Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Mountlake Terrace
Trash Day
Every Wednesday
Recycling
Every other Wednesday (alternating weeks based on neighborhood zone)
Yard Waste
Every other Wednesday (alternating weeks based on neighborhood zone)
Set Out Time
By 6:30 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside collection is contracted through Waste Management Northwest, while water, sewer, and stormwater services are billed directly by the City of Mountlake Terrace every other month.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Drop Box, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Low-income homeowners and renters who meet county income guidelines can qualify for a 30% discount on city utility bills and free garbage service.
Grey or Green (varies by standard WM cart) Bin (Trash)
Please bag all garbage before placing it in the cart. Double bag messy items like pet waste, sawdust, and cold ashes. The cart must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. with the lid completely closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam and foam packaging
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter (double-bagged)
- ✓Diapers and cold ashes (double-bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All items must be empty, clean, and loose. Do not bag recyclables or nest items inside boxes. Give food containers a quick rinse.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, unwaxed cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film wrap
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food residue and liquids
- ✕Glass (check local drop-off options or specific WM route rules)
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags. Layer food scraps with yard waste to absorb liquids. Extra yard waste can be placed in 35-gallon cans labeled 'Yard', paper leaf bags, or tied in bundles (4'x2' limit).
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves, branches, and brush
- ✓Fruit and vegetable scraps
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
- ✓Approved compostable bags for kitchen scraps
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On demand (requires scheduling)
Placement
Schedule your bulky item collection with WM customer service. Place approved items at the curb only on your confirmed special pickup date.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Household appliances
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Building materials (within limits)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Liquid household hazardous waste
- ✕ Oil-based paints and solvents
- ✕ Chemicals and pesticides
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Automobile fluids
Special arrangements and additional fees apply for all bulky item collections. You must contact WM Customer Service at 1-800-592-9995 to receive a quote and finalize your schedule.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
WM Northwest observes Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your collection day falls on or after a weekday holiday, service is delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling follow the exact same one-day delay schedule as regular garbage for the three major winter holidays.
Garbage collection will not take place on July 4th (a double load is collected on the next scheduled day). Recycling and yard debris services occur as normal on July 4th.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryDuring heavy Pacific Northwest snowstorms or ice events, Snohomish County collection routes may be delayed for safety. Check the WM Northwest Service Alerts page. If your street is impassable, leave your carts at the curb for recovery when conditions improve.
Summer
JulyRemember the unique July 4th rule: Garbage is not collected on Independence Day, and a double load is picked up on your next service day for free. However, your recycling and yard waste will still be picked up on July 4th as normal.
Fall
October to NovemberAutumn brings heavy leaf drops. If you exceed your yard waste cart's capacity, you can place extra leaves in Kraft paper yard bags, 35-gallon cans labeled 'Yard', or tie branches with natural twine (up to 4'x2'). Extra fees may apply.
Local Tips & Community Info
Pocket Some Change: Where to Turn Your Cans and Bottles in Mountlake Terrace
While Mountlake Terrace doesn't have specific local buyback centers right in town, Washington State has a fantastic program called the Beverage Container Redemption Program. This means you can take your empty cans and bottles to many grocery stores throughout the region and get a small refund for them! Just look for the recycling symbol. For larger amounts of scrap metal, you might need to head a bit further out. A quick online search for 'scrap metal recycling near Shoreline' or 'scrap yards Seattle area' will give you options. Remember to call ahead to check what types of metal they accept and their hours.
Give Your Goods a Second Life: Donation Spots Near Mountlake Terrace
Instead of tossing items that are still good, why not share them with others? Right here in the Edmonds area, there's the Edmonds Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation Thrift Shop. It's a great spot to drop off gently used books, clothing, and household items. Also, consider the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Lynnwood. They're always looking for furniture, appliances, and building materials that can help fund their affordable housing projects. It's a wonderful way to declutter and support a good cause at the same time.
Keeping Mountlake Terrace Spick and Span: Reporting Litter Bugs
Nobody likes seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be! If you notice illegal dumping or find a spot that needs a good cleanup, the best thing to do is report it. You can usually do this through the City of Mountlake Terrace's official website or by calling their public works department. They have specific ways to handle these situations and help keep our neighborhoods looking great. Sometimes, community cleanup events pop up too, so keep an eye on local community boards or the city's news for ways to get involved and make a difference.
Drop-off Facilities
Southwest Recycling & Transfer Station (SWRTS)
21311 61st Pl W, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Materials Accepted
Snohomish County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off
3434 McDougall Ave, Everett, WA 98201
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides trash collection service for Mountlake Terrace, WA?
Waste Management (WM) Northwest is the official residential solid waste service provider for homes in Mountlake Terrace, offering weekly garbage and alternating bi-weekly recycling and yard waste pickups.
How are garbage days affected by holidays in Mountlake Terrace?
WM only delays service by one day for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. For the 4th of July, garbage collection is skipped entirely (with a free double load picked up the next week), but recycling and yard waste are collected normally on July 4th.
Can I put extra garbage bags next to my cart?
Yes, but there is an additional charge for any extra garbage that does not fit inside your primary cart with the lid completely closed. Be sure to bag all standard garbage.
Where can I take large appliances or extra garbage myself?
Mountlake Terrace residents can utilize the Snohomish County Southwest Recycling & Transfer Station (SWRTS) conveniently located at 21311 61st Pl W, Mountlake Terrace, WA to dispose of extra garbage, yard waste, and appliances.