Auburn, WA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)

120(A) makes it unlawful to dispose of residential or commercial yard debris by commingling yard debris with the garbage or recycling set out at curbside for collection by a service provider under contract with the city. 030(G) defines compostables as yard debris, shredded compostable mixed paper, and food scraps, either separately or combined, that commingling ban functions as Auburn's mandatory organics-separation rule: food scraps and yard debris both belong in the compostables stream, not the garbage cart. 120(B) sets the mechanics: compostables carts handle the regular volume, and once a cart is full, only plastic or galvanized garbage containers up to 32 gallons or heavyweight brown paper bags may take overflow, excluding food scraps, and any customer-owned overflow container must carry a durable sticker identifying its contents as compostables.

Plastic bags are singled out as unacceptable at any stage: the hauler will not collect compostables left in plastic bags at the curb, or bags of compostables tucked inside another approved container, because plastic bags are considered a contaminant and are noncompostable. 130(A), separately allows backyard composting of vegetable waste, ashes, leaves, grass and plant cuttings on private property, provided the pile does not create odors, expose raw garbage or attract pests, but bars composting of nonputrescible garbage, animal waste or animal/vegetable fats.