Trash & Recycling in Bellevue, WA (2026)
5 verified trash & recycling rules for Bellevue, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Recycling Requirements
Bellevue Municipal Code designates eight material categories that count as recyclable under city law: newspaper, mixed paper, aluminum containers, glass containers, bi-metal containers, PET plastic bottles, yard waste and scrap nonferrous metals. The city administers collection through its contracted hauler rather than a separate residential mandate.
Bellevue Designated Recyclable Materials
Some RestrictionsBellevue Municipal Code § 9.26.030
A. Pursuant to RCW 70.95.030, the city designates the following materials as recyclable materials: 1. Newspaper; 2. Mixed paper; 3. Aluminum containers; 4. Glass containers; 5. Bi-metal containers; 6. PET plastic bottles; 7. Yard waste; 8. Scrap nonferrous metals. B. Other materials may be administratively designated as recyclable as markets become available and as the net cost of collecting an...
Illegal Dumping
Bellevue's Anti-Litter Code, BCC 9.11.030, bans throwing or depositing litter on streets, sidewalks, private property, parks or waterways. Construction sites must contain their debris, and finding three or more identifiable pieces of litter creates a legal presumption the source is responsible. Violations are civil infractions or a misdemeanor.
Bellevue Illegal Dumping and Litter Law
Some RestrictionsBellevue City Code §§ 9.11.030(A)-(B), 9.11.140
A. Deposit in Public Places. No person shall throw or deposit litter in or upon any street, sidewalk, or other public place within the city except in litter receptacles or in official county transfer stations. B. Deposit on Private Property. No person shall throw or deposit litter on any private property within the city, whether owned by such person or not... 9.11.140 B. Any violation of any pr...
Yard Waste Collection
Bellevue bars residents from mixing yard waste into garbage or recycling containers. Yard debris (grass, leaves, weeds, and branches under four inches thick and five feet long) must go out separately in approved containers through the city's yard waste collection program or the hauler will not pick it up.
Bellevue Yard Waste Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsBellevue Municipal Code § 9.26.050
“Yard waste” as used herein, shall mean and include all loose materials such as sod, grass, weeds, flowers, leaves, etc., as well as branches and prunings less than four inches in diameter and five feet in length. It excludes food waste; plastics and synthetic fibers; lumber; and any wood or tree limbs over four inches in diameter or five feet in length and soil contaminated with hazardous wast...
Dumpster Rules
BCC 9.11.060 requires every dumpster and drop box in Bellevue to carry a lid that stays closed to keep out animals and prevent litter from scattering, and bars anyone from using a business's or multifamily building's dumpster without that owner's permission. A dumpster holds 1.25 to 8 cubic yards; a drop box holds 10 to 30.
Bellevue Dumpster and Drop Box Standards
Some RestrictionsBellevue City Code § 9.11.060
A. Persons placing litter in dumpsters or drop boxes shall do so in such a manner as to prevent the litter from being carried or deposited by the elements onto any street, sidewalk or other public property or onto any other private property. B. No person shall deposit litter in any dumpster or drop box designated for the sole use by a business or multifamily residence unless that person or indi...
Recycling Rules
Bellevue designates eight materials, including newspaper, mixed paper, aluminum, glass, PET bottles, and yard waste, as recyclable under BCC 9.26.030, runs its own solid waste system separate from King County, and bars mixing yard waste into trash or recycling bins.
Bellevue Recyclable Materials Rules
Some RestrictionsBellevue City Code § 9.26.030(A)
A. Pursuant to RCW 70.95.030, the city designates the following materials as recyclable materials: 1. Newspaper; 2. Mixed paper; 3. Aluminum containers; 4. Glass containers; 5. Bi-metal containers; 6. PET plastic bottles; 7. Yard waste; 8. Scrap nonferrous metals.
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bellevue city rules.
Trash & Recycling in King County →