Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Parkland
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 trash must be securely bagged before being placed in the cart to prevent litter. Place the cart at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day with the lid completely closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and styrofoam
- ✓Pet waste and diapers (double-bagged)
- ✓Pizza boxes and paper plates
- ✓Noxious weeds like blackberry bushes
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be empty, clean, and dry. Place items loosely inside the blue cart without using any plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars (strictly banned)
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Items labeled compostable or biodegradable
- ✕Styrofoam packing peanuts or blocks
- ✕Food waste and liquids
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags. Maximum weight is 250 lbs. Banned items include dirt, rocks, noxious weeds, items labeled 'compostable', pizza boxes, and paper towels.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Plant trimmings, shrubs, and weeds
- ✓Meat, poultry, seafood, and bones
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, and eggshells
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
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 6:00 a.m. on your designated pickup day, ensuring they do not block standard waste carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
- ✓ Large bagged or boxed debris
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and liquid chemicals
- ✕ Loose land-clearing debris and stumps
- ✕ Lithium-ion batteries
- ✕ Tires
Fees vary based on the item's size, weight, and disposal requirements. Contact LeMay at 253-875-5053 for a quote and 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.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling collections follow the exact same holiday shift as standard garbage service.
LeMay Pierce County Refuse operates normally on all other holidays, including Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Bag Your Blackberries
Noxious weeds, particularly invasive blackberry bushes, are strictly banned from the yard waste cart because their resilient seeds survive the commercial composting process. They must be bagged and thrown in the regular garbage.
Leave Glass Out of the Blue Cart
Glass is universally banned from Pierce County curbside recycling. Throwing a single jar into your blue cart can shatter and ruin an entire truckload of recycled paper. Always self-haul glass to a local drop-off site.
Ditch the 'Compostable' Plastics
Items marketed as 'compostable' or 'biodegradable' (like green bioplastic bags, coffee pods, or special cutlery) do not break down fast enough in the local processing facility. LeMay treats these items as trash contamination, so leave them out of your green cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruarySevere Pacific Northwest winter storms, particularly ice or snow on Parkland's roads, may prompt LeMay Pierce County Refuse to delay service for safety. Check the LeMay mobile app or website for real-time service alerts.
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring peak leaf-drop season, ensure your green yard waste cart does not contain any hidden trash. Excess yard waste should be placed next to your container in untied paper bags (additional fees apply per bag).
Summer
June to AugustDuring the hot summer months, dried yard debris creates a fire risk, and piles of yard debris attract pests. Utilize the weekly organics collection to keep your property clear, but ensure your cart is out by 6:00 a.m. as routes may run early.
About Parkland Waste Management
Unincorporated Pierce County Waste Services
Because Parkland is an unincorporated census-designated place, residents do not rely on a localized city utility for waste collection. Instead, Pierce County franchises these services to private haulers. LeMay Pierce County Refuse, a Waste Connections company, handles residential collections in the Parkland area, providing reliable weekly garbage, recycling, and organics services. Residents are responsible for setting up their own curbside accounts.
The Strict Pierce County Curbside Glass Ban
A major rule for all Parkland residents is the absolute ban on curbside glass recycling. Due to the high costs of machinery wear and severe paper contamination when glass shatters in the automated trucks, you cannot put glass bottles or jars in your blue cart. Instead, glass must be kept separate and self-hauled to designated county drop-off locations, such as the Hidden Valley Transfer Station or the Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center.
Composting Food Scraps (But Not Pizza Boxes)
In alignment with Washington State's organics diversion goals, LeMay Pierce County Refuse allows Parkland households to compost all food scraps—including meat, dairy, bones, and seafood—in the green yard waste cart. However, unlike some regional programs, LeMay strictly prohibits paper products like greasy pizza boxes, paper towels, and any bioplastics labeled 'compostable' from entering the yard waste stream.
Reliable Summer Holiday Collections
Many Pacific Northwest haulers alter their schedules during the summer, but LeMay Pierce County Refuse is remarkably consistent. Garbage, recycling, and yard waste collections operate on a completely normal schedule during Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the 4th of July, and Labor Day. The only holidays that trigger a one-day service delay for Parkland residents are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Pierce County Code Enforcement
The improper accumulation of solid waste, appliances, or furniture on private property in Parkland is considered a public nuisance under Pierce County Code Enforcement. Residents are encouraged to responsibly self-haul excess debris to local transfer stations or schedule a bulk pickup with LeMay to prevent health hazards, rodent infestations, and potential county fines.
Drop-off Facilities
Hidden Valley Transfer Station
17925 Meridian Ave E, Puyallup, WA 98375
Materials Accepted
Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center
3510 S Mullen St, Tacoma, WA 98409
Materials Accepted
LeMay Pierce County Refuse Facility
4111 192nd St E, Frederickson, WA 98446
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who picks up my trash in Parkland?
As an unincorporated community in Pierce County, Parkland's residential solid waste is managed by franchised private haulers, predominantly LeMay Pierce County Refuse (a Waste Connections company). You must set up an account directly with them to begin service.
Why can't I put glass in my recycling bin?
Glass is banned from curbside recycling in Pierce County because it shatters during automated collection and sorting, which contaminates paper bales and wears out the machinery. You must self-haul glass to designated drop-off sites like the Hidden Valley Transfer Station or the Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center.
Can I compost pizza boxes or 'compostable' plastics in my yard waste bin?
No. While LeMay accepts food scraps like meat, dairy, and veggies in the yard waste cart, they explicitly ban pizza boxes, paper plates, paper towels, and items labeled 'compostable' (like bioplastic bags or cutlery).
What holidays delay garbage pickup in Parkland?
LeMay Pierce County Refuse only delays collection for three major holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your pickup falls on or after these days, it will be delayed by one day. Service runs completely normally on all other holidays, including Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day.