Waste Management FAQ
About Waste Management & Sustainability
1) Who is Waste Management?
Waste Management is the largest provider of integrated environmental solutions in the Pacific Northwest. Our mission is to maximize resource value, while minimizing environmental impact so that both our economy and our environment can thrive. Waste Management owns and operates the Cascade Recycling Center in Woodinville, and has over 150 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks operating in Seattle, Renton, Kirkland, Auburn, Federal Way, Portland and Spokane. These trucks have 20 percent less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than diesel trucks.
2) How is Waste Management sustainable?
In the Pacific Northwest, Waste Management has over 2,400 employees that are committed to sustainability. In 2010, Waste Management's Greater Wenatchee Landfill earned national recognition by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for creating 140 acres of endangered "shrub-steppe" habitat at our landfill as part of a broader effort to develop biodiversity in the area. Methane gas is collected from Waste Management's Columbia Ridge Landfill and is used to generate electricity, which powers 5,000 homes in Seattle. Our partnerships with over two-thirds of the state's municipalities are helping us achieve statewide sustainability.
3) Fast Facts on WM recycling in the Pacific Northwest
Education and Outreach
1) What are some resources for teachers?
Engage your students in one of the most vital conversations of the day: the environment. Inspire them with activities to expand their understanding of issues such as recycling and resource recovery. You'll find an abundance of educational resources on Waste Management's Think Green site, including lesson plans and classroom materials suitable for a wide range of subjects and grade levels. You'll also find teaching activities, video assets, worksheets, puzzles, and more.
2) How does Waste Management make a difference with public education?
Waste Management's Public Education and Outreach team is dedicated to advancing recycling and composting in the Pacific Northwest. Click here to meet the team!
3) Fun facts for students and teachers
Residential Collection Services
1) What day is my pickup and how do I get my collection calendar showing when my pickup will be?
Click here to find information on your region's service area and pickup times. To request a calendar of your recycling and/or yard waste collection schedule, please click here. You can also call 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm) for assistance.
2) Where and what time do my garbage, recycling or yard waste carts need to be put out for collection?
Collection times may vary as routing schedules change, and so it is very important to have all containers at the street by 6 am. Click here to contact your service area for your pickup time.
Place carts at the curb so that they do not block sidewalks, driveways, public streets, or other rights of way, with the lid opening facing the street. Carts should be at least three feet away from basketball hoops, trees, cars and other containers.
3) What if I have extra garbage which won't fit into my garbage cart, what do I do with it?
Please contact a customer service representative in your area for scheduling and details on additional garbage pickups. In King County Unincorporated Areas there is an additional charge for each extra bag or container (32-gallon, 60 lb. limit) that doesn't fit in your garbage container with the lid closed. If you often have extra garbage, you may want to increase your garbage container size to avoid overflow and extra garbage charges.
4) How do I schedule a dumpster delivery or bulky item pickup? How much does it cost?
Bulky items like mattresses, appliances, console televisions, furniture and building materials can be picked up by special arrangement. Contact WM Customer Service or call the Customer Service Center at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
5) What happens to my garbage?
In the Western Washington, our garbage goes to landfills where it is safely contained. Our landfills are designed and operated under highly regulated guidelines. Each facility employs stringent environmental controls to meet or exceed federal, state and local regulations, and to provide maximum protection for surface and ground water. Please visit our Garbology page for details on garbage.
6) What happens to my recycling?
If you live east of the 520 bridge, it is more than likely that your recyclables are collected and sent to the Cascade Recycling Center (CRC) in Woodinville, Washington. The CRC handles recyclables collected from over 250,000 households in Western Washington and processes 12,000 tons of commingled recyclables and 4,000 tons of construction and demolition materials every month. Please visit our Cascade Recycling Center resource page for more details on your recycling.
7) What happens to my yard waste?
Composting your yard and food waste prevents these valuable resources from being sent to the landfill. By placing your yard waste, food scraps and food-soiled paper in the curbside yard waste cart, these materials are delivered toa regional industrial composting facility and made into compost which you can use for gardening to improve soil health. Close the loop and support our local economy by buying compost at local home improvement and garden stores. Add compost to your yard or garden can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil quality, reduce the need for chemicals and fertilizers and save water.
