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Tacoma 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.

Tacoma 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

  • Cardboard and paperboard boxes (flattened)
  • Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, and mixed paper
  • Aluminum and tin beverage and food cans
  • Rigid plastic bottles, tubs, and jugs (empty, clean, dry)

Prohibited items

  • Glass bottles and jars (curbside collection discontinued; take glass to neighborhood drop-off stations)
  • Plastic bags, plastic film, and bubble wrap (never bag recyclables)
  • Batteries (car, button, and household alkaline/lithium; drop off at Recycle Center)
  • Styrofoam cups, containers, and packing peanuts
  • Clothing, textiles, and shoes
  • Food waste and organic materials
  • Garden hoses, cords, wires, and holiday lights
  • Medical waste and needles

Can you recycle these items in Tacoma?

DPW & sanitation contact

City of Tacoma Solid Waste Management · municipal dpw

Phone: 253-502-2100

3510 S Mullen St
Tacoma, WA 98409
Visit Official Tacoma Sanitation Portal Official municipality portal at tacoma.gov

These collection rules cover Zone City of Tacoma Solid Waste Collection Routes.

Trash & recycling questions

What days is trash collected in Tacoma, WA?

Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Set container out by 7 a.m. on your pickup day. For curbside pickup, place container in the street or alley with wheels toward the curb.. These rules apply to Zone City of Tacoma Solid Waste Collection Routes.

Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Tacoma?

As of 2026-09-24: 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: New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone City of Tacoma Solid Waste Collection Routes.

How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Tacoma?

City of Tacoma residential customers receive two Call-2-Haul pickups or self-hauls per calendar year included in their standard utility rates. Each service accommodates up to 3 large items (such as mattresses, sofas, major appliances, or lawn mowers) and up to 15 boxes or bags of smaller household items. Appointments must be reserved in advance by calling 253-573-2468 or booking online through MyTPU. Place items at the front curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled pickup date. The listed limit is 18 items per pickup. Advance notice is required. Contact sanitation at 253-573-2468 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone City of Tacoma Solid Waste Collection Routes.

What items are accepted for recycling in Tacoma?

The listed accepted materials are Cardboard and paperboard boxes (flattened), Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, and mixed paper, Aluminum and tin beverage and food cans, Rigid plastic bottles, tubs, and jugs (empty, clean, dry). Keep these listed prohibited items out: Glass bottles and jars (curbside collection discontinued; take glass to neighborhood drop-off stations), Plastic bags, plastic film, and bubble wrap (never bag recyclables), Batteries (car, button, and household alkaline/lithium; drop off at Recycle Center), Styrofoam cups, containers, and packing peanuts, Clothing, textiles, and shoes, Food waste and organic materials, Garden hoses, cords, wires, and holiday lights, Medical waste and needles. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone City of Tacoma Solid Waste Collection Routes.