Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Federal Way
Trash Day
Trash collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood zone. Check the city's residential garbage map or log into your Waste Management account to confirm your specific pickup day.
Recycling
Collected every other week on the same day as your regular trash collection.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your regular trash collection day for subscribed yard and food waste customers.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Waste Management bills residential customers every three months, with recycling included in your base rate. Residents also receive one free annual curbside pickup of up to 3 bulky items and 15 bags or boxes of extra trash.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person Pay Stations
Pro Tip / Discount
Eligible low-income households (under 50% AMI) can apply for the City of Federal Way Utility Tax Rebate Program for garbage utility taxes. Free cart carry-out assistance is also available for residents with disabilities.
Grey/Black Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged before being placed in the bin. Carts must not exceed 60 pounds for a 32-gallon size. Overweight containers will not be emptied.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Cold ashes
- ✓Broken ceramics
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables loosely in the blue cart without bags. Ensure all containers are empty, clean, and dry. Do not worry about plastic numbers; recycle based on shape (bottle, jug, or tub only).
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Never use plastic bags. Food scraps can be placed in paper bags or compostable bags. Keep lids fully closed. Extra yard debris can go in heavy-duty paper lawn bags or bundles tied with sisal twine.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Branches and twigs
- ✓Food scraps
- ✓Food-soiled paper (e.g., pizza boxes, napkins)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once per year free of charge
Placement
Collection must be scheduled in advance and will take place on your regular service day. Items should be placed curbside by 7:00 a.m.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Sofas and furniture
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Up to 15 additional bags of garbage
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Dirt, rocks, and concrete
The first annual pickup is free. For additional pickups or items exceeding the limit, contact WM at 253-833-3333 for rates.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your collection day falls on or after an observed holiday, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard and food waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as trash and recycling.
WM only observes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. Normal service occurs on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic Bags
Plastic garbage and grocery bags jam the sorting machines at the recycling facility and ruin compost batches. Never bag your recyclables, and only use approved compostable or paper bags in your organics bin.
Recycle by Shape, Not Number
Ignore the chasing arrows on plastics. In Federal Way, you should only recycle plastic if it is shaped like a bottle, jug, or tub. Clamshell containers and plastic berry boxes belong in the garbage.
Trash Your Shredded Paper
Because of its small size, shredded paper cannot be easily sorted from other recyclables and ends up contaminating glass and plastic streams. Always throw shredded paper into your regular garbage.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - FebruaryIf snow or ice delays your garbage pickup, you can put out double the amount on your next regular collection day for free. Keep a few sturdy plastic bags handy for extra trash.
Fall
October - NovemberFor excess fall leaves that won't fit in your green cart, use 32-gallon cans labeled 'Yard Waste', heavy paper yard bags, or tie branches into 4'x2' bundles using natural sisal twine.
Spring
April - MaySpring cleaning often uncovers old paint and garden chemicals. Never put hazardous waste in your curbside carts; take it to the Auburn Hazardous Wastemobile or a local drop-off site.
About Federal Way Waste Management
Comprehensive Waste Management with WM
The City of Federal Way partners with Waste Management (WM) to provide residential curbside garbage, recycling, and yard/food waste collection. Residents are encouraged to reduce their landfill impact by opting into the weekly food and yard waste composting program, which can also help lower monthly garbage bills by allowing households to downsize their primary trash container.
The Annual Bonus Curbside Pickup Benefit
One of the standout features of Federal Way's waste program is the free Annual Bonus Curbside Pickup available to single-family residential garbage customers. Once a year, residents can schedule a free collection of up to three bulky items, such as mattresses or appliances, alongside an extra 15 bags of garbage, right from their curb.
Combining Yard Waste and Food Scraps
Federal Way actively combats greenhouse gas emissions by diverting organics from King County landfills. The city's green cart program allows residents to mix their lawn clippings and branches with everyday kitchen food scraps, coffee grounds, and food-soiled paper like greasy pizza boxes. Just ensure that absolutely no plastic bags are used in the process.
Navigating King County Winter Weather Delays
During the Pacific Northwest's unpredictable winter months, snow and ice can force route cancellations. If WM service is paused due to weather in Federal Way, residents are permitted to place double their usual amount of trash, recycling, and yard waste at the curb on the next scheduled collection day without incurring any overage fees.
Self-Haul and Transfer Station Alternatives
For residents with excess household waste, heavy construction debris, or materials that cannot wait for curbside collection, King County operates nearby transfer stations. The Bow Lake Recycling and Transfer Station in Tukwila accepts garbage, recyclables, and yard debris, while the Algona Transfer Station exclusively handles garbage drops.
Drop-off Facilities
Bow Lake Recycling and Transfer Station
18800 Orillia Rd S, Tukwila, WA 98188
Materials Accepted
Algona Transfer Station
35315 W Valley Hwy S, Algona, WA 98001
Materials Accepted
Auburn Hazardous Wastemobile (at Outlet Collection)
1101 Outlet Collection Way, Auburn, WA 98001
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Federal Way offer free large item pickup?
Yes! All WM single-family residential garbage customers in Federal Way receive a free 'Annual Bonus Curbside Pickup' once a year. This includes up to three large items and 15 extra bags of trash. You must call 253-833-3333 to schedule it.
Can I put food waste in my yard bin in Federal Way?
Yes. Federal Way's green cart program accepts food scraps, leftover kitchen grease, and food-soiled paper (like pizza boxes) mixed with your yard trimmings. Just remember not to use plastic bags.
What is the holiday trash schedule for Federal Way?
WM in Federal Way only delays service for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your normal pickup falls on or after the holiday, your collection is pushed back one day. Service runs normally on all other holidays.
What happens if it snows and my trash isn't collected?
If winter weather in King County causes WM to cancel your collection route, you can put out double the amount of garbage, recycling, and yard waste on your next regularly scheduled service day at no extra charge.