8) What is the holiday pickup schedule?
Please visit the holiday schedule page.
9) What are my cart size options? How much does each choice cost?
Container sizes and service vary based on your service area. Click here to find the "choose your local service area" drop-down box which will direct you to your service area's sizing and pricing information along with the list of regional customer support phone numbers.
Please note below if there are special circumstances regarding your collection, such as:
11) What happens when there is a snow storm or an inclement weather event?
Please click here to select your service area and receive local service information regarding weather delays in your area. In addition, we are in the process of adding "Service Alerts" highlighted in yellow on the right hand side of each city's page.
12) What must not be put in garbage?
Please click here to see a list of items that cannot go in your garbage.
Please click here to see a list of items that can go in your garbage.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
13) How do I put a vacation hold on my services?
To suspend or resume your service online - Click here. Or, contact Customer Service here and a service representative will temporarily suspend your waste services. More Details
What do I do with _____________ in Washington State?
14) What do I do with appliances & electronics?
Please click here for information on electronics disposal.
King County residents can use the "What do I do with?" database to find hundreds of businesses and organizations that accept unwanted items from residents and businesses in King County, Washington, for reuse, recycling or proper disposal.
15) What do I do with hazardous waste?
Please click here for information on hazardous waste disposal.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
16) What do I do with medical waste?
Please click here for information on medical waste disposal.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
17) What do I do with light bulbs?
Please click here for information on light bulb recycling and disposal.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
18) What do I do with paint?
Please click here for information on paint disposal.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
19) What do I do with other motor oil and other liquids?
Please click here for information on motor oil disposal.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
20) What do I do with batteries?
You can purchase a BatteryTrackerâ„¢ Recycling Kit from ThinkGreenFromHome.com to safely dispose of unwanted household batteries. This kit contains a box, safety liner and prepaid mailing label. Simply fill the box and, when you're ready, seal and drop it off at your local post office for shipment to our processing center.
Accounts / Billing
21) How can I start/stop service?
If you are interested in becoming a customer of Waste Management, please fill out an online inquiry form or call your regional customer service department listed here to start/stop service.
22) How can I check my account balance?
Go to the My Account section of this website and you can see the balance as of your most recent invoice. If you have recently made a payment, the payment will be reflected online within five business days.
23) How do I pay my bill online?
Access My Account to pay your bill online. The My Account bill payment service can reduce paper and saves you time and money. With My Account, you can get paperless invoices, inserts and other communications regarding your Waste Management account and take care of all the transactions online.
24) How do I pay my bill offline?
Pay-by-Phone: Dial 866-WMI-2PAY (866-964-2729) to use the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) to process a payment to your Waste Management account. When you call, please have handy your WM ezPay Account ID or WM Account Number; your zip code; and your invoice number. There is a fee for this service, which varies by area.
In-Person: We also offer a walk-in payment option through our partners at CheckFree Corporation. You can pay your WM invoice at one of the many CheckFree payment centers throughout the United States. To make a payment, simply find a CheckFree payment center near you, select "Waste Management" from the drop-down list in Option 1 and enter your zip code. The cost for this service is $1.00, which is paid directly to CheckFree. You must present either your WM invoice or your full account number and the invoice number.
25) What if there's a problem with my bill?
One of our Customer Service Representatives would be happy to answer any questions you have regarding your bill. Please complete an online inquiry form or call 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
26) What is the Hazardous Waste Fee I see on my bill?
One of our Customer Service Representatives would be happy to answer any questions you have regarding the fees on your bill. Please complete an online inquiry form or call 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
27) What if I have billing questions, who should I contact?
One of our Customer Service Representatives would be happy to answer any questions you have regarding your bill. Please complete an online inquiry form or call 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
30) What if my bill looks wrong, what do I do?
One of our Customer Service Representatives would be happy to answer any questions you have regarding your bill. Please complete anonline inquiry form or call your regional customer service department listed here, or the contact number listed on your invoice.
Reporting a Problem
28) How do I report a missed pickup?
Please click here to contact a Customer Service Representative for your area to report a missed pickup. You can also contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
29) How do I replace a damaged or missing cart?
In general, residents are responsible for the cleaning and security of their garbage, recycling and food/yard carts. If your cart is damaged, destroyed or lost, other than by normal usage, please click here to contact a Customer Service Representative in your area for assistance.
