Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Tukwila
Trash Day
Trash is collected weekly, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected every other week on your regular garbage collection day.
Yard Waste
Food and yard waste is collected every other week on your regular garbage collection day for subscribed residents.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside collection is provided by Recology King County, and Tukwila residents can also schedule one free bulky item pickup per calendar year.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In Person, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
The City of Tukwila offers a 50% solid waste collection discount for qualifying low-income senior residents (age 62+) and permanently disabled individuals.
Grey Cart Bin (Trash)
Place your grey garbage cart at the curb by 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day. Ensure the lid is fully closed and keep the bin at least three feet away from other carts, vehicles, and mailboxes.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Broken glass (wrapped)
- ✓Pet waste (bagged)
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be completely empty, clean, and placed loose in the blue cart. Never bag your recycling in plastic garbage bags, as they wrap around and severely damage sorting machinery.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper and cardboard
- ✓Rinsed plastic bottles and tubs
- ✓Empty metal cans
- ✓Scrap metal (small items under 2 feet)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, chains)
Yard Waste Bin
Place organic materials directly into the green cart. Absolutely no standard plastic bags or glass are allowed. Extra yard waste can be placed in compostable kraft paper bags beside the bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Branches (under 4 inches in diameter)
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones)
- ✓Food-soiled paper products (pizza boxes)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One free scheduled pickup per year
Placement
Items must be placed at the curb by 7:00 AM on the pre-approved, scheduled collection day. Ensure bulk items are kept clear of regular carts and do not block the sidewalk.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and sofas
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large wooden furniture
- ✓ Up to 2 cubic yards of bagged garbage
Not Accepted
- ✕ Refrigerators and freezers
- ✕ Hazardous waste and wet paint
- ✕ Heavy construction debris
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
The first annual pickup is free. Additional bulky item collections, or items exceeding the size limitations (such as major appliances), will incur standard out-of-pocket charges.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled pickup day falls on or after an observed holiday, your collection will be shifted back by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday collections move to Friday). Normal service resumes the following week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and yard waste collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage and recycling.
Recology collects on all other holidays, including Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Independence Day. Ensure your carts are curbside by 7:00 AM on these days.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryIce and snow can stall collection trucks. If Recology is forced to suspend service for more than a week due to hazardous weather, Tukwila implements temporary garbage drop-off sites. Keep your cart lids free of heavy snow.
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring heavy leaf drop season, avoid sweeping yard debris into Tukwila's storm drains to prevent flooding. Place all fallen leaves in your green cart. If full, utilize biodegradable kraft bags placed next to your cart.
Summer
July to AugustSummer is prime time for garage cleanouts. Take advantage of your free annual curbside bulky item pickup by calling Recology to schedule the collection of excess household clutter without an extra trip to the transfer station.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Cans & Bottles into Cold, Hard Cash Around Tukwila!
Did you know you can actually get money back for some of your recycling? Washington State has a program where you can return most beverage containers to participating stores for a refund. Keep an eye out for the '05' recycle symbol on cans and bottles – many grocery stores, like the Safeway or Fred Meyer locations not too far from Tukwila, have redemption machines or customer service desks that can take them. For other metal items like old appliances or scrap metal, check out local yards. A quick search for "scrap metal recycling near Tukwila" will point you toward places that might pay by weight for those bigger items you're getting rid of.
Give Your Unwanted Stuff a Second Life in Tukwila & Beyond!
Before you toss anything that still has some good left in it, think about donating! There are several great spots around the Tukwila area that would love to have your gently used clothing, furniture, or household goods. Goodwill has multiple locations nearby, and the Southcenter area often has a variety of thrift stores. If you've got larger furniture or building materials, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Seattle is usually a fantastic place to check out – they help fund local housing projects and are always looking for donations.
Keeping Our Tukwila Neighborhoods Clean: What to Do About Dumping
Most of us want to keep Tukwila looking its best, and that includes dealing with trash the right way. If you stumble upon illegally dumped items, don't just ignore it! For King County, you can often report illegal dumping through their website or by calling their solid waste division. They have specific procedures for how to handle it, and reporting helps them clean it up and potentially catch those responsible. Also, keep an eye out for community clean-up events – sometimes local organizations or even the city will host these, giving everyone a chance to pitch in and make a difference right here in Tukwila.
Drop-off Facilities
Bow Lake Recycling & Transfer Station
18800 Orillia Rd S, Tukwila, WA 98188
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage and recycling services in Tukwila?
Recology is the official solid waste hauler for the City of Tukwila, managing all residential and commercial garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste collections.
Does the City of Tukwila offer any discounts for garbage service?
Yes, Tukwila provides a 50% discount on solid waste bills for qualifying low-income residents who are 62 years of age or older, or disabled. Applications are processed online or in person through the Tukwila Public Works Department.
How can I dispose of large furniture or extra trash for free in Tukwila?
Recology offers Tukwila residents one complimentary scheduled bulky item collection per year. This pickup includes up to four non-appliance items (such as a mattress or desk) and up to two cubic yards of extra, securely bagged garbage.
What happens to trash pickup if snow stops the garbage trucks?
If icy roads or heavy snow prevent Recology from safely servicing Tukwila neighborhoods for an extended period (more than a week), the city and hauler will establish temporary emergency drop-off sites where residents can bring their household garbage.