Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Richland
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday based on neighborhood zones. Household garbage (gray cart) is picked up once per week on your designated weekday.
Recycling
Recycling is collected every other week on an alternating (A/B) schedule, Monday through Friday, often on a different day than your trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Yard waste (green cart) is collected weekly on the same designated day as your garbage pickup.
Set Out Time
6:00 AM
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste and recycling charges are bundled directly into your comprehensive monthly City of Richland utility bill, alongside electric, water, and sewer services.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online (MyAccount), Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Discounted utility rates are available for qualifying low-income senior citizens (age 62+) and low-income disabled residents. Emergency payment assistance is also offered through the Helping Hands program.
Gray Bin (Trash)
Place the cart out by 6:00 a.m. with the wheels against the curb. Maintain a 3-foot clearance from cars, trees, mailboxes, and fences, and ensure 14 feet of overhead clearance.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✓Pet waste and diapers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Optional service collected every other week on a different day than garbage. Items must be placed loosely in the cart; do not bag recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, and paper
- ✓Plastic containers with a neck (bottles/jugs)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food waste or unsanitary items
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Light bulbs and aerosol cans
Yard Waste Bin
Collected weekly. Do not place meat, processed food, dirt, rocks, or animal waste in this bin. Doing so incurs a $10 contamination fee. If bagging, you must use BPI-certified compostable bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Plant and garden trimmings
- ✓Inedible fruits and vegetables from gardens
- ✓Non-treated wood and branches (under 4 inches thick)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
No free regular curbside bulk pickup; dumpsters available for rent.
Placement
For Drop Box (dumpster) rentals, residents must submit a Rental Agreement and Coordination Form to schedule delivery and pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Large furniture (at landfill or in rented drop box)
- ✓ Mattresses (at landfill)
- ✓ Yard waste and clean wood (at landfill)
Not Accepted
- ✕ E-waste and televisions
- ✕ High-intensity light bulbs
- ✕ Hazardous household chemicals
- ✕ Tires (restrictions apply)
Self-hauling to the Horn Rapids Landfill incurs standard per-ton tipping fees. Renting a 30-yard drop box requires a delivery fee, daily rental fees, and disposal weight fees. Call 509-942-7700 for exact pricing.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on Christmas Day, your garbage and yard waste will be picked up the following day. All remaining collections that week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same one-day delay as standard garbage.
Richland has one of the strictest holiday schedules in the state. Collection crews work Monday through Friday, year-round, on all other holidays including Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, and the 4th of July.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryDuring the freezing winter months, yard waste may not be collected if debris is frozen inside the container, which risks breaking the cart during dumping. Additionally, if neighborhood yard waste set-out rates drop below 20%, yard waste may be collected simultaneously by the refuse truck.
Autumn
November to DecemberDuring the official Fall Cleanup period, the City provides free collection of excess yard waste. Residents must place the extra leaves and clippings in BPI-certified compostable bags next to their green cart.
Winter
DecemberStarting in October through the end of December, the City typically provides free compostable bags for Richland residents, which can be picked up at the Horn Rapids Landfill or City Hall to assist with fall yard cleanup.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Cans and Bottles into Cash in the Tri-Cities Area!
Did you know you can get a few bucks back for those aluminum cans and glass bottles you're recycling? While Richland itself might not have a specific buyback center right in town, the wider Tri-Cities area often has places that take them. Keep an eye out for local redemption centers or bottle drop-off locations that pop up in neighboring Kennewick or Pasco. Sometimes, even local community groups or non-profits host collection drives for these redeemable items, so it's always worth asking around at community events or checking local bulletin boards for opportunities to earn a little extra cash while being eco-friendly. It's a great way to make sure those empties don't just end up in the landfill!
Give Your Unwanted Stuff a Second Life in Richland
Before you toss something that's still in decent shape, think about giving it to someone who could use it! In Richland, there are a few spots that would love your gently used clothing, furniture, and household goods. Check out places like the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Kennewick; they're usually happy to accept donations. If you've got larger items or building materials, organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStore in the Tri-Cities area are fantastic options. Donating locally not only helps out neighbors in need but also keeps perfectly good items out of the landfill. It’s a win-win for everyone in our community!
Keeping Richland Beautiful: What to Do About JUNK?
Nobody likes seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be, right? If you happen to spot illegal dumping in or around Richland, the best thing to do is report it. You can usually get in touch with the City of Richland Public Works department or their code enforcement. They have systems in place to handle these situations and clean up affected areas. While Richland may not have frequent community cleanup days advertised, keeping an eye on local news or city announcements can clue you into any organized efforts. For special items like old paint or electronics, remember to look for specific collection events organized by the city or county; these are the safest ways to dispose of them without harming our environment.
Drop-off Facilities
Horn Rapids Landfill
3102 Twin Bridges Road, Richland, WA 99354
Materials Accepted
DTG Recycle (E-Cycle Washington Site)
1936 Saint St, Richland, WA 99354
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Richland pick up garbage on Thanksgiving or the 4th of July?
Yes! The City of Richland sanitation crews work Monday through Friday, year-round. The ONLY holiday that disrupts your collection schedule is Christmas Day. You must have your bins at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on all other holidays.
Why can't I put glass in my blue recycling bin in Richland?
Glass is strictly banned from curbside recycling in Richland. When glass is collected in the automated trucks, it shatters and embeds into the paper and cardboard, ruining those materials for recycling and damaging the sorting facility's machinery.
How do I throw away an old couch or mattress in Richland?
Richland does not offer a free curbside bulk pickup service. To dispose of large items like couches or mattresses, you must haul them yourself to the Horn Rapids Landfill and pay the gate fee, or you can rent a 30-yard Drop Box (dumpster) from the city for a fee.
Can I put food scraps in my green yard waste cart?
No. The green yard waste cart in Richland is for vegetative garden debris, grass, and leaves only. Putting meat, dairy, or processed human food in the green cart is considered contamination and will result in a $10 fee on your utility bill.