Trash & Recycling in Kitsap County, WA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Kitsap County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
In unincorporated Kitsap County, the WUTC-regulated solid waste company can refuse to pick up a recycling or compostable organics cart if the contents are contaminated and unmarketable. Kitsap County Code 9.48.040(4)(B) requires the hauler to tag the cart explaining the refusal, then leaves the customer to clean the load or have it hauled as garbage at the next scheduled pickup.
Kitsap County Contaminated Recycling Pickup Rule
Some RestrictionsKitsap County Code § 9.48.040(4)(B)
The solid waste company may refuse to collect curbside recycling and compostable organics material set out for collection if the material will be unmarketable due to contamination. If collection is refused, the solid waste company must attach information to the cart explaining why the material was not collected. The customer will have the choice to clean the recyclable and compostable material ...
Recycling Requirements
Curbside recycling is not opt-in for most Kitsap County households: if a single-family customer already gets garbage pickup in unincorporated Kitsap County, the hauler automatically adds recycling service and bills for it. Kitsap County Code 9.48.040(1)(A) makes this the default, with a narrow exemption only for approved senior and disabled property-tax-exempt households.
Kitsap County Mandatory Curbside Recycling
Some RestrictionsKitsap County Code § 9.48.040(1)(A)
Single-family customers receiving curbside garbage collection service will receive and be billed for curbside recycling service. Senior citizens and disabled persons that are approved by the Kitsap County assessor for property tax exemption or rental home tenants that meet the age or disability requirements and income threshold for the Kitsap County tax exemption are eligible for exemption from...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping any waste on public or private property that isn't a designated legal dump site is a public nuisance in unincorporated Kitsap County under Code § 9.56.020(10)(b)(vii). The county can go straight to abatement without a warning if the dumping threatens health or safety, and violators face a $250-per-day monetary penalty plus cleanup costs.
Kitsap County Illegal Dumping Penalties
Heavy RestrictionsKitsap County Code § 9.56.020(10)(b)(vii)
Illegal dumping including, but not limited to, dumping of any type by any person on public or private property not designated as a legal dump site; and
Yard Waste Collection
Yard waste in unincorporated Kitsap County goes out with compostable organics collection, not loose at the curb without limits. Kitsap County Code 9.48.020(17) defines yard waste as grass clippings, leaves, branches, brush, weeds, roots and similar plant material, capping tree prunings accepted in the cart at four inches in diameter.
Kitsap County Yard Waste Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsKitsap County Code § 9.48.020(17)
"Yard waste," a component of compostable organics, means plant material commonly generated in the course of maintaining yards and gardens, and through horticulture, gardening, landscaping, or similar activities. Yard waste includes, but is not limited to, grass clippings, leaves, branches, brush, weeds, flowers, roots, windfall fruit, vegetable garden waste, holiday trees, and tree prunings fou...
Collection Schedule
Recycling in unincorporated Kitsap County runs on a fixed biweekly clock tied to garbage day. Kitsap County Code 9.48.040(1)(D) requires the solid waste company to collect recyclable material at least every other week, on the same day of the week as the customer's garbage pickup, for both single-family and multifamily accounts.
Kitsap County Recycling Collection Schedule
Some RestrictionsKitsap County Code § 9.48.040(1)(D)
Collection Schedule. The recyclable material specified in the current Kitsap County Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan must be collected at least every other week. Recyclable material will be collected on the same day of the week as garbage collection.
Recycling Rules
Kitsap County standardizes recycling carts by lid color: unincorporated households sort by container, not by bagging. Kitsap County Code 9.48.040(4)(A) requires every cart to have a gray body with black or gray lids for garbage, blue lids for commingled recycling and green lids for compostable organics, with full conversion required by December 31, 2025.
Kitsap County Recycling Cart Color Rule
Some RestrictionsKitsap County Code § 9.48.040(4)(A)
All carts must be standardized throughout the county. Carts must consist of a gray body, with specific color lids to indicate service type. Black or gray lids will be used to identify garbage receptacles, blue lids will identify commingled recycling receptacles, and green lids will identify compostable organics receptacles. The division may develop decals and other materials that are to be affi...
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