Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Spokane Valley
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.
Brown or Gray Bin (Trash)
All household garbage should be bagged and placed inside the cart with the lid completely closed. Bins must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. with the handles facing your home and at least three feet of clearance.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene)
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Broken ceramics and glass
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Chip bags and candy wrappers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Keep recyclables loose, clean, and dry. Do not use plastic garbage bags. All corrugated cardboard must be flattened to maximize space in the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (#1, #2, #4, #5)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film wrappers
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords, wires)
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Clean Green (yard and food waste) is offered as an optional curbside subscription or can be self-hauled. Never use plastic bags, and ensure no dirt, large rocks, or treated wood are mixed in.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves, grass clippings, and weeds
- ✓Branches (under 4 feet in length)
- ✓Kitchen food scraps
- ✓Food-soiled paper and greasy pizza boxes
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand by appointment or via self-haul
Placement
Scheduled curbside pickups must be placed at the regular collection point (curb or alley) by 6:00 a.m. on the confirmed day, keeping them completely clear of vehicles, mailboxes, and standard bins.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and large furniture
- ✓ Household appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers)
- ✓ Tires (limit 5 per visit if dropping off at transfer station)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Large liquid paint loads
- ✕ Commercial hazardous waste
- ✕ Large explosive materials
- ✕ Unsecured loads
Curbside pickups require an extra fee paid directly to WM. Self-hauling to the transfer station charges a minimum $24.93 fee for standard garbage loads up to 320 lbs, plus an additional transaction fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your normal collection day falls on or after an observed holiday during the work week, your service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday pickup moves to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste pickups follow the exact same one-day holiday delay schedule as regular garbage and recycling.
If an observed holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, residential collection schedules are not impacted and will proceed normally.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
Plastic garbage bags jam the automated sorting machinery at WM's local materials recovery facility. Always toss your recyclables completely loose directly into your blue bin, and take soft film plastics back to grocery store drop-offs.
Clean and Dry is Key
A single half-full soda bottle or unrinsed baked bean can can contaminate an entire truckload of clean paper and cardboard. Take a moment to thoroughly rinse and dry all containers before placing them in your recycling cart.
Keep Tanglers Out of the Blue Cart
Garden hoses, holiday light strings, ropes, and extension cords are known as 'tanglers' and cause dangerous, expensive shutdowns at recycling centers. Always put these problematic items in your standard brown or gray trash bin.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - FebruaryIf heavy snow or ice cancels your regular WM collection route, you are permitted to put out double the amount of garbage at no extra cost on your next regularly scheduled service day.
Fall
October - NovemberDuring the peak leaf-drop season in the Inland Northwest, keep street storm drains clear to prevent localized flooding. Bag excess leaves in paper yard sacks for a Clean Green drop-off rather than sweeping them into the street.
Spring
March - MaySpring cleaning often uncovers old oil-based paints, pesticides, and pool chemicals. These items cannot go in your curbside bins; take them directly to the University Transfer Station for free, safe household hazardous waste disposal.
About Spokane Valley Waste Management
Curbside Collection with Waste Management
The City of Spokane Valley contracts directly with Waste Management (WM) to provide dependable residential curbside garbage and optional single-stream recycling collection. Residents living within the city limits are highly encouraged to enroll in recycling services to help divert reusable materials from regional landfills. Current schedules, severe weather alerts, and cart sizes can be managed directly through the WM website or their local customer service line.
Free Recycling at the University Transfer Station
For residents who prefer self-hauling or find themselves with bulky recyclables that will not fit in their blue curbside carts, Sunshine Disposal & Recycling operates the Spokane Valley University Transfer Station. Located conveniently on North University Road, this facility offers free drop-offs for clean, sorted recyclables, including corrugated cardboard, mixed paper, and empty household plastics.
Mandatory Covered Loads for Self-Haulers
Whether you are dropping off excess Clean Green yard waste or taking a truckload of household garbage to the transfer station, Washington state law dictates that all loads must be fully secured. Make sure to use durable tarps, tie-downs, or cargo nets, as unsecured loads that pose a litter hazard or safety risk on local roads will incur a mandatory additional fee at the scale house.
Clean Green Food and Yard Waste Composting
To support Spokane County's zero-waste initiatives, you can take advantage of the Clean Green yard waste drop-off programs at local transfer stations. Acceptable organic materials range from standard grass clippings and leaves to food-soiled pizza boxes and kitchen scraps. Remember, you must strictly separate your Clean Green waste from standard household garbage before entering the scale house to qualify for the lower composting rate.
Severe Winter Weather Recovery Policy
Given the harsh Inland Northwest winter storms, Spokane Valley occasionally experiences severe ice and snow that makes neighborhood roads too dangerous for WM collection trucks. If road conditions force a route cancellation, do not worry—WM allows residents to place up to double the normal amount of waste at the curb on their next regularly scheduled service day at no additional charge.
Drop-off Facilities
Spokane Valley University Transfer Station
2405 N University Rd, Spokane Valley, WA 99206
Materials Accepted
Spokane Waste to Energy (WTE) Facility
2900 S Geiger Blvd, Spokane, WA 99224
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who handles residential garbage collection in Spokane Valley?
The City of Spokane Valley contracts with Waste Management (WM) for residential curbside garbage and recycling services. However, the nearby transfer station on University Road is operated by Sunshine Disposal & Recycling.
Where can I drop off extra recycling or household hazardous waste for free?
Clean, sorted recyclables and household hazardous waste (like old paint, motor oil, and batteries) can be dropped off for free at the Spokane Valley University Transfer Station located on North University Road.
What happens to my garbage pickup if a snowstorm cancels service?
If WM cancels collection service due to severe winter weather or icy roads in the Inland Northwest, you are allowed to set out up to twice your normal amount of waste on your next regularly scheduled pickup day at no additional charge.
Does my trash get delayed for Memorial Day or the 4th of July?
Yes, WM in Spokane Valley observes Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If your normal collection day falls on or after one of these holidays during the week, your pickup will be delayed by one day.