Anchorage Trash Pickup Schedule, Recycling & Bulk 2026
Find your SWS collection day, recycling week, organics cart, bulk pickup rules, and holiday schedule for Anchorage.
Municipality of Anchorage · Solid Waste Services (SWS) · Service Area: Eagle River to Girdwood · Updated 2026
Find Your Anchorage Collection Day
SWS collects trash weekly and recycling every other week. Your day depends on your address. Use the official lookup or select a general area below to see how the schedule works for your neighborhood.
👈 Select your area above to see your collection schedule overview.
⚠ Not sure which provider serves you? Email your address to SWCS@anchorageak.gov or call (907) 343-6250. Your exact collection day varies by route — SWS can confirm. All contact options ↓
Anchorage Waste Collection — Quick Facts
The Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services (SWS) is the primary waste provider for single-family homes within the mandatory service area, stretching from Eagle River to Girdwood. SWS uses automated roll cart collection. Recycling is free and included with trash service. Service is mandatory for all occupied properties within the SWS service area. Some Anchorage neighborhoods are served by Alaska Waste instead of SWS — confirm your provider by calling 907-343-6250 or emailing SWCS@anchorageak.gov.
Anchorage’s Three-Cart System — Black, Blue & Pink
SWS-served homes receive color-coded roll carts for automated side-loader collection. Trash and recycling are always collected on the same day. Recycling alternates weeks (biweekly). The pink organics cart is a seasonal, opt-in program running May through October. All carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 AM on the day of collection only — not the night before.
Black Cart — Garbage
Bag all trash before placing in the cart. Lid must be fully closed. Automated trucks cannot pick up loose bags or items beside the cart.
Weekly • MandatoryBlue Cart — Recycling
Aluminum cans, #1 & #2 plastic bottles, steel cans, cardboard, mixed paper. Loose — no bags. Free and included with trash service.
Every other week • FreePink Cart — Organics
Fruit & veggie scraps, garden scraps, coffee grounds, yard waste. No meat, dairy, fish. No bags of any kind. Opt-in, seasonal. Resumes May 1, 2026.
Seasonal (May–Oct) • Opt-in⏰ Set-Out Rules — Including Bear Safety
- Place carts at the curb or edge of the street or alley with wheels and handles facing your home.
- Carts must be out by 7:00 AM on collection day. Do NOT put them out the night before.
- Maintain 3 feet of clearance on all sides of the cart.
- Lids must be closed and able to open freely — do not bungee cord the lid on collection day.
- In winter, clear snow that may block the cart from being collected.
- BEAR SAFETY: Store carts in your backyard, garage, or another enclosed area where they are not visible except on collection days. Bear-resistant containers are available. For the pink organics cart: keep food scraps stored indoors until the morning of pickup, then place cart out no earlier than 7 AM.
- Automated trucks cannot pick up items left beside the cart. Everything must be inside the cart with the lid closed.
Anchorage SWS Holiday Collection Schedule 2026
SWS collects on almost all holidays. Only Christmas Day and New Year’s Day result in service changes — collection shifts to the next weekday or preceding Saturday. SWS facilities (transfer stations, landfill) have reduced hours on most holidays. Alaska Waste follows a similar but slightly different schedule — check alaskawaste.net if Alaska Waste serves your address.
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Curbside Collections | SWS Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thu, Jan 1 | Next Day Service | Closed — affected customers notified of alternate day (next weekday or prior Sat) |
| MLK Jr. Day | Mon, Jan 19 | Normal | Open |
| Presidents’ Day | Mon, Feb 16 | Normal | Open |
| Seward’s Day | Mon, Mar 30 | Normal | Open |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25 | Normal | Facilities close at 2:00 PM |
| Juneteenth | Fri, Jun 19 | Normal | Open |
| Independence Day | Sat, Jul 4 | Normal | Facilities close at 2:00 PM |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7 | Normal | Transfer Stations, MRF & Landfill close at 2:00 PM |
| Indigenous Peoples’ Day | Mon, Oct 12 | Normal | Open |
| Veterans’ Day | Wed, Nov 11 | Normal | Open |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26 | Normal | Facilities close at 2:00 PM |
| Day After Thanksgiving | Fri, Nov 27 | Normal | Open |
| Christmas Eve | Thu, Dec 24 | Normal | Facilities close at 2:00 PM |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | Next Day Service | Closed — affected customers notified of alternate day (next weekday or prior Sat) |
Anchorage Recycling — What Goes in the Blue Cart
SWS curbside recycling is every other week on the same day as your trash pickup. Recycling is free — the cost is included in your trash service. Opting out does not save money. Place all items loose in the cart without bags. Check the official 2026 Recycling Collections Calendar PDF at muni.org for your exact A/B recycling weeks.