Recycling
31) What happens to my recyclables after they get picked up?
Recyclables are made into many new products, for example, carpet, fleece and decking. If you live east of the 520 bridge, it is more than likely that your recyclables are collected and sent to the Cascade Recycling Center (CRC) in Woodinville Washington. Please visit our Cascade Recycling Center resource page for more details on your recycling. We also provide for public tours.
32) What can I put in my recycling?
Please click here for information on what can and cannot be recycled.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
33) What should I NOT put in my recycling?
Please click here for information on what can and cannot be recycled. Items that are NOT recyclable are listed at the bottom of the guide.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
34) How do I get a recycling guide for posting at home?
Please click here to download and print the guide on what can and cannot be recycled.
35) What if I have extra recyclables that won't fit into my recycling cart, what do I do with them?
If you have any questions about recycling, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
36) How should I prepare my recycling?
Recycling collection varies by area regulations, municipal requirements and processing abilities. To find out about services in your area, enter your zip code in our location finder. Learn more about general recycling practices on our "Recyling do's and don'ts" page. Waste Management tailors recycling programs for each of the municipalities we serve. For this reason, programs may vary not only by area, but by community.
When everyone works together, we can make the best use of our planet's natural resources. When you recycle the products you use every day, like cardboard boxes, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles, you give new life to items that used to be thrown away, saving energy and helping lower greenhouse gas emissions in the process.
37) What if I have questions, who should I contact?
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
38) How can I make recycling easy and fun for my family?
Waste Management produced a series of videos called "Waste Management Joe" to provide helpful recycling tips for your family. Please click here to follow along with the Smith family as they work with Joe to improve their recycling habits. Also, here are some tips to make recycling easy and fun for your family:
Food Scraps & Yard Waste
39) How do I sign up for curbside yard waste and food scrap and food soiled paper collection service?
Availability of yard waste services and certain limitations on what can/cannot go in your yard waste cart depends on your location. Most areas allow food scraps in your yard waste cart. For some, food is not allowed in yard waste collection. Please review your service area's webpage for the exact items allowed before you purchase your service.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
40) What can and cannot go in my yard waste cart?
Please click here for information on what can and cannot be added to your yard waste cart.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
41) What happens to my yard waste, food scraps and food-soiled paper after it gets picked up?
Composting your yard and food waste prevents these valuable resources from being sent to the landfill. By placing your yard waste, food scraps and food-soiled paper in the curbside yard waste cart, these materials are delivered toa regional industrial composting facility and made into compost which you can use for gardening to improve soil health. Close the loop and support our local economy by buying compost at local home improvement and garden stores. Add compost to your yard or garden can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil quality, reduce the need for chemicals and fertilizers and save water.
42) What if I have extra yard waste which will not fit into my yard waste cart, what do I do with it?
Please click here for information on extra yard waste that does not fit in your yard waste cart.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
43) Is compost made from my yard waste good to use in my garden and landscape?
Using compost completes a local recycling loop and supports a sustainable local economy.
Compost is made from locally recycled yard trimmings, food scraps and clean wood waste from residential curbside and commercial collection programs across the region.
45) How can I make food scrap composting easy and not "icky"?
Use a container to put food scraps and food-soiled paper in your kitchen and empty it frequently into the curbside yard waste cart. Some of the container options you can use to put food scraps ad food soiled paper are:
1) Who is Waste Management?
Waste Management is the largest provider of integrated environmental solutions in the Pacific Northwest. Our mission is to maximize resource value, while minimizing environmental impact so that both our economy and our environment can thrive. Waste Management owns and operates the Cascade Recycling Center in Woodinville, and has over 150 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks operating in Seattle, Renton, Kirkland, Auburn, Federal Way, Portland and Spokane. These trucks have 20 percent less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than diesel trucks.
2) How is Waste Management sustainable?
In the Pacific Northwest, Waste Management has over 2,400 employees that are committed to sustainability. In 2010, Waste Management's Greater Wenatchee Landfill earned national recognition by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for creating 140 acres of endangered "shrub-steppe" habitat at our landfill as part of a broader effort to develop biodiversity in the area. Methane gas is collected from Waste Management's Columbia Ridge Landfill and is used to generate electricity, which powers 5,000 homes in Seattle. Our partnerships with over two-thirds of the state's municipalities are helping us achieve statewide sustainability.
