Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Tacoma
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 Bin (Trash)
All regular garbage must be bagged and tied before going into the green container. Bins must be set out by 7:00 a.m. with the lid resting flat.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam packing peanuts and blocks
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Broken ceramics and glass
- ✓Greasy or heavily soiled packaging
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be completely empty, clean, and dry. Do not place items in plastic bags; put them loosely in the blue bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Yard and food waste must be placed loosely in the brown bin without plastic bags. The lid must close flat. Do not include large rocks, dirt, or treated lumber.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves, grass clippings, and weeds
- ✓Branches and plant trimmings
- ✓Fruit and vegetable scraps
- ✓Uncoated food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Twice per year free of charge
Placement
Items must be placed at the pre-approved curbside location by 7:00 a.m. Ensure there are no overhead powerlines or vehicles blocking access to the pile.
Accepted
- ✓ Up to 3 large items (appliances, mattresses, furniture)
- ✓ Up to 15 boxes or bags of small household junk
- ✓ Bicycles and power yard equipment (no fluids)
- ✓ Carpet rolls
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household garbage or recycling
- ✕ Hazardous waste or liquid paints
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Vehicle parts and tires
The first two pickups are free. Commercial or multi-family tenants can also schedule a pickup for a nominal fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your garbage pickup day falls on or after an observed holiday during the week, collection will be shifted one day later for the remainder of that holiday week.
Yard Waste Exception
Food and yard waste collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as garbage and recycling.
Tacoma Solid Waste Management does not delay service for Memorial Day or Labor Day. For these non-observed holidays, place your bins out on your normal collection day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
Plastic garbage and grocery bags jam the sorting machinery at the local recycling facility. Always toss your recyclables loosely directly into your blue bin, and take soft film plastics back to grocery store drop-offs.
Empty, Clean, and Dry
A single half-full soda bottle can ruin a whole batch of clean paper. Please take a moment to thoroughly rinse and air-dry all your plastic, glass, and metal containers before tossing them in the recycling cart.
Keep Glass Out of the Main Mix If Unsure
While Tacoma accepts glass in the blue bin, make sure it is only clean bottles and jars. Broken window panes, mirrors, or drinking glasses have different melting points and will ruin standard glass recycling batches.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - FebruaryWinter storms and icy roads can delay collections. If your street is impassable, pull your bins back in. You can place extra garbage out on your next scheduled service day without a fee.
Fall
October - NovemberKeep Tacoma's storm drains clear of falling leaves to prevent neighborhood flooding. Place all yard debris into your brown food and yard waste bin rather than sweeping it into the street.
Spring
March - MaySpring cleaning often turns up old chemicals and paints. Do not throw these in your curbside trash; instead, bring them to the Tacoma Household Hazardous Waste Facility on South Mullen Street.
About Tacoma Waste Management
Every-Other-Week Municipal Collection
Tacoma utilizes an alternating every-other-week collection schedule for its residential customers to reduce costs and environmental impact. During 'Week A', the city collects garbage and mixed recycling, while 'Week B' is dedicated entirely to food and yard waste. Residents must place their bins out by 7 a.m., ensuring the lids are completely flat and closed.
The Innovative Call-2-Haul Program
A standout feature of Tacoma's waste management system is the Call-2-Haul program. Single-family residential customers receive up to two free bulky item pickups per year directly at their curb, or they can choose to self-haul items to the Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center. Residents can dispose of up to 3 large items like appliances or mattresses, alongside 15 small boxes of household junk per appointment.
Comprehensive Yard and Food Waste Service
Food and yard waste service is included automatically in every Tacoma residential garbage bill. Residents receive a brown 90-gallon bin to safely compost everyday plant trimmings alongside kitchen organics like fruit peels, vegetable scraps, and uncoated food-soiled paper. The city asks residents not to bag these organics, though storing kitchen scraps in the freezer before collection can help reduce odors.
Securing Your Load at the Transfer Center
When making a self-haul trip to the Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center on South Mullen Street, state and local regulations require all materials to be fully secured with tarps, tie-downs, or nets. Arriving with an uncovered or unsecured load not only risks creating dangerous litter on local roads, but it will also result in additional mandatory fees at the weigh station.
Proper Battery and Hazardous Waste Disposal
Lithium-ion batteries have caused severe fires inside Tacoma collection trucks and processing facilities. It is strictly forbidden to put any household batteries, wet paint, or chemicals in your curbside bins. Thankfully, Tacoma residents can drop off these dangerous materials for free at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, open Friday through Monday.
Drop-off Facilities
Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center
3510 S Mullen St, Tacoma, WA 98409
Materials Accepted
Tacoma Household Hazardous Waste Facility
3510 S Mullen St, Tacoma, WA 98409
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of an old mattress or refrigerator in Tacoma?
Tacoma residential customers can use the free Call-2-Haul program. You are allowed up to two free bulky item pickups per year. Call (253) 573-2468 to schedule an appointment for curbside pickup or a free self-haul pass.
Can I put food waste in my yard bin in Tacoma?
Yes. The brown food and yard waste bin accepts kitchen scraps, including fruits, vegetables, and uncoated food-soiled paper. Remember not to use plastic bags for your organics.
Does Tacoma pick up trash on Memorial Day or Labor Day?
Yes. Tacoma Solid Waste Management only observes New Year's Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. On all other holidays, including Memorial Day and Labor Day, your trash is picked up on its normal schedule.
Where can I drop off hazardous waste like old paint in Tacoma?
You can safely dispose of hazardous chemicals, paints, and batteries at the Tacoma Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 3510 S Mullen St. The facility is open Friday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.