King County, WA Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item Disposal (2026)

King County offers several options for disposing of bulky household items that do not fit in regular garbage carts. Option 1: Call your hauler (Republic Services or Recology) to schedule a bulk pickup. Most haulers charge per item, typically 15 to 80 dollars depending on the item, with sofas, mattresses, and appliances at the higher end. Schedule at least a few days in advance. Option 2: Self-haul to a King County Solid Waste transfer station. There are eight stations (Bow Lake, Cedar Falls, Enumclaw, Factoria, Houghton, Renton, Shoreline, and Vashon) open to unincorporated and city residents. Fees are charged by weight (approximately 170 dollars per ton for municipal solid waste as of recent years) with a minimum fee per load. Option 3: King County Re+ reuse and donation programs divert usable items. Mattresses specifically can go to dedicated recycling programs. Special rules apply to refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners: appliances containing refrigerant (freon) must have it professionally evacuated before disposal under EPA regulations (40 CFR Part 82). Transfer stations accept these items for an extra fee that includes freon removal. Hazardous items (batteries, paint, electronics) are not accepted as bulky waste and must go to a King County Household Hazardous Waste facility (free for residents). Bulk dumping of yard waste is charged separately. Curbside bulk dumping outside of pickup day is illegal dumping under KCC 10.04 and RCW 70A.200.