3) Fast Facts on WM recycling in the Pacific Northwest
- 2,400 Employees (including the Oak Harbor call center)
- 858,000 Customers
- 24 Collection districts, over 900 routes and over 1,000 trucks
- 5 Recycling facilities
- 3 Single stream material recovery facilities
- 2 Construction and demolition material recovery facilities
Education and Outreach
1) What are some resources for teachers?
Engage your students in one of the most vital conversations of the day: the environment. Inspire them with activities to expand their understanding of issues such as recycling and resource recovery. You'll find an abundance of educational resources on Waste Management's Think Green site, including lesson plans and classroom materials suitable for a wide range of subjects and grade levels. You'll also find teaching activities, video assets, worksheets, puzzles, and more.
2) How does Waste Management make a difference with public education?
Waste Management's Public Education and Outreach team is dedicated to advancing recycling and composting in the Pacific Northwest. Click here to meet the team!
3) Fun facts for students and teachers
- Every year WM recycles enough paper, glass, plastic and metal to fill 133,000 Boeing 737 planes.
- Recycled plastic can turn into lawn furniture, fences, rain boots and fleece.
- It only takes 30 days to make a new glass bottle from recycled glass.
- Every year Waste Management recycles enough paper to save 41 million trees from being cut down.
- Recycling one glass bottle can power a 100-watt light bulb for four hours.
Residential Collection Services
1) What day is my pickup and how do I get my collection calendar showing when my pickup will be?
Click here to find information on your region's service area and pickup times. To request a calendar of your recycling and/or yard waste collection schedule, please click here. You can also call 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm) for assistance.
2) Where and what time do my garbage, recycling or yard waste carts need to be put out for collection?
Collection times may vary as routing schedules change, and so it is very important to have all containers at the street by 6 am. Click here to contact your service area for your pickup time.
Place carts at the curb so that they do not block sidewalks, driveways, public streets, or other rights of way, with the lid opening facing the street. Carts should be at least three feet away from basketball hoops, trees, cars and other containers.
3) What if I have extra garbage which won't fit into my garbage cart, what do I do with it?
Please contact a customer service representative in your area for scheduling and details on additional garbage pickups. In King County Unincorporated Areas there is an additional charge for each extra bag or container (32-gallon, 60 lb. limit) that doesn't fit in your garbage container with the lid closed. If you often have extra garbage, you may want to increase your garbage container size to avoid overflow and extra garbage charges.
4) How do I schedule a dumpster delivery or bulky item pickup? How much does it cost?
Bulky items like mattresses, appliances, console televisions, furniture and building materials can be picked up by special arrangement. Contact WM Customer Service or call the Customer Service Center at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
5) What happens to my garbage?
In the Western Washington, our garbage goes to landfills where it is safely contained. Our landfills are designed and operated under highly regulated guidelines. Each facility employs stringent environmental controls to meet or exceed federal, state and local regulations, and to provide maximum protection for surface and ground water. Please visit our Garbology page for details on garbage.
6) What happens to my recycling?
If you live east of the 520 bridge, it is more than likely that your recyclables are collected and sent to the Cascade Recycling Center (CRC) in Woodinville, Washington. The CRC handles recyclables collected from over 250,000 households in Western Washington and processes 12,000 tons of commingled recyclables and 4,000 tons of construction and demolition materials every month. Please visit our Cascade Recycling Center resource page for more details on your recycling.
7) What happens to my yard waste?
Composting your yard and food waste prevents these valuable resources from being sent to the landfill. By placing your yard waste, food scraps and food-soiled paper in the curbside yard waste cart, these materials are delivered toa regional industrial composting facility and made into compost which you can use for gardening to improve soil health. Close the loop and support our local economy by buying compost at local home improvement and garden stores. Add compost to your yard or garden can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil quality, reduce the need for chemicals and fertilizers and save water.
8) What is the holiday pickup schedule?
Please visit the holiday schedule page.
9) What are my cart size options? How much does each choice cost?
Container sizes and service vary based on your service area. Click here to find the "choose your local service area" drop-down box which will direct you to your service area's sizing and pricing information along with the list of regional customer support phone numbers.
