Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Shoreline
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.
Grey/Black Bin (Trash)
All garbage should be bagged to prevent litter and placed in the cart so the lid completely closes. Keep carts 3 feet away from cars, trees, and other bins.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Diapers and pet waste (bagged)
- ✓Styrofoam packing peanuts (bagged)
- ✓Food wrappers and heavily soiled items
- ✓Broken ceramics or glass (securely wrapped)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected every other week. Place items loosely inside the blue cart. Never bag your recyclables, and ensure containers are clean and dry.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Paper, mail, and newspaper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (empty)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (no lids)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Block Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste or liquid
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
Yard Waste Bin
Collected weekly for single-family homes. Do not use plastic bags; use only BPI-certified compostable bags or paper bags for food scraps if needed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps and leftovers
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Weeds and plant trimmings
- ✓Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
- ✓Small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-call basis; scheduling and fees apply.
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb without an appointment. Once scheduled, place the items in an accessible location near your carts by 7:00 a.m. on your assigned pickup day.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and bulky furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Refrigerators and large appliances
- ✓ Large pieces of scrap metal
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and liquid chemicals
- ✕ Commercial construction debris
- ✕ Explosives or ammunition
- ✕ Tires
Call Recology at 206-763-4444 or submit an online request to receive a quote and schedule your on-call bulky item pickup.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after one of these three observed holidays, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Compost and recycling collections follow the exact same holiday shift as standard garbage service.
Recology King County operates on all other holidays. If a holiday like Memorial Day, the 4th of July, or Labor Day falls on a weekday, your collection will happen on your normal scheduled day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Film Out of the Blue Bin
Flimsy plastic like grocery bags, bubble wrap, and bread bags wrap around the spinning gears at the local sorting facility. These items must be thrown in the garbage or returned to a grocery store drop-off bin.
Bag Your Special Items
When utilizing the curbside special item pickup for things like batteries or textiles, never throw them loosely into your recycling cart. They must be sealed in a clear plastic bag and placed properly on top of or next to the cart depending on the item.
No Lids on Glass and Plastic
Before tossing your plastic tubs and glass jars into the recycling cart, take off the lids. Small plastic caps and metal lids fall through the cracks of the sorting machinery and contaminate other recycling streams.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December, January, FebruaryIf heavy snow or ice causes Recology to miss your collection, leave your carts at the curb. If they cannot return safely that week, they will pick up your regular waste plus the missed volume on your next regular service day at no extra charge.
Winter/Holiday
December to JanuaryRecology offers specialized holiday tree collection after Christmas. Ensure all ornaments, tinsel, and stands are completely removed, and cut the tree into manageable sections before placing it out with your compost.
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring peak leaf-drop season, extra yard waste must be placed in heavy-duty kraft paper yard bags or tied in small, natural-fiber bundles next to your green cart to ensure safe manual lifting by the drivers.
About Shoreline Waste Management
The Recology Store Shoreline Hub
Shoreline offers a unique environmental asset with its very own physical retail and drop-off location. Situated on Aurora Avenue North, the Recology Store allows residents to safely drop off hard-to-recycle household materials that don't belong in curbside bins. Customers can responsibly dispose of CFL light bulbs, textiles, hard-cover books, block Styrofoam, latex paint, and even old bicycles, while also browsing a curated selection of zero-waste products.
On-Call Curbside Special Item Recycling
You don't always have to drive to the store to recycle tricky items. Shoreline residents can request a specialized curbside pickup for items such as fluorescent tubes, empty propane canisters, used motor and cooking oil, small appliances, and household batteries. This service helps divert hazardous or bulky electronics from the King County landfill system and ensures they are properly disassembled and recycled.
Inclusive Weekly Compost Service
Under Shoreline's waste guidelines and the city's commitment to sustainability, weekly compost and yard waste collection is included at no additional cost for all single-family residential accounts. By placing food scraps, coffee grounds, and yard trimmings in the green cart, residents help produce nutrient-rich soil products used throughout the Pacific Northwest region.
Weather Delays and Missed Collections
During severe Pacific Northwest winter storms, safety comes first. If icy roads or heavy snow prevent the heavy Recology trucks from safely navigating your neighborhood, your service will be delayed. The trucks will return on your next regularly scheduled service day, and drivers will collect double your usual volume—the missed week plus the current week—at no extra charge.
King County Transfer Station Decal Policy
If you are self-hauling large loads to the nearby Shoreline Transfer Station, be aware that King County enforces a service area policy. Residents must show proof of address or display an official decal to verify they live within the authorized service area, which explicitly excludes residents of Seattle and Milton.
Drop-off Facilities
The Recology Store Shoreline
15235 Aurora Ave N, Suite 102, Shoreline, WA 98133
Materials Accepted
Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station
2300 N 165th St, Shoreline, WA 98133
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What items can I drop off at the Shoreline Recology Store?
The Recology Store in Shoreline acts as a convenient drop-off point for hard-to-recycle household goods. You can recycle items like block styrofoam, latex paint, old bicycles, hard-cover books, compact fluorescent bulbs, household batteries, and textiles. Recology residential customers can drop off limited quantities of these items, while non-customers may be subject to a minimal fee.
How do I schedule a special curbside pickup for electronics or batteries?
If you cannot make it to the physical store, Recology allows Shoreline residents to schedule a free special item pickup right at the curb. This covers items like motor oil, small appliances, and styrofoam. You must bag the items correctly and schedule the pickup in advance by calling 206-763-4444 or using the online portal.
Does my Shoreline service include yard waste collection?
Yes. For single-family residential customers in Shoreline, weekly compost and yard waste collection is included in your standard utility package at no extra cost. You can place food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings directly into your green cart.
What happens if snow stops the Recology trucks from picking up my trash?
Safety is the top priority during winter weather events. If extreme conditions make your street impassable, Recology will delay service. You should pull your carts back in and wait until your next regular service day. On that day, the drivers will collect the current week's waste plus whatever was missed the previous week at no additional charge.