Olympia Trash Pickup & Garbage Schedule 2026
Olympia trash pickup works best when you check your exact address instead of copying a neighbor’s habit. Inside Olympia city limits, the City of Olympia Waste ReSources utility handles garbage, recycling and organics service. Outside city limits, Thurston County says residents should contact the waste hauler for their service area, such as LeMay Pacific Disposal in many nearby north Thurston County areas.
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Quick Answer for Olympia Residents
To find your Olympia trash pickup schedule in 2026, use the City of Olympia Garbage & Recycling page and the “My Schedule” / Recycle Coach tools. They show your address-based collection calendar and can send reminders. For missed pickup or a broken cart, the City points residents to Utility Billing at 360-753-8340. For collection service questions, Waste ReSources Dispatch is listed at 360-753-8368 option 2.
Use My Schedule
Olympia’s exact pickup day and cart week depend on your service address, so the official lookup is the safest first step.
6 AM ready
Olympia holiday guidance says carts should be out by 6 a.m. because crews may arrive earlier than normal on holidays.
Not in recycle cart
Olympia’s accepted materials list says glass bottles and jars are not accepted in the recycle cart. Use drop-off or garbage.
Check hauler
Thurston County does not provide curbside collection directly. Contact the provider serving your area.
Write these two numbers on your fridge: 360-753-8340 for missed pickup or broken cart questions, and 360-753-8368 option 2 for Waste ReSources Dispatch questions such as bulky items, multifamily service or extra collection.
Olympia Trash Pickup Schedule 2026: How to Find Your Collection Day
Searches like “Olympia trash pickup schedule,” “Olympia garbage pickup calendar,” and “City of Olympia collection calendar 2026” all have the same practical answer: use the official address-based schedule or Recycle Coach before putting carts out. Olympia publishes a 2026 collection calendar, but the easiest resident workflow is to check your exact address and turn on reminders.
- Open the City’s Garbage & Recycling page. Use the official Olympia page instead of an old screenshot or a neighbor’s calendar.
- Use “My Schedule” or Recycle Coach. Search your service address and confirm your next garbage, recycling and organics dates.
- Check which cart goes out. Garbage, recycling and organics do not all mean the same thing. Use the calendar before setting out extra carts.
- Set reminders. Recycle Coach can help with collection reminders, service alerts and “What Goes Where” item searches.
- Check holidays, weather and cart tags. Olympia usually collects on holidays, but carts may need to be out earlier and tags can tell you what went wrong.
If your printed calendar says 2025, use it only as a clue. For 2026, check the City page or Recycle Coach because collection weeks, closures, notices and drop-off options can change.
City of Olympia vs Thurston County vs LeMay: Who Picks Up My Trash?
This is the biggest local confusion. “Olympia, WA” can mean inside city limits, an Olympia mailing address outside city limits, an apartment or condo, or unincorporated Thurston County. The collection provider controls the schedule.
| Where you live | Likely pickup path | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Inside City of Olympia service area | City of Olympia Waste ReSources | Use My Schedule / Recycle Coach and call 360-753-8340 for missed pickup or broken cart. |
| Apartment, condo or multifamily property in Olympia | City service may still apply, but containers and pickup points are building-managed | Ask the property manager where carts are located and call Dispatch at 360-753-8368 option 2 for service issues. |
| Olympia mailing address outside city limits | Private hauler or nearby service-area provider | Check Thurston County’s hauler table or your utility/HOA bill before using City rules. |
| Lacey, Tumwater, north Thurston County or other nearby areas | Often LeMay Pacific Disposal or another listed provider | Use the hauler’s schedule, app and customer service phone number. |
Olympia Cart Placement Rules: Make the Truck Arm’s Job Easy
Olympia uses mechanical-arm collection, so cart placement is part of your pickup schedule. A correct calendar cannot help if the cart is blocked, overfilled or facing the wrong way.
Correct Olympia cart setup
- Place the cart near the curb or edge of the road.
- Point the handle toward the house.
- Leave at least 3 feet of clearance on each side.
- Keep sidewalks and bike lanes clear whenever possible.
- Keep all garbage, recycling and organics inside the cart with the lid closed.
- Bring carts back after collection so sidewalks and streets stay clear.
Common reasons carts get tagged
- Cart blocked by a parked car, mailbox, pole, tree, snow pile or construction material.
- Cart placed in a bike lane when another safe curb option exists.