- Please click here for North King County rates.
- Please click here for South King County rates.
- Please click here for North Snohomish County rates.
- Please click here for South Snohomish County rates.
Please note below if there are special circumstances regarding your collection, such as:
- Street difficult to access with collection truck
- Container(s) difficult to see from street
- Disabled service needed
11) What happens when there is a snow storm or an inclement weather event?
Please click here to select your service area and receive local service information regarding weather delays in your area. In addition, we are in the process of adding "Service Alerts" highlighted in yellow on the right hand side of each city's page.
12) What must not be put in garbage?
Please click here to see a list of items that cannot go in your garbage.
Please click here to see a list of items that can go in your garbage.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
13) How do I put a vacation hold on my services?
To suspend or resume your service online - Click here. Or, contact Customer Service here and a service representative will temporarily suspend your waste services. More Details
What do I do with _____________ in Washington State?
14) What do I do with appliances & electronics?
Please click here for information on electronics disposal.
King County residents can use the "What do I do with?" database to find hundreds of businesses and organizations that accept unwanted items from residents and businesses in King County, Washington, for reuse, recycling or proper disposal.
15) What do I do with hazardous waste?
Please click here for information on hazardous waste disposal.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
16) What do I do with medical waste?
Please click here for information on medical waste disposal.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
17) What do I do with light bulbs?
Please click here for information on light bulb recycling and disposal.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
18) What do I do with paint?
Please click here for information on paint disposal.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
19) What do I do with other motor oil and other liquids?
Please click here for information on motor oil disposal.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
20) What do I do with batteries?
You can purchase a BatteryTrackerâ„¢ Recycling Kit from ThinkGreenFromHome.com to safely dispose of unwanted household batteries. This kit contains a box, safety liner and prepaid mailing label. Simply fill the box and, when you're ready, seal and drop it off at your local post office for shipment to our processing center.
Accounts / Billing
21) How can I start/stop service?
If you are interested in becoming a customer of Waste Management, please fill out an online inquiry form or call your regional customer service department listed here to start/stop service.
22) How can I check my account balance?
Go to the My Account section of this website and you can see the balance as of your most recent invoice. If you have recently made a payment, the payment will be reflected online within five business days.
23) How do I pay my bill online?
Access My Account to pay your bill online. The My Account bill payment service can reduce paper and saves you time and money. With My Account, you can get paperless invoices, inserts and other communications regarding your Waste Management account and take care of all the transactions online.
24) How do I pay my bill offline?
Pay-by-Phone: Dial 866-WMI-2PAY (866-964-2729) to use the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) to process a payment to your Waste Management account. When you call, please have handy your WM ezPay Account ID or WM Account Number; your zip code; and your invoice number. There is a fee for this service, which varies by area.
In-Person: We also offer a walk-in payment option through our partners at CheckFree Corporation. You can pay your WM invoice at one of the many CheckFree payment centers throughout the United States. To make a payment, simply find a CheckFree payment center near you, select "Waste Management" from the drop-down list in Option 1 and enter your zip code. The cost for this service is $1.00, which is paid directly to CheckFree. You must present either your WM invoice or your full account number and the invoice number.
25) What if there's a problem with my bill?
One of our Customer Service Representatives would be happy to answer any questions you have regarding your bill. Please complete an online inquiry form or call 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
26) What is the Hazardous Waste Fee I see on my bill?
One of our Customer Service Representatives would be happy to answer any questions you have regarding the fees on your bill. Please complete an online inquiry form or call 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
27) What if I have billing questions, who should I contact?
One of our Customer Service Representatives would be happy to answer any questions you have regarding your bill. Please complete an online inquiry form or call 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
30) What if my bill looks wrong, what do I do?
One of our Customer Service Representatives would be happy to answer any questions you have regarding your bill. Please complete anonline inquiry form or call your regional customer service department listed here, or the contact number listed on your invoice.
Reporting a Problem
28) How do I report a missed pickup?
Please click here to contact a Customer Service Representative for your area to report a missed pickup. You can also contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
29) How do I replace a damaged or missing cart?
In general, residents are responsible for the cleaning and security of their garbage, recycling and food/yard carts. If your cart is damaged, destroyed or lost, other than by normal usage, please click here to contact a Customer Service Representative in your area for assistance.
