Seattle Recycling Guide & 2026 Calendar
Single-stream recycling pickup is listed for Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Item-specific answers appear below.
Seattle recycling calendar 2026
Regular collection days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Check the current holiday delay notice for changes to regular pickup.
A verified 2026 recycling calendar has not been provided. Get the official calendar and confirm your route.
Accepted & prohibited recycling
Accepted items
- Paper (office paper, newspaper, magazines, envelopes, catalogs, paper bags)
- Cardboard (paperboard boxes and corrugated shipping boxes flattened)
- Plastic containers (bottles, jugs, jars, dairy tubs, and cups clean and empty)
- Glass containers (bottles and jars empty and rinsed, all colors)
- Metal containers (aluminum cans, steel and tin cans, clean foil and small metal scrap)
Prohibited items
- Plastic bags and plastic film wrap (keep out of recycling cart, even if bundled)
- Food waste and liquids (put food scraps in green food and yard waste cart)
- Styrofoam blocks and packing peanuts (take clean blocks to drop-off or schedule pickup)
- Batteries and electronic items (prohibited from garbage and curbside recycling)
- Hazardous waste, paints, motor oil, and chemicals
Can you recycle these items in Seattle?
Can you recycle cardboard in Seattle?
AcceptedFlatten corrugated boxes and paperboard; place loose in cart or bundle flat beside cart.
Can you recycle pizza boxes in Seattle?
AcceptedGrease-stained pizza boxes go in the food and yard waste compost cart; clean lids can be recycled.
Can you recycle plastic #1 in Seattle?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse beverage bottles; leave caps on.
Can you recycle plastic #2 in Seattle?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse milk jugs and laundry detergent bottles; replace plastic caps.
Can you recycle plastic #3 in Seattle?
Not acceptedPVC pipes and vinyl products are not accepted in curbside carts.
Can you recycle plastic #4 in Seattle?
Accepted with conditionsClean rigid containers accepted; plastic shopping bags and film wrap are prohibited.
Can you recycle plastic #5 in Seattle?
AcceptedClean yogurt tubs, cottage cheese tubs, and food containers accepted.
Can you recycle plastic #6 in Seattle?
Not acceptedStyrofoam cups, plates, and takeout packaging are not accepted in curbside recycling.
Can you recycle plastic #7 in Seattle?
Accepted with conditionsCheck the Where Does It Go tool; rigid containers accepted when marked recyclable.
Can you recycle glass in Seattle?
AcceptedRinse glass bottles and jars clean; metal lids may remain attached.
Can you recycle aluminum in Seattle?
AcceptedRinse aluminum drink cans, clean baking trays, and tin cans clean.
Can you recycle shredded paper in Seattle?
Accepted with conditionsPut shredded paper in a paper bag or compost cart; never place loose shredded paper in recycling.
DPW & sanitation contact
Seattle Public Utilities · municipal dpw
Phone: 206-684-3000
700 5th Ave, Suite 4900Seattle, WA 98104
These collection rules cover Zone Seattle Curbside Collection Routes (Monday through Friday).
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in Seattle, WA?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Set carts out by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day with lids opening toward the street or alley, and remove carts as soon as possible after collection.. These rules apply to Zone Seattle Curbside Collection Routes (Monday through Friday).
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Seattle?
As of 2026-09-23: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. A listed holiday shifts that day and the remaining collection days in its service week by one day. Observed holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day. These rules apply to Zone Seattle Curbside Collection Routes (Monday through Friday).
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Seattle?
Special Item Pickup is available on demand for Seattle Public Utilities residential customers. Items are collected on your regular collection day once confirmed through your utility account. Set items at the collection point on a flat, level surface by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled pickup day. The listed limit is 6 items per pickup. Advance notice is required. Contact sanitation at 206-684-3000 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone Seattle Curbside Collection Routes (Monday through Friday).
What items are accepted for recycling in Seattle?
The listed accepted materials are Paper (office paper, newspaper, magazines, envelopes, catalogs, paper bags), Cardboard (paperboard boxes and corrugated shipping boxes flattened), Plastic containers (bottles, jugs, jars, dairy tubs, and cups clean and empty), Glass containers (bottles and jars empty and rinsed, all colors), Metal containers (aluminum cans, steel and tin cans, clean foil and small metal scrap). Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags and plastic film wrap (keep out of recycling cart, even if bundled), Food waste and liquids (put food scraps in green food and yard waste cart), Styrofoam blocks and packing peanuts (take clean blocks to drop-off or schedule pickup), Batteries and electronic items (prohibited from garbage and curbside recycling), Hazardous waste, paints, motor oil, and chemicals. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone Seattle Curbside Collection Routes (Monday through Friday).