- Lid open because the cart is overfilled.
- Overflow bags without pre-purchased overflow tags.
- Recycling in plastic bags or filled with glass bottles.
- Hazardous waste, paint, oil or solvents placed in garbage, recycling or organics carts.
Olympia says all materials must fit inside the cart with the lid closed. For extra garbage, pre-purchase an overflow tag by calling 360-753-8340. Extra recycling should go to the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center instead of being piled beside the cart.
Olympia Garbage Cart Sizes, Rates and Extra Bag Help
Olympia residential rates are billed on the bi-monthly utility bill. Cart size matters because a too-small cart can lead to overflow tags, extra pickup charges or messy collection days.
| Service / cart | Current listed rate or note | Resident decision |
|---|---|---|
| 20-gallon garbage | $27.62 with or without recycling | Best for very low-waste households that use recycling and organics well. |
| 35-gallon garbage | $47.70 with recycling / $59.80 without recycling | Good standard small-family option. |
| 65-gallon garbage | $65.10 with recycling / $81.62 without recycling | Better for families that regularly fill a 35-gallon cart. |
| 95-gallon garbage | $112.80 with recycling / $141.38 without recycling | Use only if your household truly needs the extra garbage capacity. |
| 35, 65 or 95-gallon recycling | No fee listed | Upgrade recycling capacity before overfilling the cart. |
| 35 or 95-gallon organics | $23.02 listed | Useful for food scraps, yard waste and food-soiled paper if you want less garbage. |
| Overflow garbage tag | $6.79 listed | Use for extra garbage bags only after pre-purchasing the tag. |
Olympia Recycling Pickup: What Goes in the Blue Cart?
Olympia recycling is not the same as “anything with a recycle symbol.” The accepted materials list is very specific: recyclables should be empty, rinsed when needed, loose in the cart, and free of lids and caps where the list says to throw them away.
Generally accepted
- Plastic bottles 8 oz and larger.
- Plastic buckets and jugs such as milk or laundry jugs.
- Dairy and coffee tubs, except clear tubs.
- Aluminum cans and metal cans, no lids.
- Newspaper, mail, office paper and magazines.
- Cardboard boxes and corrugated cardboard, flattened.
Common recycling mistakes
- Glass bottles and jars.
- Plastic bags or bagged recycling.
- Lids, caps and tops.
- Food or liquid in containers.
- Shredded paper where the accepted list directs it to garbage.
- Electronics, batteries and hazardous waste.
Olympia says glass is not accepted in the recycle cart. Use a glass drop-off location or put glass bottles and jars in the garbage if you cannot drop them off.
| Glass drop-off option | Address / note | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| City drop-off site | 1000 10th Ave SE — listed as open 24/7 | Quick city glass drop-off when available. |
| Yauger Park | 503 Alta St SW | Westside glass drop-off option. |
| Concrete Recyclers | 2935 Black Lake Blvd SW — listed Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. | Use during business hours. |
| Waste and Recovery Center | 2420 Hogum Bay Rd NE, Lacey — listed daily, 8 a.m.–4:45 p.m. | Good when combining glass with other drop-off materials. |
Olympia Organics and Yard Waste Pickup
Olympia offers curbside organics and yard waste collection. The City says residents can sign up by calling 360-753-8340. The Saturday Drop-off closure page also explains that the green cart is emptied every other week on Monday for subscribers.
Food and plant material
Olympia’s accepted list includes yard and plant waste, food-soiled paper, food waste, plate scrapings, fruits, vegetables, bread, pasta, rice, dairy, eggs, meat, bones, seafood shells, coffee grounds, filters and tea bags.
Branches and leaves
Grass, branches, leaves, plants and flowers belong in organics when they fit the accepted material rules.
Rainy-season tip
Keep food scraps in a fridge or freezer until close to collection day, keep lids closed, rinse pails and use baking soda if odors build up.
