Kirkland, WA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum recyclables
- Newspaper, mixed paper, bottles, cans, plastic containers
- Required capacity
- Recycling volume >= garbage volume weekly
- Applies to
- Multifamily and commercial properties
- Variance
- Written approval from public works director
- Commercial opt-out
- Direct hauler contract allowed, RCW 35.21.158
Summary
Kirkland requires multifamily and commercial properties to participate in recycling collection of at least newspapers, mixed paper, and recyclable bottles, cans and plastic containers under KMC 16.08.012. Property owners must provide weekly recycling capacity equal to or greater than their weekly garbage capacity.
Multifamily Residential Recycling. Multifamily residential customers shall participate in placement for collection for recycling, at a minimum, the following materials: newspapers, mixed papers, and recyclable bottles, cans and plastic containers. Recyclable materials will be collected on the same pickup schedule as solid waste collections. All multifamily property owners shall provide residents with a minimum total weekly volume of recycling capacity equal to or greater than the total weekly volume of garbage capacity.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4945, passed July 21, 2026).
Full Breakdown
080 and the King County comprehensive solid waste management plan. Subsection (E) requires multifamily residential customers to participate in recycling collection of, at minimum, newspapers, mixed papers, and recyclable bottles, cans and plastic containers, collected on the same schedule as garbage, and mandates that every multifamily property provide residents a minimum weekly recycling capacity equal to or greater than their weekly garbage capacity, with garbage, recycling and compost containers co-located where possible. 158 instead of using the city's contracted hauler. Recyclables must go in properly labeled detachable containers or carts distributed by the city's contractor, with detachable containers preferred over carts where space allows.
The public works director or designee may grant a written variance from these requirements at the property owner's request or the director's own discretion, and may revoke that variance at any time the justification no longer applies, effective immediately if circumstances require.
Violations & Fines
Recycling participation is enforced as part of Title 16 under KMC 16.08.125, which routes noncompliance to Chapter 1.12 code enforcement and its graduated civil fine schedule of $100 to $500 per day depending on how long the violation continues, capped at $50,000 per violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Kirkland apartment buildings have to offer recycling?
How much recycling capacity must a Kirkland business provide?
Can a Kirkland business use its own recycling hauler?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kirkland
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Recycling Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle recycling requirements.