Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Puyallup
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)
All trash must be securely bagged before being placed in the cart to prevent windblown litter. Place the cart at the curb by 7:00 a.m. with the lid completely closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and styrofoam
- ✓Pet waste and diapers (double-bagged)
- ✓Pizza boxes and soiled 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 grocery or trash 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 limits apply. Banned items include dirt, rocks, noxious weeds, items labeled 'compostable', and greasy pizza boxes.
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 7:00 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 D.M. Disposal / Murrey's at 253-414-0345 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 (e.g., Thursday shifts to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling collections follow the exact same holiday shift as standard garbage service.
D.M. Disposal operates normally on all other holidays, including MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep 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 the Elks Lodge or Hidden Valley drop-off sites.
Bag Your Blackberries
Noxious weeds, particularly invasive blackberry bushes, are strictly banned from the yard waste cart because their resilient seeds easily survive the commercial composting process. They must be bagged and thrown in the regular garbage.
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. D.M. Disposal 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 Puyallup's roads, may prompt D.M. Disposal to delay service for safety. Check their mobile app or website for real-time service alerts.
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring peak leaf-drop season, ensure your 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 AugustSummer holidays like Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day do NOT cause collection delays in Puyallup. You must have your bins at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on these holidays as usual.
About Puyallup Waste Management
Mandatory Solid Waste Collection
For health and sanitation reasons, Puyallup Municipal Code section 6.12.030 mandates that all occupied residences receive and pay for solid waste collection services. The City contracts exclusively with D.M. Disposal (a subsidiary of Murrey's Disposal and Waste Connections) to provide these services. While the city oversees the ordinance, all billing, schedule inquiries, and cart replacements must be handled directly with the hauler.
The Pierce County Glass Ban
Since 2006, Pierce County has strictly banned glass from curbside recycling carts. When glass is mixed with other recyclables in automated trucks, it shatters and heavily contaminates paper and cardboard bales while damaging sorting machinery. Puyallup residents must collect their glass and self-haul it to designated drop-off locations, such as the Elks Lodge on 27th Street NE or the Hidden Valley Transfer Station.
Composting Food and Organic Waste
In alignment with Washington State's Organics Management Laws, D.M. Disposal accepts a wide variety of food scraps in the curbside yard waste bin. Puyallup residents are encouraged to compost fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and bones along with their standard grass and leaf clippings. Diverting these heavy, methane-producing organic materials away from the landfill is a major priority for Pierce County.
Hidden Valley Transfer Station Convenience
Puyallup is uniquely positioned to take full advantage of the LRI Hidden Valley Transfer Station, located right on Meridian Avenue East. Operating seven days a week, this massive facility allows residents to drop off bulky household waste, yard debris, and appliances. It also features a dedicated Household Hazardous Waste collection center that accepts dangerous chemicals for free on specific days of the week.
Reliable Summer Holiday Schedules
Unlike many regional haulers that alter their collection schedules throughout the summer, D.M. Disposal remains incredibly consistent. Garbage, recycling, and yard waste routes run 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 Puyallup residents are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Drop-off Facilities
Hidden Valley Transfer Station (LRI)
17925 Meridian Ave E, Puyallup, WA 98375
Materials Accepted
Puyallup Elks Lodge Glass Drop-Off
314 27th St NE, Puyallup, WA 98372
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Puyallup pick up my trash?
No. The City of Puyallup contracts with a franchised private hauler, D.M. Disposal (a subsidiary of Murrey's Disposal and Waste Connections), to handle all residential garbage and recycling collections. You must contact D.M. Disposal directly for billing, schedules, or cart issues.
Can I put glass in my blue recycling bin in Puyallup?
No, glass is strictly banned from curbside recycling in Pierce County. When glass shatters during automated collection, it contaminates paper bales and wears out sorting machinery. You must self-haul clean glass to designated drop-off sites, such as the Elks Lodge on 27th St NE or the Hidden Valley Transfer Station.
Can I compost meat and dairy in my yard waste bin?
Yes! D.M. Disposal accepts a wide range of food scraps in the yard waste cart, including meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. However, you cannot put greasy pizza boxes, paper towels, or 'compostable' plastics into the green bin.
Does my garbage get delayed for Memorial Day or the 4th of July?
No. D.M. Disposal operates on a completely normal schedule for Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day. The only holidays that cause a one-day delay in your pickup are Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.