Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Mount Vernon
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 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
!Contamination Tips
Bag Dusty and Messy Garbage
The City of Mount Vernon explicitly requires that all vacuum dust, kitty litter, and animal waste be securely bagged before being placed in the grey garbage cart. This protects sanitation workers from hazardous dust clouds during the automated dumping process.
Keep Basketball Hoops Clear
The automated arms on the collection trucks need plenty of space to safely grab the carts. In addition to cars and mailboxes, Mount Vernon explicitly requires carts to be placed at least 3 feet away from any street-placed basketball hoops.
No Dirt or Sod in Yard Waste
Whether using the curbside green cart from WM or the 1010 Shop Lane drop-off facility, you must never include sod, dirt, concrete, or animal waste in your organic debris. These items contaminate compost and break down the processing machinery.
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.
About Mount Vernon Waste Management
The Hybrid Municipal and Private System
In Mount Vernon, residential waste collection is uniquely split between the city government and a private hauler. The City of Mount Vernon Public Works Department directly manages and bills for weekly garbage collection using grey carts. However, mandatory recycling and optional yard waste services are contracted out to Waste Management (WM), meaning residents will receive a separate bill from WM for these specific services.
Mandatory Recycling with Waste Management
To comply with local environmental ordinances, curbside recycling is a mandatory service for all Mount Vernon residents. WM provides the blue recycling carts, which are collected every other week. Because WM handles this directly, any issues regarding missed recycling pickups, blue cart replacements, or recycling billing must be directed to WM's customer service at 800-592-9995, not the city.
Dual Options for Organics and Yard Waste
Mount Vernon offers residents two distinct ways to handle organic waste. Residents can subscribe to WM's curbside yard waste program, which provides a green 96-gallon cart collected weekly from March through November and bi-weekly in the winter. Alternatively, city garbage customers can self-haul organic materials (like grass, leaves, and brush) to the City's Yard Waste Drop-Off Facility located at 1010 Shop Lane.
The Thanksgiving Collection Shift
While most holidays simply push your collection back by one day, the City of Mount Vernon has a highly unique protocol for Thanksgiving garbage collection. If your regular garbage day is Thursday (Thanksgiving), your trash will actually be collected a day *early* on Wednesday. If your regular day is Friday, your collection will be pushed back to the following Monday.
Skagit County Transfer Station Access
Because the City does not provide a free curbside bulk item pickup program for large furniture or appliances, residents must utilize regional county resources. The Skagit County Recycling & Transfer Station, located right in Mount Vernon on Ovenell Road, allows residents to safely drop off bulky household waste, scrap metal, and household hazardous waste for a per-ton disposal fee.
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.