Bellingham, WA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Cart-placement rules sit inside the operational framework of BMC Chapter 9.12 and SSC's published customer guidelines. BMC 9.12.040 (Containers) requires that 'all materials shall be deposited at curbside or alley side prior to collection and shall be placed in containers provided by the city's contractor.' SSC's standard customer guidance is to place the toter in position the evening before the scheduled collection day so the truck does not pass before the cart is staged. Toters should be positioned at the curb or alley line with the wheels facing the residence and the lid opening facing the street, with several feet of clearance from cars, mailboxes, fences, poles, and other toters so the automated truck arm can engage the cart cleanly. Bulky debris that cannot fit inside the toter must be cut to four feet long, tied in a bundle, and weigh no more than 50 pounds — those items can be set beside the toter for an additional charge added to the customer's monthly bill. Yard waste collected through the FoodPlus! cart follows the same set-out rules. BMC 9.12.040 also reserves the toter as city-contractor property assigned to the address. BMC 9.12.020 reinforces that scavenging from the cart by non-contractor parties is unlawful without the owner's consent. Customers should return toters off the public right-of-way the same day after collection. Service rates and toter sizes (32 / 60-64 / 90-96 gallon) are billed monthly under BMC 9.12.060.