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Recycling

Note: The Tacoma City Council passed Ordinance No. 28623 on Tuesday, Oct. 29, approving changes to the City of Tacoma’s residential curbside recycling program. Visit our Recycling Changes web page to learn more.

 

The City of Tacoma offers curbside recycling service to residents, multi-family tenants, and commercial customers. We are committed to sustainably managing our waste streams so that we send less waste to the landfill.

 

Note: Residential curbside glass collection will be replaced with five drop-off stations throughout the city. Regular curbside glass collection will continue until these locations are finalized in early 2020. The flyers below were created in anticipation of these glass collection changes.

 

Recycling Flyers

The following recycling flyers are available to view, print, or download:

 

What Goes Where?

Residential customers can learn how to responsibly manage their waste using our new Recycle Coach "What Goes Where" tool! Use the search bar below to quickly and easily access disposal instructions and resources for thousands of items here in Tacoma.

 

Why Recycle Right?

Simply, it matters. Entire loads of recyclables are at risk of not being recycled if they contain just a fraction of garbage or dirty items. Recycling right prevents waste from entering our landfills and environment, creates green jobs, and supports sustainable manufacturing. All of this helps us achieve healthy neighborhoods in Tacoma and a thriving Puget Sound. Please recycle right so your efforts don’t go to waste. Empty, clean, and dry. It matters.


I live in a single-family home or duplex

Download our recycling flyer to learn what is accepted for curbside recycling in Tacoma.

 

Contact a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100 or solidwaste@cityoftacoma.org to setup your recycling service.

 

Rates: Currently, Tacoma provides co-mingled and glass recycling service at no extra charge as part of your monthly garbage bill.

 

Notice: The Tacoma City Council City recently approved changes to the residential recycling program. Visit our Recycling Changes web page to learn more.

 

Collection Schedule: Download the Recycle Coach mobile app, or visit our Collection Schedule web page to learn when to set out your bin.

 

Setout Guidelines:

  • Set out your bin by 7 AM on your scheduled  collection day.
  • Place your bin's wheels toward the curb.
  • Position your bin at least four feet from any obstructions such as other bins, vehicles, telephone poles, fences, and buildings.
  • Remove your bin from the curb once the contents are collected.

DO NOT: 

  • Overfill your bin.
  • Set items outside of your bin.

Call a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100 if your recycle bin is not picked up.

 

I live in a multi-family home (triplex or larger)

Download our recycling flyer to learn what belongs in your shared recycling bin.

 

Recycle Right Resources: 
Recycling Flyer
Recycle Right Moving Guide (Coming Soon)

 

My building does not offer curbside recycling: 
Start the conversation! Talk to your property manager or HOA board on why recycling is important to you. They can set up a recycling program by contacting a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100 or solidwaste@cityoftacoma.org.

 

My building needs help with our existing recycling program: 
We’re here to help! Your property manager or HOA board can contact our Multi-family Recycling Specialist for technical support on your building-wide recycling program. 

 

Technical support includes: 

  • Continuous waste audits and evaluation of service
  • Recycling flyers for staff and residents 
  • Recycling presentations from City staff
  • Large weather proof recycling posters
  • Free recycling tote bags 

I manage a multi-family property (triplex or larger)

The City of Tacoma offers multi-family properties commercial commingle cardboard, and glass curbside recycling as a part of our commitment to creating a clean and healthy environment.

 

Contact a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100 or solidwaste@cityoftacoma.org to set up a recycling program.

 

If you need help with your recycling program, contact our Multi-Family Recycling Specialist for technical support.

 

Technical support includes: 

  • Continuous waste audits and evaluation of service
  • Recycling flyers for staff and residents 
  • Recycling presentations by City staff
  • Large weather proof recycling posters
  • Free recycling tote bags 

Rates: Learn about rates for commercial recycling, garbage, and yard and food waste on our Rates web page.

 

Collection Schedule: Multi-family collection schedules vary by your location and recycling service. Contact a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100 or solidwaste@cityoftacoma.org to learn about your collection schedule. 

 

Setout Guidelines: 

  • Set out your bin by 6 AM on your scheduled collection day.
  • Set the bin's wheels toward the curb.
  • Position your bin at least four feet from any obstructions, such as other bins, vehicles, telephone poles, fences, and buildings.
  • Remove your bin from the curb once the contents are collected.

DO NOT: 

  • Overfill your bin.
  • Place items outside of your bin.

Call a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100 if your recycle bin is not picked up. 

I manage a commercial property (business)

The City of Tacoma offers local businesses commercial commingle cardboard, and glass curbside recycling as a part of our commitment to creating a clean and healthy environment.

 

Contact a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100 or solidwaste@cityoftacoma.org to set up a recycling program or request technical support.

 

Rates: Learn about rates for commercial recycling, garbage, and yard and food waste on our Rates web page.

 

Collection Schedule: Commercial collection schedules varies by your location and recycling service. Contact a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100 or solidwaste@cityoftacoma.org to learn about your collection schedule. 

 

Setout Guidelines: 

  • Set out your bin by 6 AM on your scheduled collection day.
  • Set the bin's wheels toward the curb.
  • Position your bin at least four feet from any obstructions, such as other bins, vehicles, telephone poles, fences, and buildings.
  • Remove your bin from the curb once the contents are collected.

DO NOT: 

  • Overfill your bin.
  • Place items outside of your bin.

Call a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100 if your recycle bin is not picked up.

The Tacoma Recycle Center
Drop-off recycling is available to residents for free at the Tacoma Recycle Center. You can drop off any recyclable items, including those that cannot be recycled in curbside bins due to size or type of material. All recyclables must be separated.

Location:
Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center
3510 S. Mullen St.
Tacoma, WA 98402

 

Schedule a group tour:
Call (253) 573-2426

 

Hours: Seven days a week: 8 AM-6 PM (Except New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day)

Frequently Asked Recycling Questions

 

Where Does Our Recycling Go?

Commingled recycling collected by the City of Tacoma is sorted at JMK Fibers. This facility, located in the Tacoma Tideflats, uses both state-of-the art equipment and people to sort items and remove any garbage. Once sorted, the recyclables are baled, sold, and turned into new products. JMK Fibers is owned and operated by Waste Management, Inc. Recyclables that are collected at the Tacoma Recycle Center are pre-sorted as they are placed into the bins there. Then, the items are baled, sold, and turned into new products. 

 

How do the new international regulations on recycling affect Tacoma?
The majority of Tacoma’s recyclables are sold overseas, mainly in Asia. Many countries that import recyclables adopted strict policies regarding material quality. Materials that do not meet these requirements are rejected. There is low-to-no tolerance for dirty or improperly sorted items. More than ever, it’s important to emphasize quality over quantity and the need for clean recyclables. As a result of the new policies, the City of Tacoma, as well as many recycling programs across the United States, is facing increased costs to maintain its recycling program. 

Who do I contact for questions about recycling in Tacoma?
Contact Solid Waste Management at (253) 502-2100 or solidwaste@cityoftacoma.org.