Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Tumwater
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.
Gray or Black Bin (Trash)
Place all disposal carts within 3-5 feet of the curb by 6:00 a.m. Ensure the cart lid is closed completely to avoid an overfill fee, and maintain a 3-foot clearance around the bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
- ✓Styrofoam packing blocks and peanuts
- ✓Noxious weeds like blackberry bushes (bagged)
- ✓Pet waste and diapers (double-bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be completely empty, clean, and dry. Place all items loosely inside the blue cart without using any plastic bags. Glass must go in your personal 5-20 gallon tub.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind (must use separate bin)
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers like cords and hoses
Yard Waste Bin
Optional subscription service. Do not use plastic bags. Dirt, rocks, conventional plastics, and noxious weeds are strictly prohibited from the organics cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, napkins)
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Untreated lumber scraps (nails are okay)
- ✓Weeds and plant trimmings (non-noxious)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-call basis; scheduling and fees apply.
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb without scheduling an appointment. Set items out by 6:00 a.m. on your assigned pickup day, ensuring they do not block your standard automated carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Water heaters and washers
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large bagged or boxed items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and liquid chemicals
- ✕ Loose construction debris
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Lithium-ion batteries
Fees vary based on the item's size, weight, and disposal requirements. Call LeMay Pacific Disposal at 360-923-0111 to request a quote and schedule service.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
LeMay Pacific Disposal only delays service for Christmas Day and New Year's Day. If your scheduled collection falls on or after these two holidays, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your standard garbage service.
Remarkably, LeMay operates on a COMPLETELY NORMAL collection schedule for Thanksgiving Day, Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day. Do not delay putting your bins out for these holidays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Use Your Own Glass Bin
Never put glass inside the blue cart. You must provide your own 5-20 gallon rigid plastic tub, drill holes in the bottom for rain drainage, and use it exclusively for glass bottles and jars on collection day.
Ditch the 'Compostable' Plastics
Composting facilities have a zero-tolerance policy for plastics, including cups, cutlery, and containers explicitly labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable.' Keep them out of the green cart and throw them in the trash.
Bag Your Blackberries
Noxious weeds like invasive blackberry bushes and knotweed are strictly banned from the yard waste cart because their resilient seeds survive the commercial composting process. You must bag them and put them in the regular garbage.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryIf severe Pacific Northwest winter weather, such as snow or icy roads, causes LeMay to delay service, leave your carts out [3.1.1]. Pickups missed due to inclement weather will be collected on your next scheduled day, and you may place out the equivalent of one week's service in 32-gallon bags at no extra charge.
Post-Holiday
JanuaryLeMay yard waste customers can place undecorated, natural Christmas trees out for collection. Trees must be cut into 3-foot sections or smaller and placed near the compost cart on your regular service day.
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring heavy leaf-drop season, ensure your cart lid is completely closed to avoid overfill fees. If you have extra leaves, place them in 32-gallon bags next to your cart; a per-bag fee will be assessed by LeMay.
About Tumwater Waste Management
Tumwater's Partnership with LeMay
In the City of Tumwater, residential solid waste collection is not managed by a localized municipal utility [2.1.1]. Instead, the city relies on a franchised private hauler, LeMay Pacific Disposal (a subsidiary of Waste Connections), to handle all curbside garbage, recycling, and yard waste services. Residents are responsible for setting up their own accounts, managing billing, and requesting cart repairs directly through the hauler's regional portal.
The BYO Glass Bin Policy
Thurston County enforces a strict separation protocol for glass to maintain high-quality recycling streams. Tumwater residents must never place glass bottles or jars into their primary blue recycling cart. Instead, you are required to provide your own durable, rigid plastic container (between 5 and 20 gallons in size) with drainage holes drilled into the bottom to prevent rain from accumulating. Place your clean glass in this separate tub on collection day.
Robust Food Scraps Composting
In alignment with Washington State's robust landfill diversion targets, LeMay offers an optional yard and food waste subscription service. The green organics cart accepts more than just grass clippings and leaves; you can toss in household food scraps including meat, dairy, bones, and food-soiled paper products like greasy pizza boxes. Diverting these materials reduces methane production in local landfills.
Strict Ban on Noxious Weeds
While the green organics cart is great for standard yard debris, it explicitly prohibits noxious weeds. Invasive species common to the Pacific Northwest—such as blackberry bushes, giant hogweed, garlic mustard, and knotweed—can easily survive the commercial composting process and spread to other areas. These weeds must be securely bagged and thrown into your standard garbage cart.
Access to the WARC and HazoHouse
Tumwater residents have convenient access to the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center (WARC) in neighboring Lacey. This massive transfer station handles everyday residential yard waste drop-offs, bulky items, and features the HazoHouse—a dedicated facility where county residents can safely dispose of household hazardous chemicals, paints, and old electronics that are banned from curbside carts.
Drop-off Facilities
Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center (WARC)
2420 Hogum Bay Rd NE, Lacey, WA 98516
Materials Accepted
Goodwill Tumwater (E-Cycle Washington Site)
5401 Capitol Blvd SE, Tumwater, WA 98501
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who handles garbage collection for the City of Tumwater?
The City of Tumwater does not collect residential trash [2.1.1]. Curbside solid waste, recycling, and yard waste services are provided by a franchised private hauler, LeMay Pacific Disposal (a Waste Connections company). You must set up and manage your account directly with them.
How do I recycle glass in Tumwater?
Glass is strictly banned from the blue recycling cart. Tumwater residents must provide their own durable, rigid plastic container (between 5 and 20 gallons) with drainage holes drilled in the bottom. Place your clean glass in this separate bin at the curb on collection day.
Can I compost blackberry bushes in my yard waste cart?
No. Noxious and invasive weeds like blackberry bushes, knotweed, and garlic mustard are strictly prohibited from the green organics cart because they can survive the commercial composting process. You must bag them and throw them in the regular garbage.
Will my trash pickup be delayed on Thanksgiving?
Surprisingly, no! LeMay Pacific Disposal in Thurston County works a completely normal schedule on Thanksgiving Day, Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day. The only two holidays that cause a collection delay are Christmas Day and New Year's Day.