Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Tumwater
Trash Day
Trash collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood route, with standard residential service collected weekly.
Recycling
Recycling is collected every other week on your regular trash collection day.
Yard Waste
Curbside yard and food waste is collected every other week on your regular service day for enrolled subscribers.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside garbage and recycling are contracted through LeMay Pacific Disposal (Waste Connections) and billed directly, while water, sewer, and stormwater utilities are billed monthly by the City of Tumwater.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Curbside Drop-Box
Pro Tip / Discount
The City offers the Life-Line Program providing discounted utility rates for qualifying low-income seniors (62 and older) and low-income residents with disabilities, along with a Utility Hardship Assistance Program.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Cans into Cash Around Tumwater?
While Tumwater itself doesn't have a dedicated local buyback center, don't let that stop you from getting a little cash back for those cans and bottles! Washington State has a statewide program for redeeming eligible beverage containers. You can take your clean, empty bottles and cans to larger grocery stores or dedicated redemption centers in nearby Olympia or Lacey. Just make sure to check the Washington State Department of Ecology's website for the most up-to-date list of redemption centers in Thurston County. It's a great way to keep recyclables out of the landfill and put a little money back in your pocket.
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a New Home in Tumwater
Got items that are still good but you just don't need anymore? Instead of tossing them, consider donating them! In the Tumwater area, you've got some fantastic options. Goodwill of the Olympics is a popular choice, with locations that accept clothing, household goods, and more. There's also the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Olympia, which is a treasure trove for gently used furniture, building materials, and home décor. Donating not only helps keep items out of the landfill but also supports vital local programs.
Keeping Tumwater Sparkling: Tackling Bulky Items & Litter
Keeping our streets and neighborhoods clean is a team effort! While your regular trash pickup handles certain bulky items, if you have something unusually large or difficult to dispose of, it's good to know the local process. For anything beyond the standard limits, you might need to arrange for a special pickup or look into options at the Thurston County Transfer Station. If you ever spot illegal dumping – that's when folks leave trash in unauthorized places – the City of Tumwater encourages you to report it. Usually, you can do this through their website or by calling the city's public works department. They also occasionally host community cleanup events, which are a fantastic way to get involved and make a visible difference right here in Tumwater.
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.