Trash & Recycling in Whatcom County, WA (2026)
7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Whatcom County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Whatcom County doesn't run collection trucks itself; UTC-certificated private haulers do, led by Sanitary Service Company under Certificate G-14. County code sets the floor, though: at least 26 pickups a year on an every-other-week schedule, garbage and recycling together.
Whatcom County Trash Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsWhatcom County Code 8.10.040
As a minimum level of service, the minimum required curbside collection service shall be 26 annual pickups, to occur at the discretion of the customer on any day of the approved every-other-week garbage collection schedule, of a 32-gallon can, and source separated recyclables.
Bin Placement Rules
Any trash or garbage collection storage area in unincorporated Whatcom County must be screened behind a solid fence or wall at least six feet high, per WCC § 20.80.355, with the hauler approving the site before permit issuance. Curbside carts follow separate set-out and sizing rules in WCC ch. 8.10.
Whatcom County Garbage Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsWCC § 20.80.355
Garbage disposal facilities shall be provided in accordance with applicable Whatcom County board of health rules and regulations (Chapter 8.10 WCC). All trash or garbage collection storage areas must be screened from view from adjacent streets and properties using a solid fence or wall a minimum of six feet high. The garbage collection service provider shall be provided opportunity to approve t...
Bulk Item Disposal
No active landfill operates in Whatcom County. Large items go out through hauler bulky-item pickup by appointment, or you self-haul to one of several transfer and drop-box stations. Recycling & Disposal Services in Ferndale, SSC's Cedarville site near Everson, and Nooksack Valley Disposal in Lynden.
Whatcom County Bulk Item Disposal
Some RestrictionsWhatcom County Code 8.28.080
It shall be unlawful for any person to dump or deposit or permit the dumping or depositing of any solid waste or dangerous waste onto or under the surface of the ground or into the waters of this county except at a solid waste or dangerous waste disposal site for which there is a valid permit.
Recycling Requirements
Anyone with garbage service in unincorporated Whatcom County must also get recycling pickup under WCC § 8.10.050: at least every other week, on the same day as trash. Haulers must collect newspaper, mixed paper, metal and glass containers, and plastic bottles, plus cardboard, scrap metal, batteries, and motor oil set beside the bin.
Whatcom County Curbside Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsWCC § 8.10.050
A. Solid waste collection companies shall collect source separated recyclables from all residences in unincorporated portions of Whatcom County that receive regularly scheduled garbage collection. All single-family residences shall be provided with recycling collection at least every other week and on the same day of the week as garbage collection. ... C. 1. Solid waste collection companies sha...
Yard Waste Collection
Unincorporated Whatcom County runs no curbside yard waste program. WCC § 8.10.050(C)(1)(g) lists yard waste among recyclables but says its collection is 'deferred pending further amendments' to the chapter, so residents must compost on-site, haul clippings to a private facility, or contract separately.
Whatcom County Yard Waste Collection Rules
Few RestrictionsWCC § 8.10.050(C)(1)(g); § 8.15.070(A)(9),(12)
Solid waste collection companies shall collect, and recycling containers shall be designed to hold, the following materials: ... g. Yard Waste. Collection of this material is deferred pending further amendments to this chapter. ... 9. Composting of yard waste at facilities that accept and market source-separated yard waste materials; ... 12. On-site composting of materials generated on-site;
Dumpster Rules
Commercial and institutional trash and dumpster storage areas in unincorporated Whatcom County must be screened from adjacent streets and properties behind a solid fence or wall at least six feet high, under WCC § 20.80.355. The disposal facility itself must also meet county board of health rules, and the hauler gets to approve the dumpster's location before the county issues a permit.
Whatcom County Dumpster Screening Rules
Some RestrictionsWCC § 20.80.355
Trash or garbage collection storage areas – Screening and placement. Garbage disposal facilities shall be provided in accordance with applicable Whatcom County board of health rules and regulations (Chapter 8.10 WCC). All trash or garbage collection storage areas must be screened from view from adjacent streets and properties using a solid fence or wall a minimum of six feet high. The garbage c...
Collection Schedule
Certified haulers must collect residential garbage in unincorporated Whatcom County on a schedule set by WCC § 8.10.040: weekly, every-other-week, or monthly. Standard cans run 15 to 32 gallons, with 60- and 90-gallon carts optional. Since January 1, 2019, Point Roberts homes with septic systems can no longer opt out of curbside service.
Whatcom County Garbage Collection Schedule Rules
Some RestrictionsWCC § 8.10.040
A. Solid waste collection companies shall perform collection and hauling of garbage from single-family residences that request collection service in unincorporated portions of Whatcom County. Service to single-family residences shall be provided on a schedule of either weekly, every-other-week or monthly collection. B. Garbage containers provided by and for single-family residences shall be 30 ...
Trash & Recycling by City in Whatcom County
1 cities in Whatcom County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Whatcom County ordinances
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