Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Port Orchard
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 or Grey Cart Bin (Trash)
Set out by 6:00 a.m. Keep lids closed. Leave 3 feet of space between bins and obstacles. 32-gallon cans must weigh less than 65 lbs; larger carts max out at 180 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Pet waste (double-bagged)
- ✓Cold ashes
- ✓Broken glass (securely wrapped)
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Collection is every other week. Recyclables must be empty, clean, and loose. Never bag your recycling in plastic. Extra recycling can go in a cardboard box labeled 'Recycle'.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Available by subscription. Extra yard trimmings (excluding food scraps) must be in Kraft paper bags or 32-gallon cans labeled 'Yard'. No plastic bags allowed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Branches (under 3 inches thick, under 4 feet long)
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, veg)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, coffee filters)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By request only
Placement
Special instructions for curb placement will be provided by a WM representative when you schedule your appointment.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large appliances
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Console televisions
- ✓ Building materials
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Explosives
Fees vary based on the item's size and type. Call 800-592-9995 (M-F 7am-7pm, Sat 9am-1pm) for an exact quote.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day, service will be delayed by one day. Subsequent pickups that week will also shift one day later (e.g., Thursday to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Compost and recycling collection schedules follow the exact same holiday delay rules as the garbage collection schedule.
WM runs standard collection routes on all other holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), and Labor Day. Place your bins out as normal on those dates.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Recyclables Unbagged
Never place your clean recyclables inside a plastic garbage or grocery bag. Plastic bags cannot be sorted mechanically and will wrap around conveyor belts at the recycling center, causing severe equipment damage.
Throw Shredded Paper in the Trash
Although whole sheets of paper are highly recyclable, shredded paper is too small to be separated from other materials at the sorting facility. Always dispose of shredded paper in your regular garbage cart.
Yard Waste Needs Paper, Not Plastic
When setting out extra yard debris, never use plastic bags. Plastic cannot break down at the Kitsap County commercial composting facilities. Instead, use biodegradable Kraft paper yard bags or bundle branches with sisal twine.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - FebruarySevere Pacific Northwest winter storms may delay service routes. Ensure your carts are clear of snowbanks and have a path to the street. Check the WM online dashboard for weather-related service alerts in Port Orchard.
Autumn
October - NovemberDuring heavy leaf-fall months, you can manage extra yard trimmings by placing them in 32-gallon cans labeled 'Yard' or in paper yard bags, though a supplemental fee per extra unit will apply.
Summer
June - AugustWhen pruning trees and shrubs during the summer, ensure all branches are cut to less than three inches in diameter and under four feet in length before placing them inside your organics cart.
About Port Orchard Waste Management
Mandatory Curbside Collection in Port Orchard
In the City of Port Orchard, local ordinances require all residents to subscribe to regular garbage and recycling services through Waste Management (WM). This mandate helps maintain public health, prevent litter buildup, and preserve Kitsap County's natural resources. Residents receive weekly refuse collection alongside every-other-week (EOW) curbside recycling. To guarantee pickup, all containers must be wheeled to the street by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service day.
Automated and Manual Cart Limits
Port Orchard routes use a mix of mechanical and manual lifting methods, making container weight restrictions critically important. Standard 32-gallon cans or bundles that are emptied by hand must not exceed 65 pounds for the safety of WM drivers. However, if your household utilizes larger WM-issued carts, which are lifted by automated robotic arms, the maximum allowable weight jumps to 180 pounds. Any cart exceeding these thresholds will be left unemptied.
Compost and Yard Debris Subscription
Residents living within burn ban areas have the option to subscribe to an organic compost collection service. This bi-weekly service accepts a mix of food scraps (including meats, dairy, and coffee grounds), food-soiled paper products like pizza boxes, and standard yard trimmings. The collection day for organics is distinctly marked on the lid of your green compost cart, typically falling on a Wednesday or Friday during your recycling week.
Scheduling Bulky Waste Removals
Standard weekly trash collection strictly forbids large household items that cannot fit inside your closed bin. However, Port Orchard residents can easily dispose of bulky items such as mattresses, console televisions, appliances, and heavy furniture by contacting WM Customer Service at 800-592-9995. These special arrangements incur an additional fee, or you can self-haul materials directly to the nearby Olympic View Transfer Station in Bremerton.
Handling Extra Household Garbage
If your household generates more refuse than your primary garbage cart can hold, WM offers flexibility for an added fee. Extra bags or personal 32-gallon containers (subject to the 65-pound weight limit) can be set next to your cart on collection day. If you find yourself frequently paying for overflow refuse, upgrading to a larger cart size is a more cost-effective long-term solution.
Drop-off Facilities
Olympic View Transfer Station
9380 SW Barney White Rd, Bremerton, WA 98312
Materials Accepted
Kitsap County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
Olympic View Transfer Station complex (Check specific building)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I opt out of garbage service in Port Orchard?
No. Local city ordinances require all Port Orchard residents to subscribe to both garbage and recycling collection in order to preserve public health and reduce neighborhood litter.
What should I do if my trash cart is too full?
If you have occasional overflow, you can place extra bagged garbage next to your cart; however, you will be charged a supplemental fee per extra bag or 32-gallon can. If this happens frequently, you should call WM to upgrade to a larger cart size.
Will my pickup day change for the 4th of July?
No. Waste Management only pauses collection for three holidays in Port Orchard: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. For the 4th of July and all other holidays, you should place your bins out on your regularly scheduled day.
Are food scraps allowed in the yard waste bin?
Yes, if you subscribe to the compost collection program. The green compost carts accept meat, dairy, vegetables, fruits, and food-soiled paper products like greasy pizza boxes, alongside standard yard trimmings.