Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Port Angeles
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.
Green (90-Gallon) Bin (Trash)
Place carts at the curb or alley by 7:00 a.m. Allow 5 feet of clearance from obstacles. Lids must be fully closed. No yard waste, liquids, hazardous materials, or hot ashes.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Broken ceramics
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be empty, clean, and dry. Keep recyclables loose in the cart; do not bag them. Discard all lids before recycling.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Clean paper products
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Clamshell packaging
- ✕Glassware and ceramics
- ✕Aerosol cans
- ✕Milk and juice cartons
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Subscription service required. Bins are collected every other week. Dirt, rock, sod, and plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches
- ✓Plant trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
No curbside bulk collection provided
Placement
Do not place bulky items next to your standard cart at the curb; they will be ignored by automated trucks.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Large appliances
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Construction debris
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (unless at MRW facility)
- ✕ Liquids
- ✕ Explosives
Disposal fees apply when dropping items off at the Regional Transfer Station (currently around $338.28 per ton with a $10.00 minimum charge).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Port Angeles only suspends collection on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your pickup falls on one of these holidays, service will be delayed.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling schedules follow the exact same holiday delay protocols as standard garbage collection.
For all other legal holidays, including Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day, garbage is collected normally. Place your bins out on your regularly scheduled day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
Keep your recyclables loose inside the cart. Plastic grocery bags and films tangle in the sorting facility's gears, causing costly shutdowns. You can return clean plastic bags to local drop-off bins at stores like Safeway or Walmart.
Keep Clamshells and Cartons in the Trash
Not all plastics are recyclable in Port Angeles. Plastic clamshells (like berry and salad containers), frozen food bags, juice boxes, and milk cartons are strictly prohibited in the curbside recycling program. Only place plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs in the recycling cart.
Keep Batteries Out to Prevent Fires
Never toss items containing rechargeable batteries into your refuse or recycling bins, as they can catch fire inside the automated collection trucks when compacted. Take them to designated battery drop-off locations or the Moderate Risk Waste Facility.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - FebruaryDuring Pacific Northwest winter storms, collection routes may be delayed. Ensure your carts are out by 7:00 a.m. and completely clear of snowbanks so the mechanical truck arms can grip the 90-gallon containers safely without tipping them.
Spring
March - MaySpring cleaning often generates excess household waste. Remember that leaving bags next to your cart is not allowed. Instead, contact the Solid Waste Division to rent a 300-gallon temporary container or schedule an extra pickup for a fee.
Autumn
October - NovemberHeavy fall foliage brings lots of yard debris. Because leaves and branches are banned from the regular garbage carts, consider subscribing to the city's yard waste service or hauling your seasonal yard waste to the Regional Transfer Station for composting.
About Port Angeles Waste Management
Automated Residential Collection Overview
The City of Port Angeles Solid Waste Division directly manages municipal garbage service for roughly 7,500 residential households using a fleet of automated trucks. Residents within the city limits are provided a standard 90-gallon green refuse cart. To ensure smooth collection, bins must be placed at the curb or in the alleyway by 7:00 a.m. on your designated service day. It is vital to leave at least five feet of clearance between the cart and any cars, fences, or buildings so the automated mechanical arms can grip the container safely.
Every-Other-Week (EOW) Collection Schedule
Single-family homes and small residential buildings (up to fourplexes) in Port Angeles operate on a bi-weekly, or Every Other Week (EOW), refuse and recycling schedule. Recycling service is conveniently included in your municipal utility bill at no extra charge. If you find your household generating excess garbage between collection days, you can contact the Solid Waste Coordinator in advance to schedule a special off-week refuse pickup for an additional fee, which will be added directly to your monthly statement.
Self-Haul Options for Bulky Items and Construction Waste
Unlike some municipalities, Port Angeles does not provide routine curbside bulk item pickup for its residential accounts. If you are upgrading furniture, tossing out mattresses, or clearing out construction debris, you must haul these oversized items directly to the Regional Transfer Station on West 18th Street. For massive home renovation or clean-up projects, residents have the option to rent large 300-gallon dumpsters directly from the city's Garbage Collection department for a temporary rental fee.
Subscription-Based Organics and Yard Debris
Yard waste materials such as grass clippings, fallen leaves, and tree branches are strictly banned from your 90-gallon green garbage cart. Port Angeles residents who want automated organic waste disposal can sign up for the city's subscription yard waste collection, which operates on an every-other-week basis for a small monthly premium. Alternative disposal methods include backyard composting, grasscycling on your lawn, or hauling yard trimmings directly to the transfer station.
Managing Excess Trash and Resolving Missed Pickups
If your bin lid is propped open by excess waste, the automated trucks will not service it. Furthermore, you cannot leave extra trash bags sitting next to your cart on the curb. You must contact the solid waste office to arrange and pay for an extra pickup. If your cart is missed entirely because it was set out late or placed too close to a parked vehicle, residents are advised to call the collection office after 3:00 p.m. on their service day, keeping in mind that return trips may incur an additional charge.
Drop-off Facilities
Regional Transfer Station & Moderate Risk Waste Facility
3501 W 18th St, Port Angeles, WA 98363
Materials Accepted
Blue Mountain Transfer Station
1024 Blue Mountain Road, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my garbage cart is missed in Port Angeles?
The most common reasons for a missed pickup are placing the cart out after 7:00 a.m., overfilling it so the lid is open, or placing it too close to a vehicle. If you miss your collection, call the garbage office at 360-417-4876 after 3:00 p.m. on your service day. Note that a return trip fee may apply.
Can I leave extra bags of trash next to my 90-gallon bin?
No, the automated collection trucks will only empty materials placed completely inside the cart with the lid closed. If you have extra garbage, you must call the Solid Waste Division to schedule and pay for an extra pickup, or self-haul the waste to the Regional Transfer Station.
How do I safely dispose of old electronics and TVs?
Electronic waste cannot go in your regular garbage cart. Port Angeles residents can take old computers, laptops, televisions, and e-readers to the local Goodwill for free recycling through the E-Cycle Washington program.
Will my garbage schedule change on the 4th of July or Labor Day?
No. The City of Port Angeles only pauses garbage collection on three specific holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. For all other holidays, including the 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day, collection happens on your normal scheduled day.