Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Pullman
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 Bin (Trash)
Place carts out by 7:00 a.m. Carts must be placed within 5 feet of the street (not on the sidewalk) and must have at least 3 feet of clearance on either side for the automated arm to grab them.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Glass bottles, jars, and mirrors
- ✓Styrofoam and block foam packaging
- ✓Plastic bags and un-numbered plastics
- ✓Pet waste and diapers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be empty, clean, and placed loosely in the blue cart. Never put recyclables inside a plastic garbage bag.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened corrugated cardboard
- ✓Newspaper, printer paper, junk mail, and magazines
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
- ✓Numbered plastics 1-7 (bottles, jugs, tubs)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind (strictly banned)
- ✕Styrofoam and foam packaging
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Pizza boxes and food-soiled paper
- ✕Plastic lids, caps, and straws
Yard Waste Bin
This is a separate, voluntary subscription service collected once every two weeks from March through November. Yard waste is NOT compost; do not include food scraps, dirt, or rocks.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Weeds and plant trimmings
- ✓Small branches and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Self-haul or rent a temporary dumpster.
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb without renting a temporary dumpster. Temporary dumpsters incur delivery fees, pick-up rates, and daily rental fees.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Appliances and scrap metal (at transfer station)
- ✓ Construction and demolition waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ E-waste like TVs and monitors (take to Pullman Disposal office)
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid chemicals
The Whitman County Transfer Station charges a $15.00 minimum per load (up to 220 lbs). For temporary dumpster rental rates, call Pullman Disposal at 509-334-1914.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your normal collection day lands on one of these six observed holidays, your pickup will be delayed until the following business day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your standard garbage service.
Pullman Disposal operates on a completely normal schedule for all other holidays not listed here. Commercial garbage collections may also run on different holiday schedules than residential.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Shredded Paper Exception
While Pullman Disposal heavily enforces the rule to keep all recyclables completely loose in the blue bin, there is one major exception: shredded paper. Loose shredded paper blows around and creates a massive mess, so it must be placed inside a tightly sealed PAPER bag before going into the recycling cart.
Remove Lids from Plastics
When recycling plastic bottles, jugs, or tubs (numbered 1-7), you must completely remove all plastic caps and lids and throw them into the garbage. Small plastic caps fall through the grates at the recycling facility and cannot be properly sorted.
The Absolute No-Foam Rule
If there is foam anywhere in the description or content of the item, it is NOT recyclable in Pullman. Block foam, Styrofoam cups, meat trays, and foam egg cartons must all go into your regular gray garbage cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryThe customer is strictly responsible for snow removal around their carts. If snow is not cleared away and the truck cannot safely reach the containers, the cart may be left unemptied, or a special handling fee may be assessed on your bill.
Spring/Fall
April and OctoberWhitman County offers reduced rates at the Transfer Station to residents during their annual Spring and Fall Clean-Up weeks. Watch local news and listen to local radio stations for the exact dates each year.
Spring to Autumn
March to NovemberThe optional curbside yard waste collection program is strictly seasonal. Services run from March through November, with collections occurring once every two weeks.
About Pullman Waste Management
Mandatory Universal Recycling Rate
In an effort to keep sustainable waste management affordable for the entire community, the City of Pullman has instituted a mandate requiring all residents within city limits to pay for recycling service. While you are not legally forced to use the blue cart, the service is automatically bundled with your garbage rate, making it highly beneficial for residents to participate and reduce their landfill footprint.
Curbside Used Motor Oil Collection
Unlike many municipalities that require you to drive to a hazardous waste facility, Pullman Disposal offers a convenient curbside collection program for used motor oil. Simply pour your used oil into a clear milk jug, secure the lid tightly, and write "Used Oil" clearly on the outside. Set the jug next to your trash cart on your regular garbage day, and they will dispose of it properly for a small additional fee.
Strict Curbside Glass Ban
As of December 2017, glass of any kind is strictly banned from Pullman's single-stream curbside recycling program. When glass shatters in the collection trucks, it embeds into perfectly good paper and cardboard bales, ruining them. Residents must throw all glass bottles and jars into their standard garbage cart, or self-haul them to the specialized glass collection point at the Whitman County Landfill.
Free E-Waste Drop-Off Program
Electronic waste—including televisions, computer towers (CPUs), monitors, laptops, and e-readers—is officially banned from the Whitman County Landfill. However, Pullman residents can easily recycle these items for free under the E-Cycle Washington program. Simply drop them off at the Pullman Disposal Service office on NW Harold Drive from Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Whitman County Transfer Station Access
For massive home clean-out projects, construction debris, or bulky household items that cannot fit in a standard cart, residents have direct access to the Whitman County Solid Waste Transfer Site and Landfill on Carothers Road. The facility charges a minimum flat fee for loads up to 220 pounds and offers seasonal clean-up weeks in the Spring and Fall featuring significantly reduced disposal rates.
Drop-off Facilities
Whitman County Solid Waste Transfer Site & Landfill
252 Landfill Rd (Carothers Road), Pullman, WA 99163
Materials Accepted
Pullman Disposal Service Office (E-Waste Only)
135 NW Harold Drive, Pullman, WA 99163
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put glass in my blue recycling bin in Pullman?
No! As of December 2017, glass of any kind is strictly banned from the curbside single-stream recycling program in Pullman. Glass shatters and ruins other recyclables. You must throw glass bottles and jars into your regular garbage container, or haul them to the glass collection point at the Whitman County Landfill.
Does my garbage get delayed for Thanksgiving or the 4th of July?
Yes. Pullman Disposal observes both Thanksgiving Day and Independence Day (the 4th of July). If your regular collection day falls on the holiday itself, your carts will be emptied on the following business day. Services for the rest of the week are not delayed.
How do I throw away an old computer or TV?
Whitman County bans electronic waste from the landfill. Do not put computers or TVs in your trash cart. You can recycle them for free under the E-Cycle Washington program by dropping them off at the Pullman Disposal Service office on NW Harold Drive between Monday and Thursday.
Where can I get rid of old paint or hazardous chemicals?
Household hazardous waste—such as chlorine bleach, antifreeze, pesticides, weed killer, and oil-based paints—cannot go in your curbside carts. The Whitman County Household Hazardous Waste Facility (located at the Transfer Station) accepts these materials completely free of charge.