Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Pasco
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.
BDI Cart (Usually Grey or Blue) Bin (Trash)
Place your cart out by 5:00 AM. Break down cardboard and place yard waste in last (on top) to prevent jams during the automated lifting process.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Bagged yard waste and grass clippings
- ✓Tumbleweeds (cut to fit or left as extras)
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Neighborhood Drop-boxes Bin (Recycling)
There is no curbside recycling. Take all items to local BDI drop-boxes. All cans, plastics, and cartons must be rinsed clean, and plastic lids must be removed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Newspaper and mixed paper
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
- ✓Aluminum and steel (tin) cans
- ✓#1 and #2 plastics (Pasco only)
- ✓Milk and juice cartons (Pasco only)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastic lids and caps
- ✕Plastics #3 through #7
- ✕Food or garbage
- ✕Plastic bags
Yard Waste Bin
Pasco does not have a separate yard waste collection. All yard waste is treated as garbage and must be bagged and placed inside your regular BDI trash container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and weeds
- ✓Small branches
- ✓Garden trimmings
- ✓Tumbleweeds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Year-round 'extras' allowance; dumpsters available for rent.
Placement
If you have extra bags, boxes, or bundles, you must place them at least 3 feet away from your main garbage cart so the automated arm has enough clearance to grab the bin.
Accepted
- ✓ Bagged household garbage
- ✓ Bundled branches (max 4'x2'x2')
- ✓ Boxed general debris (max 65 lbs per box)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Unbundled loose piles
- ✕ Hazardous waste or chemicals
- ✕ Oversized heavy appliances without notice
- ✕ Liquid paints
Small properly bundled extras may be included in your city rate. For large appliances, major cleanouts, or extra yards of waste, call BDI at 509-547-2476 to ask about specific disposal fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after one of these three observed holidays, your pickup will be pushed back by one day, with Friday routes collected on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is treated as regular garbage and follows the exact same holiday delay schedule.
Basin Disposal works on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day. Your service will NOT be delayed during those summer holidays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Remove Lids from Plastics and Cartons
When using the neighborhood recycling drop-boxes in Pasco, remember to take all plastic lids and caps off #1 and #2 plastic bottles, as well as milk and juice cartons. Lids are a different type of plastic and cause contamination.
Bag Your Yard Waste
Because yard clippings go into the regular garbage, BDI requires that all grass clippings, leaves, and loose weeds be bagged. This prevents organic debris from blowing around the street or sticking to the inside of the cart when it is dumped.
Load Carts Smartly to Prevent Jams
BDI's automated truck arm squeezes the sides of your garbage cart. If stiff cardboard is jammed in the middle, it can create a wedge, leading to a half-emptied can. Always break down boxes and load them or yard waste last.
Seasonal Information
Winter/Holiday
December to JanuaryPasco customers can dispose of Christmas trees for free if their city utility plan includes 'extras' pickup. Alternatively, trees (with all tinsel and ornaments removed) can be taken to the Pasco Golf Course on RD 36 to be chipped for walking paths.
Spring/Summer
March to AugustTumbleweeds are a frequent nuisance in Eastern Washington. BDI will collect tumbleweeds with your regular garbage; either break them down into your cart or place them as a neat 'extra' bundle at the curb.
Year-Round
January to DecemberDuring heavy wind events, secure your garbage cart lids tightly. Pasco Code Enforcement actively patrols for scattered litter and illegal dumping, and property owners are responsible for maintaining clean street frontages.
About Pasco Waste Management
Pasco's Municipal Franchise Partnership
The City of Pasco operates its residential solid waste collection through a franchise agreement with Basin Disposal, Inc. (BDI). While the City of Pasco manages your utility billing, BDI is responsible for providing the wheeled garbage carts and executing the weekly curbside collection routes.
Neighborhood Drop-Box Recycling System
Unlike many municipalities that use individual curbside blue bins, Pasco utilizes a community-based drop-box recycling model. Basin Disposal maintains several recycling drop containers at convenient neighborhood spots, including Virgie Robinson Elementary, Ochoa Middle School, and Grange Hall. Residents are encouraged to self-sort and drop off their clean recyclables at these 24/7 locations.
Managing Extras and Bulky Waste
If your household generates more waste than your cart can hold, Pasco rules allow for extra items to be placed curbside. Any extras must be properly bagged, boxed, or bundled to dimensions no larger than 4' x 2' x 2' and cannot exceed 65 pounds. Always place these extras at least 3 feet away from your primary container so the automated truck arm can safely reach the main cart.
Preparing Your Cart for Automated Trucks
BDI utilizes automated side-loading trucks to service Pasco neighborhoods. For a successful pickup, your cart must be placed at the curb by 5:00 AM on your collection day. Ensure the cart handles are pointed toward your home and away from the street, and keep a minimum 3-foot clearance from mailboxes, parked vehicles, or extra bags.
Drop-off Facilities
BDI Drop-Box Recycling (Ochoa Middle School)
1801 E. Sheppard St, Pasco, WA 99301
Materials Accepted
BDI Drop-Box Recycling (Virgie Robinson Elementary)
125 S Wehe Ave, Pasco, WA 99301
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Pasco provide a curbside blue bin for recycling?
No, Pasco does not operate a traditional curbside recycling program. Instead, Basin Disposal provides several neighborhood drop-box recycling containers across the city (such as at local schools and parks) where residents can take their sorted paper, cardboard, cans, and #1/#2 plastics.
How do I throw away yard waste and tumbleweeds in Pasco?
Pasco does not offer separate curbside yard waste bins. All organic yard waste, including grass clippings, leaves, weeds, and tumbleweeds, must be treated as regular garbage. Please bag the waste to prevent messes and place it inside your Basin Disposal trash cart.
Will my garbage be picked up on the 4th of July or Labor Day?
Yes. Basin Disposal crews work normally on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day, so your garbage collection will not be interrupted. The only holidays that cause a one-day delay are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
What should I do if I have more garbage than will fit in my cart?
If your primary cart is completely full, you can place 'extras' at the curb. These extras must be bagged, boxed, or bundled (no larger than 4' x 2' x 2' and under 65 pounds) and set at least 3 feet away from your garbage cart so the automated truck can still operate safely.