Trash & Recycling in Island County, WA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Island County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Unincorporated Island County doesn't run its own curbside pickup route; instead, section 13.02A.100 puts the job on you. Every owner, operator or occupant of a home, business or industrial property is personally responsible for making a satisfactory, legal arrangement, such as a licensed hauler contract or a haul to a permitted disposal site, to remove solid and hazardous waste from their property.
Island County Owner Duty for Trash Disposal
Some RestrictionsIsland County Code § 13.02A.100
The owner, operator, or occupant of any premise, business establishment, or industry shall be responsible for the satisfactory and legal arrangement for the handling and disposal of all solid and hazardous waste accumulated/generated by them on their property.
Bulk Item Disposal
Large items like appliances, furniture and other oversize refuse that won't fit in a regular garbage can are "bulky waste" under Island County Code § 8.08B.030, and section 8.08B.320 requires it be stored and transported so it doesn't create a nuisance or safety hazard. There's no curbside bulky-pickup mandate: the code tells residents to recycle bulky items if feasible and, if not, haul them straight to a permitted disposal site.
Bulky Waste Disposal Rules in Island County
Light RestrictionsIsland County Code §§ 8.08B.030, 8.08B.320
Bulky waste shall include any large items of refuse, such as appliances, furniture, and other oversize wastes which would typically not fit into reusable or disposable containers. ... Bulky wastes shall be stored and transported in such a manner so as not to create a nuisance or safety hazard. Bulky waste should be recycled if feasible. If recycling is not feasible, these wastes shall be taken ...
Recycling Requirements
Unincorporated Island County has no mandatory curbside recycling program written into its code today. The county did adopt minimum residential recycling collection service levels in Chapter 13.04 in December 2012, but the Board of County Commissioners repealed that entire chapter four months later, in April 2013, and never replaced it.
Island County Curbside Recycling Rule Repealed
Few RestrictionsIsland County Code § 13.04
Chapter 13.04 - Minimum Levels of Service for Residential Recycling Collection (Repealed) (Ord. C-143-12 [SW-21-12), December 20, 2012, vol. 2012, p. 205; repealed by Ord. C-29-13, April 22, 2013. vol. 2013, p. 75)
Illegal Dumping
Dumping solid waste anywhere in unincorporated Island County outside a permitted disposal facility is a public-nuisance violation of Island County Code § 8.08B.070, enforced by the Health Department. Minor illegal dumping draws a $2,500 administrative penalty per violation, major illegal dumping draws $5,000 per violation, and ordinary littering under the same section carries a flat $500 penalty, with every day of a continuing violation counted separately.
Illegal Dumping Penalties in Island County
Heavy RestrictionsIsland County Code §§ 8.08B.070, 8.08B.440
A.General.1.It shall be unlawful for any person to dump, or deposit, or permit the dumping or depositing of any solid waste onto or under the surface of the ground or into the waters of this state, except at an appropriate solid waste handling facility for which there is a valid permit. ... 2.Any person who deposits, permits to be deposited, or causes to be deposited any solid waste in any area...
Recycling Rules
Unincorporated Island County's solid waste code doesn't ban or discourage recycling: section 13.02A.080 says nothing in Chapter 13.02A stops waste recycling at a reclamation site, provided the operation follows applicable law. Running that reclamation site does require a permit from the Island County Health Department, the same office that oversees the rest of the county's solid waste system.
Island County Recycling at Reclamation Sites
Light RestrictionsIsland County Code § 13.02A.080
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or inhibit waste recycling at reclamation sites so long as otherwise conducted in accord with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. A reclamation site shall be subject to permit requirements of the Health Department.
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