Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Union Hill-Novelty Hill
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 or Green (varies by standard WM cart) Bin (Trash)
All regular garbage should be securely bagged to prevent litter and pests. Place the cart at the curb by 6:00 a.m. with the lid completely closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter (double-bagged)
- ✓Diapers and cold ashes (bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place all items loosely in the blue cart—never bag your recyclables. Ensure all food and beverage containers are Empty, Clean, and Dry.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, unwaxed cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (lids removed)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film wrap
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food residue and liquids
- ✕Scrap metal
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags. Layer wet food scraps with dry yard waste or newspaper to minimize odors. Extra yard waste can be placed in heavy-duty kraft paper bags next to the cart (additional fees may apply).
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves, branches, and brush
- ✓Fruit and vegetable scraps
- ✓Meat, dairy, and bones
- ✓Coffee grounds and food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On demand (requires scheduling)
Placement
Once scheduled, place your bulky items at the curb no earlier than 24 hours before your agreed-upon collection date to ensure safe right-of-way access.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and large chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large household appliances (non-freon)
- ✓ Oversized household junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paints and solvents
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Automotive batteries
- ✕ Computers and televisions (e-waste)
Extra fees apply for all bulk collections. Contact Waste Management Northwest customer service at 1-800-592-9995 to request a quote and secure a pickup date.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Waste Management Northwest observes Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your collection day falls on or after a weekday holiday, service is delayed by one day for the remainder of the week (e.g., Thursday customers picked up Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the standard garbage routes.
For all other holidays, including Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day, your trash will be collected on its normal schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
Plastic garbage bags, grocery bags, and stretch wrap are the worst contaminants in the recycling stream. They tangle in sorting machinery and cause facility shutdowns. Take plastic film to local grocery store drop-offs instead.
Remove Lids from Glass Jars
While glass bottles and jars are fully accepted in your recycling cart, the metal or plastic lids attached to them cause sorting issues. Remove the lids and put them in the regular garbage before recycling the glass.
No Pet Waste in the Compost
While food scraps are welcome in the green yard waste bin, pet waste and kitty litter are strictly prohibited. They carry pathogens that ruin the compost pile. Always double-bag pet waste and place it in your garbage cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryUnion Hill-Novelty Hill's elevation and wooded roads make it susceptible to snow and ice delays. During severe winter weather, WM may suspend routes for safety. Leave your carts at the curb; accumulated material is typically collected on your next serviceable day.
Fall
October to NovemberAutumn brings heavy leaf drops across King County. Ensure branches are cut down to fit loosely inside the yard waste cart so they don't jam the container. Excess debris can be placed in biodegradable paper bags next to the cart.
Spring
March to MaySpring cleaning often generates extra refuse. Remember that overweight carts will not be serviced by the automated trucks. If you have extra garbage, place it in sealed bags next to your bin (extra fees apply), or schedule a bulk pickup for major cleanouts.
About Union Hill-Novelty Hill Waste Management
Solid Waste Collection in Union Hill-Novelty Hill
As an unincorporated community in northern King County just east of Redmond, Union Hill-Novelty Hill residents receive comprehensive curbside garbage, recycling, and organics services through Waste Management (WM) Northwest. Because the community features winding, heavily wooded rural residential streets, it's crucial to place your carts correctly. Bins must be set out by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day, positioned at least three feet apart from one another and clear of mailboxes, trees, and parked cars so the automated trucks can service them safely.
Recycling Right with WM Northwest
King County is dedicated to high diversion rates and minimizing landfill waste, and residents in Union Hill-Novelty Hill play a key part in this effort. Your blue WM recycling cart is meant for clean, loose materials only. Always adhere to the 'Empty, Clean, and Dry' rule—rinse out plastic jugs, aluminum cans, and glass jars before tossing them in. Remember that flimsy plastic bags and stretch film are strictly prohibited, as they severely jam the sorting equipment at regional Material Recovery Facilities.
Food Scraps and Yard Waste Composting
With lush Pacific Northwest landscapes, Union Hill-Novelty Hill properties generate a substantial amount of yard debris. Fortunately, your green compost cart accepts much more than just grass clippings and leaves. Washington State strongly encourages organics diversion, meaning you can place all kitchen food scraps—including meat, dairy, bones, and coffee grounds—directly into the green bin alongside your yard waste. Avoid putting pet waste, dirt, or 'compostable' plastics into this bin to prevent contaminating the commercial compost supply.
Managing Bulky Items and Household Cleanouts
Tackling a major garage cleanout or replacing an old mattress? Standard curbside service does not cover oversized household items. Residents can schedule a specialized bulk pickup directly through Waste Management for an additional fee. Alternatively, those who prefer to self-haul large loads of junk, construction debris, or appliances can utilize nearby King County Solid Waste Division facilities, such as the Houghton Recycling & Transfer Station in Kirkland or the Factoria Recycling & Transfer Station in Bellevue.
Proper Disposal of Hazardous Materials
Household hazardous waste—such as oil-based paints, motor oil, harsh cleaning solvents, and pesticides—poses a serious threat to the local environment and Puget Sound waterways. These toxic items must never be placed in your curbside garbage or recycling carts. Union Hill-Novelty Hill residents can safely drop off these chemicals at the Household Hazardous Waste facility located at the Factoria Transfer Station in Bellevue. Keeping flammables out of your bins protects sanitation workers from dangerous truck fires.
Drop-off Facilities
Houghton Recycling & Transfer Station
11724 60th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98033
Materials Accepted
Factoria Recycling & Transfer Station (Household Hazardous Waste)
13800 SE 32nd St, Bellevue, WA 98005
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage collection for Union Hill-Novelty Hill, WA?
As an unincorporated area in northern King County, residential garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection is provided by Waste Management (WM) Northwest.
How do holidays affect my trash pickup in Union Hill-Novelty Hill?
WM Northwest delays service by one day only for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your pickup day falls on or after one of these holidays, service slides to the next day. All other federal holidays operate on a normal schedule.
Can I put food scraps in my yard waste bin?
Yes. Washington State encourages organics diversion. You can put all kitchen food scraps, including meat, dairy, bones, and coffee grounds, directly into your green yard waste cart.
Where can I dispose of hazardous chemicals near Union Hill-Novelty Hill?
Household hazardous waste like wet paint, pesticides, and motor oil cannot go in curbside bins. Residents can take these toxic items to the King County Factoria Transfer Station's Household Hazardous Waste drop-off in Bellevue.