners with Lakeside Disposal for collection, but all billing and cart requests are handled through the City's Utility Department. This unified approach simplifies services and allows residents to easily bundle their waste, water, and sewer bills.
Financial Benefits of Recycling
While participation in Moses Lake's curbside recycling program is optional, it is highly encouraged. By taking advantage of the bi-weekly recycling and yard waste services—which are provided at no additional monthly cost—you can downsize your standard garbage cart and significantly lower your monthly utility bill.
Strict Cart Placement Rules
Moses Lake enforces specific municipal codes regarding where and when your carts can be placed. Carts must be out by 6:00 a.m. on collection day and must be removed from the curb by that evening. Additionally, you must provide a five-foot clearance from overhead trees, power lines, and fences, ensuring the automated trucks have safe, unobstructed access.
Navigating Extra Garbage
If you have more trash than your cart can hold with the lid completely closed, you will face an extra fee. To ensure extra garbage is picked up, residents can purchase special garbage tags from the Utility Department. Each tag covers one extra 32-gallon garbage bag, allowing Lakeside Disposal to cleanly haul away excess waste without penalties.
Access to the CDSI Transfer Station
Since there is no free community-wide bulk curbside pickup, residents needing to dispose of large furniture, appliances, or excess debris must utilize the CDSI Transfer Station on Road 7 NE. The facility accepts municipal solid waste, and additionally offers free drop-off for certain electronics like TVs, monitors, and computer towers.
Drop-off Facilities
CDSI Transfer Station
9524 Road 7 NE, Moses Lake, WA 98837
Materials Accepted
Grant County Ephrata Landfill
3803 Neva Lake Rd NW, Ephrata, WA 98823
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I opt out of garbage service if I take my trash to the dump?
No. Per Moses Lake Municipal Code Chapter 8.08, weekly garbage collection within the city limits is mandatory for all occupied residences [1.1.1]. You cannot opt out to save money by self-hauling.
My garbage cart is full. Can I put extra trash in my neighbor's cart?
No. It is against City Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 8.08.060) to place your garbage into someone else's garbage cart or dumpster. If you have extra garbage, you must purchase a garbage tag from the Utility Department.
Do I have to pay extra for a recycling or yard waste cart?
No! All recycling and yard waste carts are provided to residents by the City of Moses Lake at no additional monthly cost. In fact, utilizing these services can help you save money by allowing you to downsize to a smaller, cheaper garbage cart.
Where can I recycle my old TV or computer for free?
You can drop off specific E-waste items—including TVs, monitors, laptops, and PC computer towers—for free at the CDSI Transfer Station located at 9524 Road 7 NE in Moses Lake.