Olympia Bulk Trash, Large Items and Extra Pickup
Large items do not automatically go out with the normal cart. Olympia’s multifamily page says furniture, mattresses and similar bulky items can fill dumpsters, damage compactors and require special handling. Residents should donate usable items, self-haul to the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center for a fee, or contact Dispatch at 360-753-8368 option 2 for bulky pickup guidance.
| Item / situation | Likely Olympia path | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| Sofa, chair, mattress, box spring, dresser, rolls of carpet | Bulky item pickup or WARC drop-off | Call Dispatch first; do not block dumpsters or cart pickup areas. |
| Microwave, washer, dryer, non-refrigerated appliance | Special handling / fee | Call 360-753-8368 option 2 for current pickup fee and preparation instructions. |
| Freezer, refrigerator or air conditioner | Not picked up under the listed multifamily bulky program | Ask Dispatch or use an approved appliance recycler because refrigerant items need special handling. |
| Construction debris, concrete, dirt, rocks or sod | Drop box, WARC or private disposal | Do not put these in regular carts. Olympia drop boxes also exclude several heavy or hazardous materials. |
| Paints, solvents, motor oil, asbestos or hazardous material | HazoHouse / special disposal | Use Thurston County HazoHouse rather than regular garbage, recycling, organics or drop boxes. |
Do not leave mattresses, sofas or appliances beside a shared dumpster unless the property manager has arranged pickup. Olympia says bulky items require special handling and can damage compactors.
Olympia Holiday Trash Pickup 2026
Unlike many cities that delay collection for every major holiday, Olympia’s holiday closure page says residential and commercial garbage, recycling and organics will be collected based on the regular schedule. The practical change is timing: crews may arrive earlier than normal, so set carts out by 6 a.m. to avoid a missed pickup.
Regular schedule
Use your normal collection calendar unless the City posts a service notice or weather issue.
Out by 6 a.m.
Set carts out early because crews may arrive earlier than normal on holidays.
Rules may differ
If LeMay or another hauler serves your home, follow that hauler’s holiday schedule instead of Olympia’s City rule.
Missed Pickup, Broken Cart or Tagged Cart in Olympia
Before reporting a missed Olympia trash pickup, check timing, cart placement, overflow, holiday service and contamination. If you are a City customer and the pickup truly appears missed, call Utility Billing at 360-753-8340. Multifamily properties can also use Waste ReSources Dispatch at 360-753-8368 option 2.
Self-check list
- Was the cart out by 6 a.m.?
- Was it the correct cart for your address schedule?
- Was the handle facing the house?
- Was there 3 feet of clearance on each side?
- Was the lid fully closed?
- Was anything placed outside the cart without a tag or arrangement?
- Did the cart receive a written tag or notice?
What to change next time
- Remove glass from the recycling cart.
- Keep plastic bags out of recycling.
- Use HazoHouse for hazardous waste.
- Call before setting out bulky items.
- Use an overflow tag for extra garbage.
- Move carts away from parked cars and bike lanes.
Olympia Drop-Off Options: WARC, HazoHouse, Glass and Closed Saturday Site
The old Olympia Saturday Drop-off Site is permanently closed, with the City pointing residents to alternatives such as the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center, organics subscription service, and temporary or permanent containers. Glass drop-off has been extended further into 2026 while options are explored.
| Drop-off / service | Location / hours | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center | 2420 Hogum Bay Road NE, Lacey. Garbage side listed Mon–Fri 7 a.m.–4:45 p.m.; Sat–Sun 8 a.m.–4:45 p.m. | Garbage, recycling, yard debris, extra cardboard, glass and self-haul options. |
| HazoHouse | 2420 Hogum Bay Road NE, Lacey. Listed daily 8 a.m.–4:45 p.m.; south entrance. | Household hazardous waste such as paint, chemicals, oil, batteries and solvents. |
| City glass drop-off locations | City drop-off site, Yauger Park, Concrete Recyclers and WARC. | Glass bottles and jars that should not go in the recycle cart. |
| Rainier and Rochester drop-box facilities | County drop-box facilities with specific days and load limits. | Residents in those service areas; larger loads may be redirected to WARC. |
Christmas Tree Pickup and Holiday Tree Recycling
Thurston County’s holiday tree notice says City of Olympia garbage customers with Tuesday/Wednesday service had a January 10 tree pickup, while Thursday/Friday customers had a January 17 pickup. Trees needed to be placed at the regular garbage pickup spot by 6 a.m., and trees over 6 feet needed to be cut in half. Because annual tree dates change, search “Christmas tree” in the county directory or check the newest City/County notice after the holidays.
Remove decorations
Remove ornaments, lights, stands, nails and tinsel before drop-off or pickup.
Over 6 feet
Cut tall trees in half when the annual notice requires it.
Ask manager
Apartment and condo residents should check with the property manager for tree placement.
