Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Clark County, WA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Available to
All county residents
Mandatory
Some cities/UGAs only
Cart accepts
Metal, paper, cardboard, plastics
Keep out
Glass, bags, batteries
Glass
Recycled separately at drop sites

Summary

Curbside recycling is available to all Clark County residents and is mandatory in some cities and urban growth areas, optional elsewhere. Carts take metal cans, paper, cardboard, cartons, and plastic bottles, jugs and tubs; glass, plastic bags, and batteries are excluded.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Clark County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Curbside recycling service is available to all residents of Clark County. Do not include glass, plastic bags, food-soiled items, or batteries inside the blue cart.

Full Breakdown

Clark County's blue-cart recycling program accepts aluminum trays, cardboard, cartons, empty aerosol cans, metal cans, paper, plastic bottles, jugs and tubs up to five gallons, and scrap metal roughly 2 to 24 inches and under 35 pounds. Glass, plastic bags, food-soiled items, and batteries must be kept out of the blue cart. Whether recycling participation is mandatory depends on location, it is required in some cities and urban growth areas and optional in others. Glass is recycled separately at drop sites. Use the RecycleRight tool to confirm accepted materials for your address.

Violations & Fines

Contaminated recycling can be rejected by the hauler; local mandatory-recycling requirements, where they apply, are enforced by the city or service area, not by a county-wide fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is recycling mandatory in Clark County?
It is available to all residents but only mandatory in some cities and urban growth areas. In other areas curbside recycling is optional. Check your address in RecycleRight.
Can I put glass in the blue cart?
No. Glass, plastic bags, food-soiled items, and batteries must stay out of the blue cart. Glass is collected separately at designated drop sites.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Clark County

All Clark County rules

Compare Clark County to another location·View the Washington trash & recycling overview

Get notified when Recycling Requirements in Clark County, WA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Recycling Requirements in Cities Across Clark County