Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for University Place
Trash Day
Trash is collected Monday through Friday based on your neighborhood zone, picked up weekly for gray carts or every other week for brown carts.
Recycling
Collected every other week (following an alternating A/B schedule) on your designated collection day in the blue cart.
Yard Waste
Collected every other week on alternating pickup weeks in the green yard waste cart.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling services are managed by University Place Refuse and Recycling. Residential accounts in good standing can schedule one free curbside bulky waste pickup (up to 5 items) per calendar year by calling 253-564-3212.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, In Person
Gray (Weekly) or Brown (Bi-Weekly) Bin (Trash)
All trash must fit inside the cart with the lid closed. Place carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m. Maintain 3 feet of clearance around the cart, 5 feet from vehicles, and 18 feet of overhead clearance.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Dirty cardboard and pizza boxes
- ✓Styrofoam packing peanuts and blocks (bagged)
- ✓Pet waste and cat litter (bagged)
- ✓Glass and broken ceramics
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be empty, clean, and dry. Place all items loosely inside the blue cart without using any plastic grocery or trash bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and newspaper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars (strictly banned)
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Pizza boxes or dirty paper plates
Yard Waste Bin
Cart lid must close completely. Limit weight to 130 lbs for 64-gallon carts and 200 lbs for 96-gallon carts. Extra yard waste requires a GREEN extra tag and must be manageable by hand.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Food waste and kitchen scraps
- ✓Garden refuse and weeds
- ✓Branches and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One free curbside pickup per calendar year for residential customers.
Placement
You must call to schedule in advance. Place approved items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. No single item may weigh more than 300 lbs or be larger than 4' x 8' x 3'.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and couches
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major appliances (must be empty)
- ✓ Exercise equipment (treadmills, bikes)
- ✓ Rolled and tied carpet (max 6 feet long)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous materials (oil, gas, asbestos)
- ✕ Glass items (mirrors, glass tables)
- ✕ Electronics
- ✕ Home improvement/construction debris
- ✕ Riding lawn mowers
Appliances with compressors (refrigerators, freezers, AC units) will incur a decommissioning fee. Call 253-564-3212 to schedule.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after one of these three observed holidays, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling collections follow the exact same holiday shift as standard garbage service.
UP Refuse operates normally on all other federal holidays, including MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryDuring extreme Pacific Northwest winter weather, such as heavy snow or ice, UP Refuse may delay service for safety. Check their Facebook page or official website for real-time service and weather updates.
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring heavy leaf-drop season, ensure your green yard waste cart does not exceed 200 pounds. Extra yard waste can be placed next to the cart but must have a GREEN extra tag (or clearly marked 'YARD WASTE') and will incur a small fee.
Year-Round
January to DecemberInstead of waiting for a specific seasonal clean-up day, you can now bring one load of garbage and one load of yard waste to the facility (2815 Rochester St W) any day during business hours, up to twice a year.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Cans and Bottles into Cash in the South Sound!
Hey neighbors! Did you know you can get a little cash back for your empties? In Washington, we have a great program for recycling deposit-bearing cans and bottles. While University Place itself might not have a dedicated buyback center right on the corner, you're not far from places that do. Take a short drive towards Tacoma, and you'll often find redemption centers where you can turn in those cans and bottles for a few bucks. It's a win-win: you help the environment and put a little money back in your pocket. Just be sure to check if the items you're bringing have the '$.05' or '$.10' deposit printed on them to get your refund!
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life Near University Place
Before you toss out items that are still in decent shape, think about giving them a new home! University Place has some fantastic options for donating. Consider dropping off usable furniture, clothing, or household goods at the Tacoma Goodwill or Salvation Army stores. If you've got building materials or home improvement items you no longer need, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Tacoma is a great spot to check out. They help fund affordable housing projects in our community. It feels good to declutter and know your pre-loved items are going to help someone else.
Keeping University Place Clean: What to Do with Unwanted Waste
It's a bummer when folks illegally dump trash, and we all want to keep University Place looking its best. If you see anything suspicious or have items that are too big for your regular trash bin and don't fit the bulky item guidelines, your best bet is to contact Pierce County's Public Works and Utilities. They manage waste disposal and can give you the scoop on special collection events for things like electronics, hazardous waste, or larger debris. Reporting any dumping you witness can help keep our beautiful neighborhoods clean and safe for everyone.
Drop-off Facilities
University Place Recycling Center
2815 Rochester St W, University Place, WA 98466
Materials Accepted
Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center
3510 S Mullen St, Tacoma, WA 98409
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put glass in my blue recycling bin in University Place?
No. Glass is banned from curbside recycling because it shatters during automated collection and sorting, which contaminates paper bales [4.1.8]. You must self-haul clean glass to the UP Recycling Center on Rochester Street, or securely bag it and throw it in your gray or brown garbage cart.
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup for a couch or mattress?
Residential customers get one free bulky item pickup per calendar year for up to 5 items. You must call University Place Refuse at 253-564-3212 to schedule the pickup. Make sure you identify all your items when you call, as you cannot add items later.
Does my garbage get delayed for Memorial Day or the 4th of July?
No. University Place Refuse operates on a completely normal schedule for all holidays except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. You must have your bins at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.
What happens if I have extra yard waste?
If you have more yard waste than fits in your green cart with the lid closed, you can place it in a box, bag, or bundle next to your cart. However, you must attach a GREEN extra tag (or clearly write 'YARD WASTE' on a tag), and an extra fee will be added to your next bill.