Seattle takes recycling seriously — and so should you. The city’s recycling rules aren’t suggestions. They’re built to keep contamination out of the waste stream, keep costs down, and make sure what you toss in the blue bin actually gets recycled.
Get it right, and you’re helping keep Seattle clean. Get it wrong — tossing in plastic bags or greasy takeout containers — and you’re gumming up the system for everyone.
Here’s what Seattle residents need to know about recycling, composting, and what goes where.
Residential Recycling Rules in Seattle
The Problem with “Wishful Recycling”
We’ve all done it — tossed something in the recycling bin thinking “this probably counts.” Seattle even has a name for it: wishful recycling. The problem? Items like sandwich bags and greasy pizza boxes jam up sorting machines at recycling facilities. And with many countries now rejecting contaminated recyclables from the US, keeping your bin clean matters more than ever.
The rule is simple: when in doubt, leave it out. Here’s what actually belongs in your recycling bin.
Aluminum and Tin Cans
- Clean aluminum foil and trays — recyclable only if free of food residue. If you can’t scrub it clean, toss it in the garbage.
- Soda cans and metal food cans — empty and rinsed. That’s it.
Plastic
- Accepted plastics: cleaned plant pots (no soil), plastic cups, shampoo bottles, household cleaner bottles, detergent bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs.
- Water bottles: recyclable — just empty and rinse them first.
Paper Products
- Accepted: newspapers, mail (windowed envelopes are fine), cereal boxes (remove plastic liners), frozen food boxes, paperback books, phone books, magazines, catalogs, non-foil wrapping paper, juice boxes, broth containers, milk and ice cream cartons, paper cups.
- Watch out: no foil or cellophane wrapping paper.
Cardboard
- Plain cardboard only — no waxy or plastic coating. Max size: 3 ft. x 3 ft.
- Remove all tape before tossing it in.
Glass Jars and Bottles
- All colors accepted — but they must be unbroken and clean. Broken glass goes in the garbage, not the recycling bin.
Metal
- Metal items under 35 pounds and smaller than 2 ft. x 2 ft. can be recycled — things like small metal tools or appliance parts.
What Should You Compost in Seattle?
Seattle’s composting program goes beyond banana peels and coffee grounds. Here’s what belongs in the green bin — and what doesn’t.
Food and Food-Soiled Paper
- The basics: food scraps, food-soiled paper towels, napkins, and cardboard all go in the compost.
- Layering tip: alternate food scraps with yard waste and paper. This speeds up decomposition and keeps odors and pests under control.
- Maintenance: turn the pile once a month with a hayfork or shovel to keep it aerated.
- Keep out: plastics, glass, metal, liquid waste, cooking oil, fruit stickers, pet waste, and litter.
Yard Waste
- Grass clippings and leaves break down fast and add nutrients.
- Pruning remnants — twigs, small branches, and roots are fine. Break them into smaller pieces first.
Food Scraps
- Yes: fruit and veggie scraps, bread, pasta, grains, eggshells, nutshells, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags.
- No: meats, poultry, fish, bones, and dairy. These attract pests — even in animal-proof containers, the smell draws them in.
Food-Soiled Paper
- Greasy pizza boxes can’t be recycled, but they’re great for composting. Remove plastic trays and condiment packets first.
- Paper towels and napkins — compostable as long as they’re free of cleaning chemicals.
- Shredded paper and uncoated paper plates (no shiny surface) can go in the compost in small amounts.
Note: The regional composting facility does not accept compostable plates, cups, and utensils — they don’t break down fast enough. Your personal backyard compost bin can handle them, though.
What Shouldn’t Go in Your Seattle Recycling Bin?
Knowing what to keep out is just as important as knowing what goes in. Here are the most common offenders.
Plastics
- Preformed plastic packaging and takeout containers — wrong material composition, too contaminated.
- Styrofoam and polystyrene — packing peanuts, cups, egg cartons. None of it goes in the blue bin. Reuse packing materials when you can, or break down styrofoam blocks as makeshift packing peanuts.
