Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Mount Vernon
Trash Day
Trash is collected weekly Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood route. Residents can verify their specific collection day using the City's online Garbage Collection Service Lookup map.
Recycling
Collected every other week on your designated trash collection day.
Yard Waste
Curbside yard and food waste is collected weekly from March through November and every other week December through February for curbside subscribers, or drop-off is available at the City Yard Waste Facility.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
City utility bills include municipal garbage, sewer, and stormwater services, while curbside recycling and optional yard waste services are billed directly through Waste Management.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (Bank Draft), Phone, Mail, In Person, Drop Box, Kiosk
Pro Tip / Discount
A qualifying senior discount is available offering a reduced rate on a smaller 20-gallon garbage cart.
Grey Bin (Trash)
Place the cart out before 6:00 a.m. Ensure the cart is 3 feet away from mailboxes, cars, and at least 3 feet away from any street-placed basketball hoop.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Vacuum dust (bagged)
- ✓Kitty litter (bagged)
- ✓Animal waste (bagged)
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Mandatory service collected every other week by Waste Management. Place all items loosely in the blue cart without using any plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and newspaper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam packing peanuts or blocks
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Tanglers like cords and hoses
Yard Waste Bin
Optional subscription via WM. Banned items include sod, dirt, concrete, and animal waste. The lid must close completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Fruit and vegetable scraps
- ✓Brush and branches
- ✓Weeds and plant trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
No free regular curbside bulk pickup.
Placement
Do not leave bulky items at the curb. You must transport them directly to the transfer station.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and couches
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Scrap metal
- ✓ Excess household garbage
Not Accepted
- ✕ Explosive materials
- ✕ Commercial quantities of hazardous waste
- ✕ Hot ashes
The Skagit County Transfer Station charges a minimum fee of $20 (covering up to 360 pounds) and $105 per ton thereafter.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
For most holidays, if your collection day falls on the holiday, pickup is delayed by one business day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
WM delays recycling and yard waste by one business day for all listed major holidays.
The City has a highly unique garbage rule for Thanksgiving: Thursday pickups are moved *early* to Wednesday, and Friday pickups are delayed until Monday.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
March to OctoberThe City's Yard Waste Drop-Off Facility on Shop Lane operates on extended summer hours (Wed-Fri 11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Sat-Sun 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) to accommodate the peak growing and landscaping season.
Winter
December to FebruaryDue to decreased organic volume, WM's curbside yard waste collection shifts from a weekly schedule to an every-other-week schedule during these three winter months.
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring the heavy autumn leaf drop, residents with excess leaves can utilize the Shop Lane drop-off facility to prevent wet leaves from clogging neighborhood storm drains.
Local Tips & Community Info
Cash for Your Cans and Bottles in Mount Vernon?
While Mount Vernon itself doesn't have a dedicated local bottle/can redemption center right in town, don't toss those empties! Washington State has a program that allows you to get money back for many beverage containers. You can usually find redemption centers in larger nearby towns like Everett or Bellingham. For scrap metal or other recyclables you can sell, check out local scrap yards around Skagit County. Sometimes, businesses like 'Northwest Recycling' or similar places might offer competitive prices for larger loads of metal. It's worth a quick call to see if they accept what you've got!
Give Your Old Stuff a New Home in Mount Vernon
Got items that are still perfectly good but you just don't need anymore? Instead of tossing them, think about donating! Mount Vernon has some great options. Check out the 'Goodwill' store on College Way. They happily accept clothing, household goods, and even some furniture. Another fantastic place to consider is the 'Habitat for Humanity ReStore' in Burlington, which is just a short drive away. They're always looking for building materials, furniture, appliances, and home decor that can help fund their projects and keep usable items out of the landfill.
Keeping Mount Vernon Beautiful: Community Cleanups & Reporting Shenanigans
Nobody likes seeing trash pile up where it shouldn't. While specific community cleanup events might pop up on short notice, always keep an eye on the City of Mount Vernon's official website or social media pages for announcements. If you ever spot illegal dumping happening, the best thing to do is report it right away. You can typically contact the Mount Vernon Public Works Department or non-emergency police line to let them know the location and as many details as you can. Your call can really help keep our neighborhoods clean!
Drop-off Facilities
Skagit County Recycling & Transfer Station
14104 Ovenell Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Materials Accepted
Mount Vernon Yard Waste Drop-Off Facility
1010 Shop Lane, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I call if my garbage or recycling is missed in Mount Vernon?
Because Mount Vernon uses a split system, you must call the correct provider. For missed grey garbage carts, call the City of Mount Vernon at 360-336-6218. For missed blue recycling or green yard waste carts, call Waste Management (WM) at 800-592-9995.
How does Thanksgiving affect my garbage pickup?
The City has a very specific rule for Thanksgiving week garbage collection. If your normal pickup is Thursday, it will be collected a day early on Wednesday. If your normal pickup is Friday, it will be delayed until the following Monday.
Where can I drop off extra yard waste in Mount Vernon?
Mount Vernon garbage customers can drop off organic yard debris at the City's Yard Waste Drop-Off Facility located at 1010 Shop Lane. Alternatively, you can self-haul materials to the Skagit County Transfer Station on Ovenell Road.
How do I dispose of an old couch or mattress?
The City of Mount Vernon does not provide a free curbside bulky item collection service. You must haul large furniture, appliances, and mattresses yourself to the Skagit County Recycling & Transfer Station on Ovenell Road and pay the minimum $20 disposal fee.