Recycling Requirements: Kent vs Seattle
How do recycling requirements rules compare between Kent, WA and Seattle, WA?
Kent has fewer restrictions than Seattle.
Kent, WA
King County
Kent provides curbside recycling to all single-family residences at no extra charge. Accepted items include paper, cardboard, glass bottles, metal cans, and plastic bottles and tubs per Republic Services guidelines.
View full Kent rules →Seattle, WA
King County
Seattle mandates comprehensive recycling and composting under SMC 21.36 with a goal of zero waste, requiring separation of recyclables and food waste from garbage for all residents and businesses with enforcement through contamination checks and fines.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Kent | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free with garbage subscription | - |
| Accepted | Paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastic 1-5 | - |
| Not Accepted | Plastic bags, Styrofoam, electronics | - |
| Yard Waste | Separate green cart, weekly in season | - |
| Mandatory Materials | - | Paper, glass, metal, approved plastics, food scraps, yard waste |
| Garbage Bans | - | Recyclables, food waste, yard waste, appliances, electronics, tires |
| City Goal | - | 70% recycling/composting diversion rate |
| Commercial Penalty | - | Up to $50 per occurrence for recycling violations |
| Composting | - | Mandatory for all residents and businesses |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Kent FAQ
Can I recycle plastic bags in my Kent recycling cart?
No. Plastic bags jam the sorting machinery and are not accepted in curbside carts. Return clean plastic bags and film to grocery store drop-off bins like Safeway or Fred Meyer.
Do I need to separate glass in Kent?
No. Kent uses single-stream recycling, so glass bottles and jars go in the same cart as paper, metal, and plastic. Rinse them first to avoid contamination.
Seattle FAQ
What must be recycled in Seattle?
Seattle requires recycling of paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, metal cans, and approved plastics (generally #1, #2, and #5). Food scraps and food-soiled paper must go in the compost cart, not the garbage. Yard waste also goes in compost. Placing these materials in the garbage violates the Solid Waste Code.
Does the food waste composting rule apply to everyone?
Yes. Seattle's mandatory food waste composting requirement applies to all residents (single-family and multifamily) and all businesses. Food scraps, including meat, dairy, and bones, go in the food/yard waste cart along with food-soiled paper products like napkins and paper plates. This is one of the strictest composting mandates in the country.
Compare other topics
See how Kent and Seattle compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool