Solid Waste Resources

For service email solidwaste@seattlehousing.org or call 206.716.1310 and leave a message that clearly states your name, address, and phone number.

Tips for sorting garbage, compost and recyclables

Where Does It Go? (Garbage, Compost & Recycle)

Food & Yard Waste (Compost)

 

For items other than regular household waste, see below: 

Please contact us in advance of your next collection day to schedule bulky item collection. There is a $30 charge for each bulky item collected.

  • Appliances, refrigerators, freezers, stoves, dishwashers, dryers, trash compactors, air conditioners and washing machines
  • Box springs and mattresses
  • Furniture, dressers, cabinets, tables, chairs, and sofas
  • For safety reasons, please remove any refrigerator and freezer doors that have latches
  • Appliances and furniture cannot exceed 300 pounds or 8 feet in length or 4 feet in diameter
  • Items made of absorbent material must have a waterproof cover on rainy days

Please contact us in advance of your next collection day to schedule electronics collection. Each electronics waste collection pickup includes up to 3 items. There is a $20 charge for electronics waste recycling.

  • TVs (size limits apply)
  • Computer monitors, CPUs, laptops
  • E-readers (like Kindle or NOOK), tablets, portable DVD players
  • Cell phones
  • Electronic waste cannot exceed 60 lbs and must fit in a box that is no larger than 2' x 2' x 2'
  • You can put several small items in one box that does not exceed the weight and size limit
  • TVs cannot exceed the weight or size limit
  • Broken or obsolete items only

Extra yard waste fees are not charged in November, when customers are asked to keep fall leaves out of drains to reduce the risk of flooding. Households can put out up to 10 bags of extra yard waste per collection day for free from November 1 to 30.

Please note that this free service is only available to customers who are currently billed for regular food and yard waste collection.

All undecorated Christmas trees will be picked up on food & yard waste collection days at no charge from December 26 through January 31. Place the Christmas tree in the same location that food & yard waste carts are set out for collection. Trees must be trimmed to six feet or shorter, and branches to less than four feet. Any objects such as stands, lights, ornaments and bows must be removed prior to collection.

Adorned and plastic trees will be charged as extra garbage. Trees collected after January 31 will be charged as extra yard waste.

Setting out extra garbage

Put your extra garbage next to your garbage cart on collection day. The maximum weight for each extra item is 60 lbs.

Extra garbage is charged by the unit. A unit of extra garbage can be:

  • A 32 gallon garbage can.
  • An individual large plastic bag.
  • A cart that is too full to close the lid

Setting out extra yard waste

Put your extra yard waste next to your food & yard waste (compost) cart on collection day.

No food waste is allowed in extra yard waste. Extra yard waste is charged by the unit. A unit of extra yard waste can be:

  • A 32 gallon garbage can.
  • An individual, large kraft brown paper bag.
  • A bundle tied with fiber twine up to 4 feet long and 2 feet in diameter.
  • A cart that is too full to close the lid.

There is no need to request a special collection.

Instructions:

  • Limit: two 1-gallon jugs of cooking or motor oils
  • Place in sealed 1-gallon jugs
  • Label with address
  • Place next to recycle cart on your next recycle collection day. 

We do not collect sharps. It is illegal to dispose of hypodermic needles, lancets, and syringes in solid waste containers.

Many healthcare providers accept sharps from patients for disposal. Place all “sharps” in a rigid container that is one gallon or less in size (like a plastic soda bottle). Seal the lid, tape it closed, and clearly label “SHARPS, DO NOT RECYCLE”. Alternatively, you may bring your sharps container to any of the following sites with a designated disposal box:

  • Intersection of Airport Way South and South Holgate Street
  • Intersection of 27th Avenue South and Cheasty Boulevard South (center median)
  • Fremont Canal Park: 199 North Canal St, Seattle, WA 98103
  • Freeway Park: 700 Seneca St, Seattle, WA 98101
  • Mineral Springs Park: 1500 North 105th St, Seattle, WA 98133
  • Roxhill Park: 2850 SW Roxbury St, Seattle, WA 98126
  • North or South SPU Transfer Stations    

  • Limit: two 1-gallon bags per collection for single family residence
  • Limit: two 1-gallon bags per recycle cart or dumpster for multifamily residence
  • Place unbroken bulbs in a sealed clear bag in a small box
  • Place next to your garbage cart on collection day after receiving after receiving confirmation that pick-up has been scheduled
  • CFLs and Household Batteries can be placed out on the same collection day (in separate bags) for a single charge of $5.00

 

  • Must be foam blocks or forms.

  • No Styrofoam packing peanuts or overly large pieces of Styrofoam

  • Limit: Two 32-gallon bags or smaller per collection for single family residence

  • Limit: Two 32-gallon bags or smaller per recycle cart or dumpster for multifamily residence

  • Place in a clear or white plastic bag

  • Tie bag and weigh down to prevent movement

  • Label 'foam blocks'

  • Place next to your garbage cart on collection day after receiving confirmation that pick-up has been scheduled

Garbage Size

Max Weight

Monthly Rate

 

Food and yard waste Size

Max Weight

Monthly Rate

12-gallon

20 lbs.

$27.55

 

13-gallon

20 lbs.

$7.30

20-gallon

30 lbs.

$33.75

 

35-gallon

60 lbs.

$10.95

35-gallon

60 lbs.

$43.90

 

65-gallon

120 lbs.

$12.01

65-gallon

120 lbs.

$87.65

 

95-gallon

180 lbs.

$13.95

95-gallon

180 lbs.

$131.65

 

 

 

 

Extra Bag

60 lbs., 4’x2’x2

$13.60

 

Extra Bag

60 lbs., 4’x2’x2

$7.05

 

 

If your container is over the weight limit* it may be tagged. If a missed collection was due to an exception such as an overweight container, you may be assessed a fee for a special collection. To resolve an overweight issue, either lighten the container, reserving waste for the following week, or increase your service level to a larger container. Please contact us at solidwaste@seattlehousing.org for assistance.

 

The weight limit includes the weight of the container, not just the contents. Heavy containers increase long-term injury risk to solid waste drivers.