Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for South Hill
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.
Green or Grey/Black Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged to prevent litter and placed in the cart so the lid completely closes. Keep carts 3 feet away from cars and other bins.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Diapers and pet waste (bagged)
- ✓Broken glass (safely wrapped in newspaper)
- ✓Styrofoam and packing peanuts
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be clean, dry, and placed loosely in the blue cart. Never bag your recyclables, and do not include any glass containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Paper, mail, and newspaper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (empty)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Block Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste or liquid
- ✕Batteries and electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags. Place yard debris and food waste directly into the cart or use BPI-certified compostable bags for sticky food scraps if needed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps and leftovers
- ✓Meat, dairy, and bones
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Weeds and plant trimmings
- ✓Small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-call basis; scheduling and fees apply.
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb without scheduling first. Items must be set out on the designated date and kept clear of your standard carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and bulky furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major appliances
- ✓ Large boxed debris
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and liquid chemicals
- ✕ Explosives or ammunition
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Commercial construction debris
Call Murrey's Disposal at 253-414-0345 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 an observed holiday, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling follow the exact same holiday shift as standard garbage service.
Murrey's Disposal operates normally on all other holidays, including Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Glass Out of the Blue Cart
Glass is strictly prohibited in Pierce County's curbside recycling program. When thrown in the blue cart, glass shatters and embeds into recyclable paper. Take all your glass jars and bottles to a free county drop-off site like the Hidden Valley Recycling Center.
Beware of Battery Fires
Never throw alkaline or lithium-ion batteries into any of your Murrey's Disposal carts. They are a leading cause of collection truck and landfill fires. Take them to the household hazardous waste drop-off at the transfer station.
Don't Bag Recyclables
Flimsy plastic bags jam the spinning gears at the local recycling sorting facility. Place your cardboard, cans, and rigid plastics loosely in the bin, and return your plastic grocery bags to a local supermarket drop-off.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryDuring severe Pacific Northwest winter storms, icy roads on South Hill's steep residential streets may prevent collection. Murrey's Disposal will alert customers of delays via their app and will collect double the volume once roads are safe.
Fall
October to NovemberDuring the rainy season, ensure your cardboard is placed completely inside the blue bin with the lid fully shut. Wet cardboard loses its structural integrity and often cannot be recycled at the plant.
Post-Holiday
JanuaryMurrey's Disposal typically offers special collection guidelines for Christmas trees. Real trees can be chopped down to fit inside the yard waste cart (with all tinsel removed), while artificial trees must be treated as bulk waste.
About South Hill Waste Management
Unincorporated Pierce County Service Structure
Because South Hill is an unincorporated census-designated place, residential waste management falls under the jurisdiction of Pierce County rather than a local city government. The county franchises these collection services to Murrey's Disposal, a local branch of Waste Connections. Residents can easily manage their weekly services, pay bills, and track weather delays directly through the official Murrey's Disposal mobile app.
Strict Curbside Glass Recycling Ban
A major quirk of the South Hill and wider Pierce County recycling program is the strict ban on curbside glass. Because broken glass contaminates paper bales and severely damages sorting machinery at the local recycling facility, you cannot place any glass bottles or jars in your blue cart. Instead, residents must self-haul clean glass to designated county drop-off locations or the nearby recycling center.
Aligning with Washington's Organics Mandate
In compliance with recent Washington State environmental laws aiming to divert organic waste from landfills, Murrey's Disposal offers a robust yard and food waste collection program for South Hill. The green organics cart is heavily promoted for disposing of food scraps—from meat and dairy to vegetables—alongside your standard lawn clippings, weeds, and small branches.
Hidden Valley Transfer Station Convenience
South Hill residents are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the LRI Hidden Valley Transfer Station, located right on Meridian East. This massive indoor facility operates seven days a week and accepts residential garbage, yard waste, and sorted recyclables. It also features a dedicated Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off area open on Tuesdays and Thursdays for dangerous items like old paint and chemicals.
Automated Collection Clearance Requirements
Murrey's Disposal utilizes automated side-loading trucks to navigate South Hill's residential neighborhoods. To ensure a successful pickup, residents must place all carts at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on their scheduled day. It is critical to maintain at least a three-foot clearance between bins, parked cars, and mailboxes so the mechanical truck arm can safely grasp and empty them without causing damage.
Drop-off Facilities
Hidden Valley Transfer Station (LRI)
17925 Meridian E, Puyallup, WA 98375
Materials Accepted
Prairie Ridge Drop Box Station
11710 Prairie Ridge Dr E, Bonney Lake, WA 98391
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put glass bottles in my recycling bin in South Hill?
No. Under Pierce County solid waste guidelines, glass is strictly prohibited in the curbside blue recycling carts. You must self-haul your clean glass jars and bottles to a designated glass drop-off location, such as the recycling center at the Hidden Valley Transfer Station.
How do I dispose of a mattress or old couch in South Hill?
Murrey's Disposal offers bulky item curbside collection on an on-call basis. You must contact their customer service team at 253-414-0345 to request a quote, pay the associated fee, and schedule a pickup date before placing any large furniture at the curb.
Does South Hill have a local transfer station for extra trash?
Yes. The LRI Hidden Valley Transfer Station is located directly in the South Hill area at 17925 Meridian E. It is open seven days a week and allows residents to drop off extra garbage, yard waste, and recyclables for a fee based on weight.
Where can I safely dispose of household batteries and old paint?
Household hazardous waste, including batteries, oil-based paint, and chemicals, should never go in your curbside bins. You can dispose of these items safely and for free at the Household Hazardous Waste drop-off site located inside the Hidden Valley Transfer Station, which operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.