Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Vancouver
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 Dark Green Bin (Trash)
Place all garbage inside bags before tossing into your cart to prevent wind-blown litter. Carts must be set out by 6:00 a.m. with lids completely closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Plastic bags and film
- ✓Produce clamshells (e.g., berry containers)
- ✓Pet waste and diapers
- ✓Take-out containers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables. Glass must be placed in a separate, clearly marked 'Glass Only' container next to your main blue cart on your scheduled collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Five-gallon or smaller plastic nursery pots
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind (must be kept in a separate bin)
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Clamshell containers
- ✕Loose plastic lids
Yard Waste Bin
Organics service is an optional subscription in Vancouver, collected every other week. Never use plastic bags; use compostable bags or keep materials loose.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves, grass, and weeds
- ✓Branches and twigs
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One free 5-item pickup and one free appliance pickup per year
Placement
You must call Waste Connections at 360-892-5370 to schedule your free pickups in advance. Place items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your confirmed date.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and mattresses
- ✓ Large furniture items (under 100 lbs)
- ✓ Major appliances (stoves, washers, refrigerators)
- ✓ Boxed household junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Items over 100 pounds
- ✕ Hazardous waste or liquid paints
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Commercial waste
The first 5-item bulk pickup and the first appliance pickup of the year are entirely free. Additional pickups can be scheduled for a fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled service day falls on or after an observed holiday, your collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday pickups happen on Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and yard debris pickups follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as garbage and recycling.
Waste Connections only takes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day off. Normal service takes place on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Glass Out of the Blue Cart
Never throw glass into your main recycling cart. Broken glass fragments ruin bales of recyclable paper. Always use a separate small bin labeled 'Glass Only' and set it next to your cart.
Say No to Clamshells and Take-Out Containers
Even if they have a recycling symbol, plastic produce 'clamshells' (like cherry tomato or berry boxes) and plastic restaurant take-out containers are not accepted in Vancouver's recycling. Put them in the trash.
Loose Lids Are Trash
Small plastic lids fall through the sorting machinery at the transfer station and cannot be recovered. If a lid is loose and detached from its bottle or tub, it belongs in the garbage.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October - DecemberThe City of Vancouver offers free Fall Leaf Disposal Coupons, allowing you to drop off up to five cubic yards of leaves at designated sites like City Bark and H&H Wood Recyclers to help keep neighborhood storm drains clear.
Spring
April - JuneWatch your mail for the Spring Clean-up Coupons. Eligible residents receive coupons to dispose of up to four cubic yards of yard debris and up to four passenger tires for free at local drop-off centers.
Winter
December - FebruaryDuring severe Pacific Northwest snow or ice storms, Waste Connections may delay routes for safety. If your service is canceled, they will notify you via phone or the RecycleRight app, and you can put out extra waste on your next collection day.
About Vancouver Waste Management
Vancouver's Annual Fall Leaf and Spring Clean-Up Coupons
To help manage neighborhood organic debris and keep storm drains clear, the City of Vancouver provides residential garbage customers with highly valuable seasonal disposal coupons. Every fall (October through December), residents receive coupons to drop off up to five cubic yards of autumn leaves at designated local sites for free. In the spring, another set of coupons is mailed out covering up to four cubic yards of yard debris and up to four passenger tires.
One Free Bulky Item and Appliance Pickup Per Year
Instead of waiting for a single community clean-up day, Vancouver offers a flexible, on-demand curbside bulk waste benefit. Single-family residents with active garbage service through Waste Connections can schedule one free pickup of up to five bulky items (each weighing less than 100 pounds) per calendar year. Additionally, households are entitled to one separate free major appliance pickup annually.
Composting Food Scraps with Every-Other-Week Organics
To support Washington State’s ambitious landfill diversion laws, Vancouver offers an optional but highly encouraged every-other-week curbside organics service. Residents can toss grass clippings, leaves, and kitchen food scraps straight into their organics cart. Composting these materials locally helps reduce methane emissions and produces nutrient-rich soil amendments for Pacific Northwest gardens.
Glass Gets Its Own Bin in Clark County
Unlike many cities with entirely commingled single-stream recycling, Vancouver requires glass to be kept strictly separate from other recyclables. Residents must place glass bottles and jars in a separate container labeled “Glass Only” directly next to their main recycling cart. This prevents broken glass shards from embedding into clean paper and cardboard at the sorting facility.
Free Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Offs
Protecting the Columbia River from toxic runoff means keeping chemicals out of the trash. Vancouver residents have access to three Clark County transfer stations—including the Central Transfer & Recycling Center and the West Van Materials Recovery Center—where they can safely drop off household hazardous waste like old paints, automotive chemicals, and medical sharps completely free of charge during scheduled hours.
Drop-off Facilities
Central Transfer and Recycling Center
11034 N.E. 117th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98662
Materials Accepted
West Van Materials Recovery Center
6601 N.W. Old Lower River Road, Vancouver, WA 98660
Materials Accepted
Washougal Transfer Station
4020 South Grant St., Washougal, WA 98671
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage and recycling services in Vancouver, WA?
The City of Vancouver contracts with Waste Connections to handle all residential garbage, recycling, and optional organics collection within city limits. You can reach them at 360-892-5370.
Can I put glass bottles in my blue recycling bin in Vancouver?
No. Glass is strictly prohibited in the main blue recycling cart because broken shards contaminate other recyclables. You must place your glass bottles and jars in a separate bin clearly marked 'Glass Only' next to your cart.
Does Vancouver offer free large item pickup?
Yes! Residents with active garbage service get one free curbside pickup of up to five bulky items (under 100 lbs each) per calendar year, plus one free separate major appliance pickup. You must call Waste Connections to schedule these.
What is the holiday trash schedule for Waste Connections in Vancouver?
Waste Connections only takes three days off per year: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your pickup day falls on or after one of these holidays, service is delayed by one day. All other holidays run on a normal schedule.