Seattle Trash, Recycling & Compost Pickup Schedule (2025)
Complete guide for Seattle, WA: weekly garbage & compost, every-other-week recycling (single-family), holiday changes, bulky/special item collection, transfer stations & HHW, and how to report missed service.
Updated:
Frequencies
Single-family: garbage & compost weekly; recycling every other week. Apartments/condos may have more frequent service. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Find Your Day
Use the City’s Collection Calendar to see your pickup day and holiday adjustments (or call 206-684-3000). :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Food Waste Rule
Seattle requires composting of food scraps & food-soiled paper (no food in the garbage). Use the Where Does It Go? tool for tricky items. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
📍 Address Lookup & Recycle It App
Check your exact pickup day(s), print a calendar, and get reminders with the City’s tools. The official Recycle It app lets you look up your day, set alerts, report missed collections, and use Where Does It Go?. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
🗓️ Weekly Pickup & Set-out Rules
- Set-out time: place carts/items by 7:00 a.m. on collection day; lids must close; keep carts unobstructed. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- Extra garbage/yard: allowed with fees and size limits; see SPU’s “Setting Out Waste” guidance. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
- Compost mandate: no food scraps in garbage; place food & food-soiled paper in the green cart. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
- Frequencies (single-family): garbage & compost weekly; recycling every other week (same weekday). :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
- Tools: use the Collection Calendar or Recycle It to add iCal/Google reminders and print your schedule. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
♻️ Recycling & Compost — What Goes Where
Blue — Recycling
- Paper & cardboard (flatten)
- Glass bottles & jars
- Metal cans & foil
- Rigid plastics (bottles, jugs, tubs)
- Cartons (juice, soup)
Green — Compost
- All food scraps & food-soiled paper
- Yard trimmings & plant debris
- No plastic bags, glass, or metal
Use the City’s Where Does It Go? lookup for any tricky item; keep recyclables **empty, dry & loose** (no bagged recyclables). :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
📦 Bulky / Special Item Collection (Fees & UDP)
- Schedule curbside pickup for large items (furniture, appliances, TVs) and certain small recyclables (batteries, CFLs, foam blocks, small propane). Charges vary by item and appear on your utility bill. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
- Utility Discount Program (UDP): qualifying single-family customers with an SPU bill in their name get **two free special-item pickups per year** (and may receive up to two free transfer-station passes). :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
- Set special items out by 7:00 a.m. on your regular garbage day once scheduled. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
🏗️ Transfer Stations & Household Hazardous Waste
| Facility | Address / Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| North Transfer Station | 1350 N 34th St, Seattle, WA 98103 — typically Sun–Tue, 9:00–17:00 (check closures/holidays online) | Garbage, recycling, yard waste drop-off; see fees & accepted materials. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13} |
| South Transfer Station | 130 S Kenyon St, Seattle, WA 98108 — see site for hours | Second City station; check live cameras/wait times & materials list. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14} |
| King County HHW Facilities | Factoria HHW (Bellevue) & other sites — see county page for addresses & hours | Drop off household hazardous waste (no curbside). Check dates/holiday closures. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15} |
🎉 Holiday Schedule (One-Day Delay)
- If your pickup day falls on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Day, collection is delayed **one day** for the rest of that week. If the holiday falls on a weekend, regular schedules apply. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
For weather/emergency updates, check SPU service alerts or your Recycle It notifications. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
🚚 Missed Pickup — What to Do
- Recheck set-out (by 7:00 a.m.), lids closed, and cart access. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
- Report after 6:00 p.m. on your collection day and within 2 business days using SPU’s missed-collection form or by calling 206-684-3000. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
📞 Contacts (Seattle Public Utilities)
- Customer Service: (206) 684-3000 — collection day help, special items, billing. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
- Recycle It app: reminders, calendar, report issues, cart requests. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
- Where Does It Go? A-Z disposal & recycling guide. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
🔗 Data Sources
- Your Collection Day (weekly freq / tools) :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
- Collection Calendar (lookup) :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
- Recycle It app (features & downloads) :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
- Food Waste Requirements (compost mandate) :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}
- Setting Out Waste (extras / charges) :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}
- Special Item Collections (fees & UDP) :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}
- Utility Discount Program (free pickups & passes) :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}
- Transfer Stations (North & South) :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}
- King County HHW Facilities :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}
- Holiday Delays (Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year’s) :contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}