Daily Olympia Pickup Tools: Save This Page
These quick helpers turn the page into a reusable resident checklist. Use them the night before pickup, when a cart is tagged, when you have extra garbage, or when you are not sure whether an item belongs in recycling, organics, garbage, HazoHouse or WARC.
Official Olympia and Thurston County Links
Use the right link for the problem. Pickup day, missed pickup, glass, HazoHouse, WARC, bulky items and private hauler questions are different tasks.
Related Trash-Pickup.org Guides
These internal links are included only where they help the reader compare nearby Washington collection logic or use sitewide pickup tools.
Reader Intent Coverage
This guide covers the practical questions behind searches like Olympia trash pickup schedule, Olympia garbage collection calendar, City of Olympia garbage pickup, Olympia recycling schedule, Olympia Recycle Coach, Olympia yard waste pickup, Olympia bulk trash pickup, Olympia missed pickup, Olympia glass recycling, Olympia dump, Olympia transfer station, HazoHouse Olympia, and Olympia trash pickup holiday schedule. Each intent is answered as a task: find the schedule, identify the provider, sort the item, place the cart, report the problem, or use the correct drop-off facility.
Address first
Residents are directed to My Schedule and Recycle Coach instead of a generic citywide answer.
Glass and organics solved
The page explains glass drop-off, blue-cart mistakes and organics sign-up in plain language.
Missed, bulk and HHW routed
Residents get the right phone numbers and drop-off options without confusing cart pickup with special disposal.
Olympia Trash Pickup FAQ
How do I find my Olympia trash pickup schedule?
Use the City of Olympia Garbage & Recycling page and the “My Schedule” / Recycle Coach tools. Enter your service address to confirm your pickup dates and reminders.
What is the City of Olympia garbage pickup phone number?
For missed pickup or broken cart questions, call Utility Billing at 360-753-8340. For Waste ReSources Dispatch and bulky or multifamily service questions, use 360-753-8368 option 2.
Does Olympia collect garbage on holidays?
Olympia’s holiday page says residential and commercial garbage, recycling and organics will be collected based on the regular schedule. Put carts out by 6 a.m. because crews may arrive earlier than normal.
Is glass accepted in Olympia recycling carts?
No. Olympia’s accepted materials list says glass is not accepted in the recycle cart. Use a glass drop-off site or put glass bottles and jars in the garbage if you cannot drop them off.
Can I put plastic bags in the Olympia recycling cart?
No. Recyclables should be loose, and plastic bags should stay out of the blue cart. Bagged recycling can cause contamination and collection problems.
How far apart should Olympia carts be?
Olympia says to leave at least 3 feet of clearance on each side so the mechanical arm can reach the cart safely.
Where do I take hazardous waste in Olympia?
Use Thurston County HazoHouse at the Waste and Recovery Center, 2420 Hogum Bay Road NE in Lacey. It is listed as free for people living in Thurston County.
Where is the Olympia dump or transfer station?
The main county facility used by Olympia-area residents is the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center at 2420 Hogum Bay Road NE in Lacey.
Does Thurston County pick up curbside garbage?
Thurston County says it does not provide or oversee curbside waste collection services. Residents should contact the service provider in their area.
How do I schedule bulky item pickup in Olympia?
Do not place large items beside carts without arranging service. Call Waste ReSources Dispatch at 360-753-8368 option 2, ask your property manager if you live in multifamily housing, or self-haul accepted items to the Waste and Recovery Center for a fee.
What happened to the Olympia Saturday Drop-off Site?
The City says the Saturday Drop-off Site is permanently closed due to the sale of the property. Alternatives include the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center, organics collection service, and temporary or permanent containers.
Is Trash-Pickup.org the City of Olympia?
No. Trash-Pickup.org is an independent resident help guide. Use the City of Olympia, Thurston County, LeMay or your property manager for live service decisions, billing, official notices and emergency changes.
Final Olympia Resident Summary
For Olympia trash pickup in 2026, check your address in the City’s My Schedule / Recycle Coach tools, then set the correct cart out by 6 a.m. with the handle facing the house and 3 feet of clearance on each side. Keep glass out of recycling, keep hazardous waste out of every cart, and call before putting out bulky items.
If you live outside Olympia city limits, use the Thurston County hauler table or your private hauler/HOA schedule. For self-haul, use the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center in Lacey. For paint, oil, chemicals, batteries and similar materials, use HazoHouse.
Franklin TN Trash Tools
Holiday calculator | Buck-A-Bag counter | Recycling checker
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