This program includes public education and awareness of all aspects of solid waste management – reuse, recycling, composting, proper disposal methods and prevention strategies. For further information call the Recycling Coordinator at 425-771-0235 ext. 1603 or email to Printed information can always be found at the Recycle Cart located in the lobby of the Edmonds Library, 650 Main Street, available during open library hours only.

Frequently Asked Questions about Garbage and Recycle Services

Does the city provide garbage service and is that service mandatory?

• No, there are private waste hauling companies that provide curbside garbage collection and, no, it is not mandatory to subscribe to a service. The city itself does not operate a garbage collection department. Residents and businesses have the option to transport their own solid waste to transfer facilities operated by Snohomish County. However, the following certified waste haulers provide convenient scheduled service. For single and multi-family properties that subscribe to garbage service, recycling is included.

Where do I call to get garbage service?
Three private waste collectors operate within Edmonds city limits.

• Sound Disposal provides service in the greater “bowl” area of downtown Edmonds.  Contact them at 425-778-2404.

• Allied Waste (formerly Lynnwood Disposal) provides service to almost all the rest of the city.  Contact them at 425-778-0188 or at www.rabanco.com for both residential and commercial service.

• Waste Management NW is the service provider to about 100 homes in an area north of Lake Ballinger.  Contact them at 1-800-592-9995 or at www.wmnorthwest.com

Does my garbage get picked up every week and can I use my own container?

• Yes, single-family residents receive weekly garbage collection, with the option of using company-supplied containers or the resident’s for most service levels.
• Garbage service levels range from the smallest, a 20-gallon mini-can, to one or more of standard 32-gallon containers or company-supplied 64-gallon and 96-gallon wheeled carts.
• There is a once-a-month garbage service available using one 32-gallon size container.
• Containers for recycling are provided by the companies.  All materials accepted in recycle are placed together in one container.
• There is a monthly charge for basic service.  Residents are billed every three months.

What about curbside recycling service?

• Curbside recycling service is automatically included with garbage service for single-family residents and multi-family properties. These materials are accepted for curbside recycling:

  Mixed paper	Newspaper		Tin (steel) cans
  Cardboard	Aluminum cans		Glass bottles & jars
  All plastic bottles & jugs		Paper milk cartons and juice boxes

• All the curbside recycle haulers collect recycling every other week on the same day as your garbage collection. The companies supply a calendar schedule and a large wheeled upright cart to collect the recycling. All accepted materials mentioned above can be placed into the cart together. Your company may accept more materials than listed above. Customers need to call your company to start this service and receive their schedule and list of recyclable materials.

What about yard debris and other services these companies provide?

• Yard debris collection **** at curbside is available for an additional monthly fee and is very popular. All companies supply a collection container and a schedule to those that call and request the service. Yard debris includes the following:

Grass clippings	Leaves	Weeds	Brush
Prunings	Branches up to 2 inches in diameter and less than 3 feet long

(Yard debris does not include dirt, rocks, sod, pet wastes or pet litter, barbecue ashes or coals, metal, bricks, lumber or treated wood products such as beauty bark)

***New and available now! - any Allied Waste or Waste Management NW customer that currently has or begins new yard debris collection service will have the option to add food scraps into their cart, along with regular yard debris materials. The following compostable materials are now acceptable to add to this collection cart:
Food scraps* including:

Fruit and vegetables	Bread products	Beans, pasta and rice
Coffee grounds and teabags	Dairy products	Eggshells, nutshells

*At this time only Waste Management NW customers may also include meat, fish and poultry scraps.

Food-soiled paper including:

Paper towels and napkins	Paper plates and cups	Paper food wrap
Paper take-out cartons	Greasy pizza boxes	Waxed cardboard
Coffee filters	Milk cartons containing food scraps	Shredded paper
Paper bags containing food scraps

Important – no plastics or metals allowed into the yard debris cart!

• Allied Waste has container service available for activities such as remodeling and large cleanup projects.  Several sizes of dumpsters are available.
• All companies can also accommodate requests to collect unwanted bulky items such as furniture and other types of household items.  A small fee is charged but can be less expensive than hauling it yourself.  Restrictions apply so please call for information.
• When you have questions on properly disposing of any unwanted household item call the city’s Recycling Coordinator at 425-771-0235 for the options.

What about household hazardous waste? Where do I take unwanted paint, pesticides, etc.?

• Snohomish County operates the Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Station in Everett. It is open every Wednesday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and the service is free to Snohomish County residents. Call 425-388-6050 or go to Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Station.

Who do I call if I have a complaint about my garbage service?

• Please call your particular garbage company at the numbers given above, especially for missed pick-ups or questions on their collection schedule.  If they do not respond or you receive an unsatisfactory reply, call the city’s Recycling Coordinator at 425-771-0235.  He is a liaison to the solid waste collectors and is available to help you.
• If you feel you want to lodge a complaint to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Committee which is the state body that regulates certified waste collectors and sets the garbage rates, etc., please call 1-800-562-6150 and follow the instructions.

Is there a place I can take my own garbage?

• Yes.  Snohomish County operates three transfer stations in the county.  The one closest to Edmonds, the Southwest Recycling and Transfer Station, is located at 21311 – 61st Place W. (turn south off of 212th St. SW).  More information about this facility can be found on the Snohomish County’s Solid Waste Disposal website.

• The station is open all day, weekdays and weekends, to “self-haulers”.  Call 425-388-3429 for a recorded message on hours and other information.

• Garbage brought to the station is charged at a base tonnage rate.  There are minimum fees for pickup trucks and passenger vehicles. (call the number mentioned).

• Recycling services for the following materials are available at the transfer station’s adjacent Recycling Area for free, to residents only (if they are brought in separately from garbage):

  Used motor oil	Vehicle batteries
  Used antifreeze	Fluorescent lights, tubes and bulbs
  Used oil filters	Household propane tanks (empty)
  Dead rechargeable batteries from cell phones, laptops and power tools Scrap metal (includes household appliances, except refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, heat pumps, microwaves)
  Unwanted computer equipment and TVs are no longer allowed in the garbage, but they can be recycled at this site’s Recycling Area (subject to fees) and some private outlets.

Important information about what to do with old Computers and TVs