✅ Accepted in the Blue Cart (Curbside)
- Aluminum cans (rinsed)
- Steel/tin cans (rinsed)
- #1 PETE plastic bottles (caps on is OK)
- #2 HDPE plastic jugs/bottles (caps on is OK)
- Cardboard (flattened)
- Mixed paper: cereal boxes, junk mail, office paper, magazines, paper bags, toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls
- Newspaper
🚫 Not Accepted in the Blue Cart
- Plastic bags → Carrs grocery stores
- Glass bottles and jars → drop off at ARL or WestRock only
- Aluminum foil → drop off at WestRock only
- Plastics #3–#7
- Food scraps → pink organics cart
- Electronics → see special recyclers below
- Lithium batteries → HHW facilities only (as of March 2024)
- Styrofoam / polystyrene
Organics & Curbside Composting — The Pink Cart
SWS offers an opt-in seasonal curbside organics program using a distinctive pink cart. The 2026 season runs from May 1 through October. Collection is weekly on your service day. Sign up by calling (907) 343-6250 or emailing SWCS@anchorageak.gov. Rates: $6.65/month (32-gallon) or $13.30/month (96-gallon). No charge during winter months when program is not in service. Food scraps and yard waste are composted at a farm in Palmer.
✅ Accepted in the Pink Organics Cart
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Garden scraps
- Coffee grounds and tea bags (including paper filters)
- Yard waste: grass clippings, leaves, garden debris, twigs, weeds
🚫 Not Accepted in the Pink Cart
- Fish, meat, dairy, or poultry
- Animal waste or manure
- Cooked food or bones
- Compostable containers or bags (even labeled “compostable”)
- Dirt, rocks, plastics, or glass
🌿 Community Compost Drop-Off (May – October)
Even without a pink cart, residents can drop off food scraps at the Material Recovery Facility (across from the Central Transfer Station, 1208 E. 56th Ave) during summer months. Open Monday–Saturday 8:30 AM–3:30 PM, May 1 through October 31. Disposal fee applies. No yard trimmings at the drop-off — only food scraps. No compostable bags; bring scraps in a bucket that can be emptied directly into the roll carts.
Anchorage Bulk Item Pickup — Saturdays by Appointment
SWS offers curbside bulk item pickup on Saturdays. Scheduling is required — call (907) 343-6250 to set up an appointment. Additional charges apply beyond regular service rates. Bulk items cannot be placed in or beside the regular black trash cart — automated trucks cannot pick up material not in a roll cart.
📅 How to Schedule Bulk Pickup
- Call SWS Customer Service at (907) 343-6250 (Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–4:00 PM) to schedule. Additional charges apply — confirm pricing when you call.
- Place bulk items at the curb by 7:00 AM on the scheduled Saturday. Do not put them out the night before due to bear safety.
- Keep items separate and accessible — do not place them next to or on top of your regular black cart.
- For appliances with refrigerants (refrigerators, freezers): these can be brought to the Central Transfer Station or Anchorage Regional Landfill. A $25.50 fee per unit covers CFC/Freon removal. Call first to confirm current rates.
- Washers, dryers, stoves, and hot water heaters can be brought to CTS or ARL for recycling as well.
Household Hazardous Waste & Special Recycling in Anchorage
SWS operates free HHW drop-off for Anchorage residents (up to 40 lbs or less per visit) at two locations. No appointment needed. A Reuse Paint & Materials Exchange is available at both facilities — good paint and household materials dropped off by the public are available for residents to take for free.
🚩 Central Transfer Station (CTS)
1310 E. 56th Ave, Anchorage
Mon–Sat • 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
HHW accepted Mon–Sat. Free for Anchorage residents (up to 40 lbs). Questions: 907-201-8472.
🚩 Anchorage Regional Landfill (ARL)
15500 Eagle River Loop Road, Eagle River
Tue–Sat • 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
HHW accepted Tue–Sat. Free for residents. Also accepts glass recycling and aluminum foil. Businesses (VSQGs): ARL only.
🚩 WestRock Recycling Center
6161 Rosewood Street, Anchorage
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week (private, not SWS)
Drop-off: cardboard, paper, cans, #1/#2 plastics, glass, aluminum foil. Free drop-off available.