Recycling
31) What happens to my recyclables after they get picked up?
Recyclables are made into many new products, for example, carpet, fleece and decking. If you live east of the 520 bridge, it is more than likely that your recyclables are collected and sent to the Cascade Recycling Center (CRC) in Woodinville Washington. Please visit our Cascade Recycling Center resource page for more details on your recycling. We also provide for public tours.
32) What can I put in my recycling?
Please click here for information on what can and cannot be recycled.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
33) What should I NOT put in my recycling?
Please click here for information on what can and cannot be recycled. Items that are NOT recyclable are listed at the bottom of the guide.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
34) How do I get a recycling guide for posting at home?
Please click here to download and print the guide on what can and cannot be recycled.
35) What if I have extra recyclables that won't fit into my recycling cart, what do I do with them?
If you have any questions about recycling, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
36) How should I prepare my recycling?
Recycling collection varies by area regulations, municipal requirements and processing abilities. To find out about services in your area, enter your zip code in our location finder. Learn more about general recycling practices on our "Recyling do's and don'ts" page. Waste Management tailors recycling programs for each of the municipalities we serve. For this reason, programs may vary not only by area, but by community.
When everyone works together, we can make the best use of our planet's natural resources. When you recycle the products you use every day, like cardboard boxes, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles, you give new life to items that used to be thrown away, saving energy and helping lower greenhouse gas emissions in the process.
37) What if I have questions, who should I contact?
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
38) How can I make recycling easy and fun for my family?
Waste Management produced a series of videos called "Waste Management Joe" to provide helpful recycling tips for your family. Please click here to follow along with the Smith family as they work with Joe to improve their recycling habits. Also, here are some tips to make recycling easy and fun for your family:
- Place recycling bins in multiple rooms
- Post do's and don'ts near or on bins
- Encourage someone in the family to be the recycling "champion" and help everyone remember to recycle
- Set a goal to reduce the garbage and recycle more.
Food Scraps & Yard Waste
39) How do I sign up for curbside yard waste and food scrap and food soiled paper collection service?
Availability of yard waste services and certain limitations on what can/cannot go in your yard waste cart depends on your location. Most areas allow food scraps in your yard waste cart. For some, food is not allowed in yard waste collection. Please review your service area's webpage for the exact items allowed before you purchase your service.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
40) What can and cannot go in my yard waste cart?
Please click here for information on what can and cannot be added to your yard waste cart.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
41) What happens to my yard waste, food scraps and food-soiled paper after it gets picked up?
Composting your yard and food waste prevents these valuable resources from being sent to the landfill. By placing your yard waste, food scraps and food-soiled paper in the curbside yard waste cart, these materials are delivered toa regional industrial composting facility and made into compost which you can use for gardening to improve soil health. Close the loop and support our local economy by buying compost at local home improvement and garden stores. Add compost to your yard or garden can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil quality, reduce the need for chemicals and fertilizers and save water.
42) What if I have extra yard waste which will not fit into my yard waste cart, what do I do with it?
Please click here for information on extra yard waste that does not fit in your yard waste cart.
If you have any questions, please can contact Customer Service at 800-592-9995 (M-F 7 am - 5 pm, SAT 9 am - 1 pm).
43) Is compost made from my yard waste good to use in my garden and landscape?
Using compost completes a local recycling loop and supports a sustainable local economy.
- Compost helps the ground retain water for longer, reducing water usage
- Compost minimizes erosion
- Compost delivers essential nutrients over an extended period of time for optimal plant growth
Compost is made from locally recycled yard trimmings, food scraps and clean wood waste from residential curbside and commercial collection programs across the region.
45) How can I make food scrap composting easy and not "icky"?
Use a container to put food scraps and food-soiled paper in your kitchen and empty it frequently into the curbside yard waste cart. Some of the container options you can use to put food scraps ad food soiled paper are:
- A paper bag (the bag can be recycle along with the food scraps in your yard waste cart).
- A reusable plastic container or a metal coffee can with a lid (empty contents into your cart and reuse the container).
- Ceramic or stainless steel food scraps collection containers (some offer a carbon filter in them to eliminate odors and you can look for them at retailers in your community).