Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Sammamish
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 or Black Bin (Trash)
Place your garbage cart at the curb by 7:00 a.m. Ensure the lid is completely closed, and keep the cart clear of vehicles and other bins. All pet waste and shredded paper must be securely bagged.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Double-bagged pet waste
- ✓Bagged shredded paper
- ✓Styrofoam packing (bagged)
- ✓Window glass and mirrors (bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be Empty, Clean, and Dry. Place items loosely in the blue cart without bagging. Remove all lids and caps from glass bottles and discard them in the garbage.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Dry paper larger than a business card
- ✓Empty plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans (lids pushed in)
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Block Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Hardback books and metallic paper
- ✕Paper towels and tissue
Yard Waste Bin
Dirt, rocks, sod, and pet waste are strictly prohibited. Extra yard waste must be in paper bags, boxes, or labeled extra cans. No food scraps are allowed outside the provided cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Food scraps and kitchen waste
- ✓Untreated wood (small amounts)
- ✓Plant and garden trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-call basis; scheduling and fees apply.
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb without scheduling. Set approved items out by 7:00 a.m. on your designated pickup day, ensuring they do not block standard automated waste carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Sofas and large furniture
- ✓ Household appliances
- ✓ Large boxed debris
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and liquid chemicals
- ✕ Car batteries
- ✕ Tree stumps and large trunks
- ✕ Dirt, rocks, and concrete
Fees vary depending on the size and type of the item. Contact Republic Services at 206-777-6441 or WM (if in an annexed zone) to request a quote and schedule service.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your collection day falls on or after an observed holiday during the week, your pickup day will shift to the next day (e.g., Thursday collection moves to Friday, Friday moves to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage.
These three are the only holidays that affect service in Sammamish. Collections occur completely normally on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Remove Lids from Glass Jars
When placing glass bottles and jars into your blue recycling cart, you must remove all lids and caps first. Discard the lids in your gray garbage cart, and ensure the glass is completely rinsed and dry to prevent contaminating paper bales.
No Small Paper or Hardbacks
Paper smaller than a standard business card will jam up the processing equipment at the local sorting facility. Additionally, hardback books, metallic paper, and tissue are prohibited from the recycling cart and should be placed in the garbage.
Bag Your Styrofoam and Shredded Paper
Styrofoam blocks and packing peanuts cannot be recycled curbside and must be bagged and thrown in the trash. Likewise, shredded paper must be securely bagged and placed in the garbage, not the recycling cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryIf severe Pacific Northwest winter weather, such as snow or ice, causes a delay in your collection, leave your carts at the curb. Republic Services will notify you via their service alerts page regarding rescheduled pickup days.
Spring/Summer
March to AugustDuring peak yard work seasons, remember that you can put out extra yard waste next to your cart if it is placed in kraft paper bags or cardboard boxes. However, absolutely no food scraps are permitted outside of the main provided organics cart.
Post-Holiday
JanuaryRepublic Services typically collects unflocked and undecorated Christmas trees following the holidays. Cut natural trees into manageable sections and place them next to or inside your organics cart for composting.
About Sammamish Waste Management
Navigating Sammamish's Dual-Hauler System
The City of Sammamish utilizes two different waste providers depending on your neighborhood's specific annexation history [1.2.2]. While Republic Services acts as the primary solid waste hauler for the vast majority of the city—including the Klahanie neighborhood, which is regulated directly by the city—certain annexed areas are serviced by Waste Management (WM). Always verify your specific provider to ensure you follow the correct billing and collection schedules.
Curbside Expanded Recycling Services
Republic Services offers Sammamish residents more than just standard recycling. With their Expanded Recycling program, you can request special curbside pickups for tricky household items. You can easily schedule the collection of fluorescent tubes, securely sealed motor oil in clear plastic jugs, and small electronics simply by calling customer service. This ensures hazardous materials stay out of the King County landfill and your standard automated carts.
Organics and Food Waste Composting
Sammamish strongly supports King County's organic diversion goals by providing a robust curbside organics program. Your yard waste cart can hold up to 96 gallons of compostable material each week, including grass clippings, leaves, small amounts of untreated wood, and all kitchen food scraps. If you have excess yard waste, you can place it in labeled kraft paper bags or cardboard boxes next to your cart, but food scraps must strictly remain inside the provided bin.
Access to King County Transfer Stations
For massive home clean-out projects or hazardous materials not eligible for curbside pickup, Sammamish residents have convenient access to King County regional facilities. The Factoria Transfer Station and its dedicated Household Hazardous Waste Facility in neighboring Bellevue are open to residents for dropping off bulky furniture, major appliances, and dangerous household chemicals like pesticides and solvents.
Drop-off Facilities
King County Factoria Transfer Station
13800 SE 32nd St, Bellevue, WA 98005
Materials Accepted
Factoria Household Hazardous Waste Facility
13800 SE 32nd St, Bellevue, WA 98005
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Sammamish provide garbage collection directly?
No. The City of Sammamish does not operate its own garbage trucks. Curbside waste collection is primarily provided by the franchised private hauler Republic Services, though certain annexed neighborhoods are serviced by Waste Management (WM).
How do I recycle fluorescent tubes and motor oil in Sammamish?
Republic Services offers a special curbside Expanded Recycling program for these tricky items. You can email or call customer service at 206-777-6441 to schedule a special pickup for up to two fluorescent tubes (under 4 feet) or up to 3 gallons of securely sealed motor oil placed in a clear plastic jug.
Can I put dirt and rocks in my yard waste cart?
No. Dirt, rocks, sod, concrete, and large tree trunks are strictly prohibited from the curbside organics program. These heavy items break the automated trucks and severely damage the commercial composting machinery.
What holidays will delay my garbage pickup in Sammamish?
Republic Services only delays collection for three major holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If your normal pickup falls on or after these holidays, your service is pushed back by one day for the remainder of the week. Service runs normally on summer holidays like the 4th of July.