Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Tukwila
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 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
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
The number one contaminant in Tukwila's recycling stream is plastic film. When you bag your recyclables, the bags tangle around the fast-moving gears at Recology's material recovery facility, forcing manual shutdowns. Always keep items loose.
Food Scraps Belong in the Green Cart
Do not throw your meat trimmings, dairy products, or coffee grounds into the regular garbage. Tukwila's robust organics program accepts all food waste and greasy paper in the yard waste cart, turning them into valuable compost for regional farms.
Styrofoam is Pure Garbage
While it may have a recycling symbol stamped on the bottom, expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) blocks and food containers cannot go in your curbside blue cart. Unless you take it to a specialized drop-off location, it belongs securely in your grey garbage bin.
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.
About Tukwila Waste Management
Recology Partnership in Tukwila
In late 2023, the City of Tukwila transitioned its solid waste services to Recology, offering expanded environmental benefits to residents and businesses. This modernized contract brought electric cart delivery vehicles to local neighborhoods and introduced complimentary food scrap composting services for multifamily properties, actively combatting greenhouse gas emissions across King County.
Valuable Solid Waste Collection Discounts
Tukwila prioritizes making essential utility services affordable for its vulnerable populations. The city provides a substantial 50% discount on solid waste bills for low-income seniors aged 62 and older, as well as qualified disabled residents. Eligible homeowners and renters can easily apply for this benefit directly through the Tukwila Public Works Department.
Free Annual Bulky Item Pickup
Getting rid of an old couch, mattress, or clearing out the garage is much easier for Tukwila residents thanks to a built-in residential perk. Every year, Recology customers can schedule one completely free collection of up to four non-appliance bulky items, along with two cubic yards of smaller bagged trash. This on-demand service significantly reduces illegal dumping and keeps local streets clean.
Handling Extended Winter Weather Delays
Pacific Northwest snowstorms and icy hillside roads can occasionally halt standard collection routes. Recology has a unique inclement weather protocol for Tukwila: if severe weather conditions delay curbside pickups for longer than a single week, the hauler establishes temporary community garbage drop-off sites so residents are not stuck hoarding household refuse.
Convenient Self-Haul at Bow Lake
For immediate disposal needs, Tukwila is home to the massive Bow Lake Recycling & Transfer Station. Operated by the King County Solid Waste Division, this expansive facility sits conveniently near Sea-Tac Airport. Its rare 24-hour availability from Monday through Thursday makes it highly accessible for early-morning contractors, shift workers, and weekend warriors alike.
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.