🚩 Girdwood Transfer Station
Ruane St, Girdwood, AK 99587
Thu, Fri, Sat: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM • Mon, Tue, Sun: Closed
Serves Girdwood area residents. Closed 12:30–1:00 PM for lunch.
| Item | Where to Take It |
|---|---|
| Lithium batteries (non-auto) | HHW facilities only (CTS or ARL) — required as of March 2024. Up to 40 lbs/day. Do NOT put in trash or recycling. |
| Auto batteries | CTS or ARL. First battery free; additional batteries $5 each. |
| Used motor oil | CTS or ARL (up to 5 gallons). Additional 5 gallons at CTS for $1/gallon extra. |
| Antifreeze, fuels, solvents | CTS or ARL HHW. Free for residents up to 40 lbs. |
| Paint (latex) | Dry before disposal. Not hazardous, but must be dried. HHW if liquid. |
| Paint (oil-based/solvents) | CTS or ARL HHW. Up to 5 gallons/40 lbs. |
| CFL/fluorescent bulbs | CTS or ARL HHW. Free. |
| Refrigerators / freezers | CTS or ARL. $25.50/unit CFC removal fee. |
| Other appliances (washers, dryers, stoves) | CTS or ARL for recycling. No CFC fee. |
| Electronics (TVs, computers) | Total Reclaim (12050 Industry Way), Batteries & Bulbs (910 W International Blvd), or Eagle River Electronics (12801 Old Glenn Hwy). Fees may apply. |
| Tires | CTS or ARL. Fees apply. |
| Scrap metal | Central Recycling Services (229 E Whitney Rd), Alaska Scrap (720 E Whitney Rd), WestRock (6161 Rosewood St), WOTC (8820 King St) |
| Wood waste (clean) | SWS Wood Lots (seasonal, summer only) at ARL or CTS. Free disposal of woody debris Fri & Sat at ARL. |
| Cooking oil (<5 gallons) | CTS or ARL HHW (Tue, Thu, Sat). |
| Glass bottles & jars | Drop off at ARL or WestRock (6161 Rosewood St, 24/7). Not accepted in blue curbside cart. |
SWS Facilities — Transfer Stations, Landfill & Drop-Off
🏭 Central Transfer Station (CTS)
Residential Entrance: 1310 E. 56th Ave
Commercial Entrance: 1050 E. 56th Ave
Mon–Sat • Residential: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM • Commercial: Mon–Fri 6:30 AM–4:30 PM, Sat 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Disposal fee applies. HHW accepted Mon–Sat.
🏭 Anchorage Regional Landfill (ARL)
15500 Eagle River Loop Road, Eagle River
Mon–Fri: 7:30 AM–5:00 PM • Sat: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Accepts recycling drop-off (glass, cans, paper, cardboard). HHW Tue–Sat. Free woody debris disposal Fri & Sat.
🏭 Material Recovery Facility (MRF)
Across from CTS on E. 56th Ave
Mon–Sat: 8:30 AM–3:30 PM • Open May 1 through October 31 only
Community compost drop-off (food scraps only). Disposal fee: $20/load (5×8×3 ft). Seasonal.
🏭 Girdwood Transfer Station
Ruane St, Girdwood, AK 99587
Thu, Fri, Sat: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM • Closed Mon, Tue, Sun
Serves Girdwood-area residents. Closed 12:30–1:00 PM for lunch.
What to Do If Your Trash Wasn’t Collected in Anchorage
- Confirm your collection day and recycling week. Email SWCS@anchorageak.gov with your address or call (907) 343-6250. Download the 2026 Recycling Collections Calendar to check your biweekly schedule.
- Check for a holiday delay. SWS only delays for Christmas and New Year’s Day. All other holidays are normal service days. If affected, customers are notified directly.
- Verify cart placement and set-out time. Cart must be at the curb by 7:00 AM on collection day (not the night before) with 3 feet of clearance on all sides, lid closed and able to open freely. In winter, snow must be cleared from around the cart.
- Check for weather delays. In heavy snow or icy conditions, SWS may suspend routes. Monitor announcements — extra bags may be allowed at no charge on resumed service days.
- Report the missed pickup to SWS Customer Service at (907) 343-6250 or email SWCS@anchorageak.gov.
Anchorage Trash & Recycling Tips Every Resident Should Know
🏠 New to Anchorage or Just Moved In?
First, confirm whether your address is served by SWS or Alaska Waste — call 907-343-6250 or email SWCS@anchorageak.gov. If SWS-served, you’ll automatically receive trash and recycling carts. Service is mandatory for all occupied properties in the SWS area. To add the pink organics cart (May–October), you must opt in by calling 907-343-6250. Remember the most important rule: carts out by 7 AM on collection day only — never the night before.