- Plastic bags and dry cleaner bags — not accepted in curbside recycling, but you can drop them off at specific locations. Check the Seattle guidelines for drop-off spots.
Paper Products
- Disposable diapers and contaminated paper — hygiene issues make these a hard no.
- Ribbons, foil wrapping paper, and wax-coated cardboard — garbage, not recycling.
- Hardback books — donate these to a local charity or school instead of tossing them.
Glass and Ceramics
- Mirrors, window glass, and broken glass — dispose of safely, but not in the recycling bin.
- Ceramics and incandescent bulbs — not recyclable. CFLs need special disposal because of mercury content.
Aluminum and Tin
- Aerosol cans — often recyclable when completely empty.
- Paint cans — solidify leftover paint with kitty litter or paint hardener before tossing in the garbage.
Metal
- Sharp or greasy metal, metal caps, and lids — keep these out of the bin.
- Clothes hangers and small appliances — donate them instead.
Other Non-Recyclable Items
- Garden hoses and light strings — they tangle in recycling machinery. Garbage only.
- Pet waste and litter — double bag and tie shut before disposal.
- Damaged textiles — don’t throw them away. Even clothes and linens that can’t be donated get recycled into industrial wiping cloths, carpet padding, and insulation.
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What Doesn’t Belong in Regular Garbage Either
Some items are too hazardous or too recyclable for the regular garbage can. These need special handling.
Batteries
- Alkaline, rechargeable, and vehicle batteries all need special disposal.
- Drop them off at a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility or visit Call2Recycle for convenient drop-off locations.
Sharps and Medical Waste
- Needles and sharp medical instruments are illegal to dispose of through normal waste services in Washington state.
- Find safe disposal locations through the King County website.
Electronics
- Computers, monitors, TVs, and cell phones all need recycling — not the garbage.
- Check the Take it Back Network for drop-off options.
Large Appliances
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers
- Stoves, ranges, and furnaces
Mattresses
Mattresses don’t fit in any curbside bin — and most waste haulers won’t touch them. We haul mattresses, appliances, and other oversized items every day. We run a full fleet (not a single truck), so we can handle big loads and get to you fast — often same-day. No appliance surcharges.
Mercury-Containing Products
- Fluorescent bulbs and tubes — including “green-tipped,” “low mercury,” and CFL bulbs. Contact Light Recycle Washington for disposal.
- Mercury switches, thermometers, and thermostats — these need hazardous waste handling.
Not sure about a specific item? Visit the How Do I Get Rid of…? tool from King County to look it up.
Other Items Needing Special Disposal
| Item | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Furniture | Donate or call a junk removal service |
| Old carpet and scraps | Special pickup required |
| Hot tubs | Too large for curbside — call us |
| Old tires | Tire shops or hazardous waste facility |
| TVs | Electronics recycling (Take it Back Network) |
| Lumber | Construction debris hauler or transfer station |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put plastic bags in my Seattle recycling bin?
No. Plastic bags tangle in sorting machinery and shut down recycling lines. Drop them off at designated collection points instead — most grocery stores have bins near the entrance. Check the Seattle guidelines for locations.
What happens if I put the wrong item in recycling?
Contaminated items can cause an entire load to be rejected and sent to the landfill. One greasy pizza box or plastic bag can ruin a batch. When in doubt, put it in the garbage or compost instead.
Does Junk B Gone recycle what they haul away?
Yes — about 80% of what we haul is recycled or donated. Usable items go to Second Spark — our nonprofit partner dedicated to giving these items a second life. What can’t be reused gets sorted for responsible disposal.
How do I get rid of large items that don’t fit in any bin?
That’s exactly what we do. Mattresses, appliances, furniture, yard debris, construction waste — we haul it all. Our trucks hold nearly 2x what most junk haulers carry, so we can usually handle everything in one trip. Call (206) 722-4285 for a free estimate.
Is there a minimum charge for junk removal?
Our minimum is $99 in the Seattle area. We give you one all-inclusive price — no hidden fees, no appliance surcharges.
Sources: seattle.gov, kingcounty.gov
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