Residential Recycling Collection

By recycling you are helping to save energy, reduce water pollution, reduce water consumption, preserve natural resources and create jobs.

Containers out by 7 am

Collection times may vary as routing schedules change, and so it is very important to have all containers at the street by 7 am. We appreciate your cooperation.

Place carts out by 7 am or no earlier than 24 hours before collection day.

Place 2 feet apart with lids opening toward the street.

Place 3 feet from obstructions such as cars, trees, fences, mailboxes.

Where available, place your carts in grass planter strips between the curb and sidewalk.

Where grass planter strips are not available, place carts out in such a way that does not restrict the reasonable and safe use of the street, sidewalk, or bicycle lanes by pedestrians, bicyclists, and automobiles.

Remove carts from public property no later than 24 hours after your collection day.

Collection Calendar

Week A and Week B Collection Calendars / Service Map

Your recycling is collected every other week on garbage day. There is no limit on the amount of clean recycling you can set out for collection. Put recycling that doesn't fit in your cart in old recycling bin or cardboard boxes (limit 2'x3'.)

Recycle Container Options & Rates

One recycling cart is provided at no extra cost with your basic garbage service. Additional carts are available for a fee (see rate sheet).

Recycling containers are offered in 35, 64, and 96-gallon sizes. The default size is 64 gallons.

Recycling and preventing waste can sometimes reduce garbage enough for residents to order a smaller garbage container for a lower rate.

Extra Recycling: Place clean recyclables that do not fit in your cart in a 35-gallon can with handles or cardboard boxes (limit 2'x3'). Mark "Recycle". If you frequently have extra recyclables, you may be asked to order a second cart.

Cart Tagging

The City of Auburn and WM use "Recycling Only" Oops tags to monitor contamination in recycling carts. If a driver spots contamination in your recycling cart, the cart will be tagged, and you will be informed on proper disposal. Recycling carts should be free of contaminants prior to servicing.

Recycling Tips

• Empty clean recyclables out of bags and boxes and put them loose in your cart so that they can be easily identified and sorted at the recycling center. Clean paper bags and cardboard boxes are recyclable. Just put them in your cart after you empty them. Recyclables in plastic bags may be mistaken for garbage at the sorting center.
  
  
• NO plastic bags in recycling. (Reuse or recycle at grocery stores) - Plastic bags get caught in conveyor belts at the recycling center.
  
  
• NO shredded paper in recycling. Because of its size, shredded paper is difficult to sort from other recyclables.
  
  
• Empty, clean, and loose. These three words can greatly improve the quality of recyclables placed in your cart. You can do this by rinsing out recyclables and placing empty containers directly in your cart loose, not in a plastic bag. Learn more about how you can Recycle Right - Click here.

For questions about what is accepted in recycling colletion, please email recyclenw@wm.com.

To sign up for service, please contact WM Customer Service or 253-939-9792.