🐻 Bear-Smart Trash Habits
- Store all carts out of sight — garage, backyard, or enclosed area — between collection days.
- Never put carts out the night before — only on the morning of service, at or after 7:00 AM.
- Rinse carts after emptying to reduce odors that attract bears, ravens, and dogs.
- For the pink organics cart: store food scraps indoors until the morning of pickup. Place a paper bag or cardboard at the bottom of the cart to absorb moisture.
- Bear-resistant containers are available from SWS — call 907-343-6250 for information.
❄️ Winter Collection Tips
- Clear snow and ice from around your cart before collection day so the automated arm can access it.
- Do not bungee cord the cart lid on collection day — the lid must open freely for the automated truck.
- If routes are suspended due to road conditions, SWS will announce resumed service and typically allows extra bags at no charge.
🚫 5 Common Mistakes Anchorage Residents Make
- Putting carts out the night before — bears will get into them and it violates the set-out rule
- Putting glass in the blue recycling cart — glass is NOT accepted curbside; it must go to ARL or WestRock
- Using “compostable” bags in the pink organics cart — no bags of any kind are accepted
- Placing items beside the black trash cart — automated trucks cannot pick up material outside the cart
- Putting lithium batteries in any cart — since March 2024 all lithium batteries must go to HHW facilities
🎓 Anchorage Citywide Cleanup (May)
Each May, the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce organizes a citywide cleanup. In 2026 it ran May 2–31. Orange cleanup bags are distributed at parks and partner locations; Alaska Waste and SWS coordinate bag pickup. Check anchoragechamber.org for next year’s dates and orange bag distribution locations.
Contact SWS & Anchorage Waste Services
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| SWS Customer Service | 📞 (907) 343-6250 • Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–4:00 PM • Garbage & recycling questions, missed pickups, cart requests, bulk pickup scheduling, organics sign-up, address/route confirmation |
| SWS Email | SWCS@anchorageak.gov — route/day confirmation, sign-ups, general questions |
| HHW Questions | 📞 907-201-8472 — household hazardous waste questions and Reuse Paint & Materials Exchange |
| SWS Website | muni.org/Departments/SWS — 2026 rates, recycling calendar download, holiday calendar, compost info |
| Central Transfer Station | 1310 E. 56th Ave (Residential) • Mon–Sat 8:00 AM–4:30 PM • HHW, recycling drop-off, compost drop-off (seasonal), bulk self-haul |
| Anchorage Regional Landfill | 15500 Eagle River Loop Rd • Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–5:00 PM, Sat 8:00 AM–5:00 PM • Recycling drop-off (including glass), HHW Tue–Sat |
| WestRock Recycling Center | 6161 Rosewood St, Anchorage • 24 hours, 7 days a week (private) • Glass, cardboard, paper, cans, #1/#2 plastics, aluminum foil |
| Alaska Waste (some areas) | 📞 907-563-3717 • alaskawaste.com • Serves some Anchorage neighborhoods and multi-family properties |
| Compost Questions | compost@muni.org or call (907) 343-6250 |
Frequently Asked Questions — Anchorage Trash Pickup
Still Can’t Find Your Collection Day?
If the Collection Day Finder above and all the information on this page haven’t answered your question, contact SWS directly. Emailing your address to SWCS@anchorageak.gov is the fastest way to get your exact route, collection day, and biweekly recycling week confirmed.
🔍 Official SWS Lookup & Contact Options
All of the following are free and will confirm your exact schedule, service provider, cart sizes, and 2026 rates:
🔍 SWS Collections Page 📞 Call (907) 343-6250| SWS Email | SWCS@anchorageak.gov — email your address to confirm your exact collection day, recycling week, and service provider. |
| SWS Customer Service Phone | (907) 343-6250 • Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–4:00 PM • Trash, recycling, organics, bulk, missed pickups, cart requests. |
| 2026 Recycling Calendar | Download the biweekly recycling calendar PDF at muni.org/Departments/SWS to find your A/B recycling weeks. |
| SWS Main Website | muni.org/Departments/SWS — 2026 rates, holiday calendar, recycling what goes where, composting program. |
| Alaska Waste (some areas) | alaskawaste.com • 907-563-3717 • If Alaska Waste serves your address, visit their site for your schedule and holiday info. |
You will leave this website when using any of the links above. SWS at muni.org is the authoritative source for your collection schedule, rates, and holiday changes.
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