Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Silver Firs
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 or Green Cart Bin (Trash)
Place carts three feet apart with wheels as close to the curb as possible by 6:00 AM. Carts must weigh less than 180 lbs, and lids must close completely. 32-gallon cans have a 65 lb limit.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Broken ceramics
- ✓Cold ashes (bagged)
- ✓Styrofoam
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be empty, clean, and loose. Do not bag recyclables. Extra recycling can be placed in a cardboard box labeled 'Recycle' next to the cart for an extra charge.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper bags
- ✓Cardboard boxes
- ✓Rinsed plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Clean metal cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Glass mixed with garbage
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Do not put plastic bags in the yard cart. Collect kitchen scraps in paper bags or reusable containers. Extra trimmings must be in Kraft paper bags, 32-gal cans labeled 'Yard', or bundles tied with sisal twine (max 4'x2').
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Branches
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand (by appointment only)
Placement
Place scheduled bulk items securely at the curb on the morning of your specifically arranged pickup day, keeping them at least three feet away from regular carts and mailboxes.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Large appliances (refrigerators, stoves)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Console televisions
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Chemicals
- ✕ Heavy construction and demolition debris
Extra charges apply for all bulky item pickups. Alternatively, residents can self-haul items to the Airport Road Transfer Station.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a designated holiday falls on or before your regular collection day, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday pickup moves to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard and food waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as trash and recycling.
WM collects on all other holidays, including Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day. Make sure your carts are out by 6:00 AM on those days.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep It Empty, Clean, and Loose
Always rinse out your plastic jugs, jars, and metal cans before tossing them in the blue cart. Most importantly, never bag your recyclables. Bagged recycling is treated as trash at the Snohomish County sorting facility.
Ban the Shredded Paper
Keep shredded documents completely out of your Silver Firs recycling cart. The tiny paper shreds slip through the gears and conveyor belts at the local material recovery facility, causing massive equipment jams.
Zero Plastic in Yard Waste
When clearing damp autumn leaves or disposing of kitchen compost, absolutely no plastic bags are permitted in the yard waste bin. Plastic cannot be broken down at commercial composting facilities and will ruin an entire batch of organic mulch.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruarySnowfall and icy roads can pause WM operations in Silver Firs. Ensure bins are not buried in snowbanks. If roads are impassable, check the WM Northwest service alert portal; blocked bins will be skipped until conditions improve.
Autumn
October to NovemberHeavy leaf dropping occurs during the PNW fall. If your yard cart is full, extra leaves and branches must be placed in compostable Kraft bags or tied with sisal twine (up to 4'x2') and placed next to the bin for a small extra fee.
Spring
March to MaySpring cleaning often results in excess refuse. Contact Waste Management in advance to schedule a special pickup for bulky items like mattresses or old appliances, rather than overstuffing your weekly curbside carts.
About Silver Firs Waste Management
Comprehensive Waste Services in Silver Firs
Residents of the Silver Firs community in unincorporated Snohomish County receive dedicated residential garbage, recycling, and organics services through Waste Management (WM Northwest). Collections are structured with weekly trash and yard waste pickups, while recycling is collected every other week. Ensuring your bins are out by 6:00 AM on your specific collection day keeps the neighborhood clean and routes running smoothly.
Food and Yard Waste Integration
A standout feature of the Snohomish County waste program is the integration of food scraps into the yard waste stream. Silver Firs households are encouraged to place all kitchen scraps, including meat, dairy, and food-soiled paper, directly into their WM Food/Yard cart. This initiative drastically reduces greenhouse gas emissions and transforms local organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.
Handling Extra Refuse and Bulky Items
Spring cleanouts and home renovations often leave Silver Firs residents with more trash than a standard cart can hold. While WM allows extra bagged garbage for an additional per-bag fee, bulky items like mattresses, old furniture, and broken appliances require scheduling a special pickup. Alternatively, residents can self-haul massive loads to the nearby Airport Road Recycling & Transfer Station in Everett.
Navigating Winter Weather Service Disruptions
The Pacific Northwest is no stranger to unpredictable winter weather. When snow and ice make the suburban hills and cul-de-sacs of Silver Firs hazardous for heavy collection trucks, WM may implement service delays. Missed pickups due to unsafe road conditions are typically rolled over to the following week, so it is crucial for residents to keep a path clear to their carts and monitor the WM Northwest service alerts page.
Drop-off Facilities
Airport Road Recycling & Transfer Station (ARTS)
10700 Minuteman Drive, Everett, WA 98204
Materials Accepted
Snohomish County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
3434 McDougall Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage collection service in Silver Firs?
Waste Management (WM Northwest) is the contracted solid waste hauler for unincorporated Snohomish County areas, which includes the Silver Firs community.
Can I put kitchen food waste in my yard waste bin in Snohomish County?
Yes, Snohomish County's WM program allows all food scraps (including meat, bones, and dairy) and food-soiled paper products to be placed in your green yard waste cart. Do not use any plastic bags.
What do I do if I have extra garbage that won't fit in my cart?
You can place extra garbage in standard 32-gallon bags or cans next to your cart. However, you will be charged an additional fee on your next bill for every extra bag or container.
How do I safely dispose of hazardous household materials?
Household hazardous waste like paint, chemicals, and batteries are strictly prohibited in your curbside bins. They must be transported to the Snohomish County Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 3434 McDougall Avenue in Everett.