Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Olympia
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.
Gray or Black Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be securely bagged before being placed in the cart. The lid must close completely, and carts should be spaced at least three feet apart from other bins and vehicles for the automated arm.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✓Pet waste and diapers (double-bagged)
- ✓Cold ashes (bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be completely empty, clean, and dry. Place all items loosely in the cart; never use plastic bags to hold your recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Empty plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars (strictly banned)
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Tanglers like hoses or cords
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags. Dirt, rocks, sod, and large pieces of untreated wood are strictly prohibited. The cart lid must close flat.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Weeds and plant trimmings
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, coffee filters)
- ✓Small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-call basis; scheduling and fees apply.
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb without an appointment. Place approved items at the curb by the designated time on your scheduled day, keeping them clear of regular automated carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Large boxed items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Loose construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Lithium-ion batteries
This service requires an additional fee. Alternatively, you can self-haul bulk waste to the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center (WARC) in Lacey and pay the per-ton drop-off rate. Call 360-753-8340 to schedule.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after an observed holiday, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday shifts to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your standard garbage service.
The Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center (WARC) is also closed on these four major holidays. Regular curbside service typically occurs normally on other holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Glass Out of the Blue Cart
If you throw glass in your main recycling cart, it shatters and contaminates perfect paper and cardboard bales. Always drop off your clean glass at designated Thurston County or Olympia drop-off locations.
Bag Your Trash, Not Your Recycling
While bagging garbage keeps neighborhoods clean, bagging recyclables ruins them. Flimsy plastic bags wrap around and jam the sorting machinery, so always leave your cardboard and rigid plastics completely loose in the blue bin.
No 'Compostable' Plastics in Organics
Although you can put food-soiled paper in the green cart, avoid putting items labeled as 'compostable plastics'—like green bioplastic bags or biodegradable utensils—in the bin, as they do not break down properly in local commercial composting facilities.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryDuring severe winter weather or snowstorms, safety is the priority. If icy roads delay your collection, pull your carts back in. Drivers will collect double your normal volume on the next safely accessible service day at no extra charge.
Spring-Fall
March to NovemberTake advantage of the City's Saturday Drop-off site at 1000 10th Ave SE, which is open during these months from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to accept scrap metal, glass, cardboard, and extra yard debris.
Post-Holiday
JanuaryThe City of Olympia typically offers seasonal holiday tree recycling. Bare trees must be cut into sections small enough to fit inside your green organics cart, and must be completely free of flocking, tinsel, wire, and ornaments.
About Olympia Waste Management
City of Olympia's Waste ReSources Utility
The City of Olympia directly manages its residential solid waste through its own Waste ReSources utility. Unlike neighboring unincorporated Thurston County areas that rely on private franchised haulers, residents inside the Olympia city limits receive dedicated municipal garbage, recycling, and organics services. This ensures streamlined billing and localized customer support directly from the city government.
The Crucial Curbside Glass Ban
A major rule for Olympia residents is the strict ban on placing glass in the curbside blue recycling carts. Glass easily shatters in the automated trucks, contaminating paper bales and damaging sorting machinery. Instead, you must collect your glass bottles and jars and take them to a designated city drop-off location, such as the Saturday Drop-off site on 10th Ave SE or the Thurston County WARC.
Robust Organics and Food Waste Composting
Olympia strongly supports Washington State's environmental initiatives by offering an extensive organics collection program. Your green yard waste cart isn't just for grass clippings and autumn leaves. You can actively compost all your kitchen food scraps, including meat, bones, dairy, and food-soiled paper like greasy pizza delivery boxes.
The Local Saturday Drop-Off Site
Olympia provides a highly convenient, seasonal Saturday Drop-off site for residents. Operating from spring through fall at the Maintenance Center on 10th Ave SE, this location allows residents to safely drop off scrap metal, glass, and cardboard for free. It also accepts yard waste for a small fee, heavily reducing the need to drive all the way out to the county transfer station.
Statewide Cart Color Standards
In compliance with recent Washington State mandates, Olympia is ensuring its carts follow strict color-coding for clarity. Your garbage cart will be gray or black, your recycling cart must be blue, and your organics waste cart will be green or brown. This visual consistency helps reduce contamination across the entire Puget Sound region.
Drop-off Facilities
Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center (WARC)
2420 Hogum Bay Rd NE, Lacey, WA 98516
Materials Accepted
Olympia Saturday Drop-off Site
1000 10th Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Olympia pick up my trash?
Yes. If you live within the Olympia city limits, your residential garbage, recycling, and organics are collected directly by the City's own utility department, Waste ReSources. If you live in the surrounding unincorporated areas, your service is likely provided by a private hauler like LeMay Pacific Disposal.
Can I recycle glass in my blue curbside bin in Olympia?
No. Glass is strictly banned from curbside recycling carts in Olympia. When mixed with other recyclables, it breaks and contaminates the load. You must save your glass and take it to a designated drop-off location, such as the Saturday Drop-off site or the WARC.
Can I put pizza boxes and food scraps in my yard waste cart?
Yes! Olympia's green organics cart accepts all food scraps, including meat, dairy, bones, and food-soiled paper like greasy pizza boxes and coffee filters, in addition to your standard yard debris.
Where can I get rid of old paint and household chemicals?
Hazardous materials are banned from your curbside carts. Thurston County residents can dispose of items like oil-based paints, pesticides, pool chemicals, and used motor oil for free at the HazoHouse, located at the Waste and Recovery Center in Lacey.