Lewis County, WA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Service area
- RSA-1: all unincorporated Lewis County
- Container size
- 95-gallon rolling cart
- Participation
- Voluntary for single-family homes
- Multifamily auto-eligible
- Complexes of 2-4 units
- Program review cycle
- At least every 5 years
- Rate-setter
- Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
Summary
In unincorporated Lewis County (RSA-1), the county has adopted a curbside recycling program under LCC § 8.10.020 that is voluntary for every single-family residence, whether or not the resident also subscribes to garbage collection, per § 8.10.040(1). A WUTC-certificated hauler runs the program and sets the rates.
§ 8.10.020. Curbside recycling program for RSA-1 adopted. The program design for a curbside recycling program for RSA-1 as set forth in the adopted 1993 Lewis County CSWMP update, adopted by Lewis County Resolution No. 93-505, and the 2000 Lewis County solid and moderate risk waste management plan (hereafter SMRWMP) update, adopted by Lewis County Resolution No. 00-266, and as identified in Article II is hereby adopted and implemented. ... § 8.10.030. RSA-1 defined. RSA-1 is defined as all unincorporated areas of Lewis County. ... § 8.10.040. Eligibility for service. (1) Service will be made available to all single-family residences in RSA-1 on a voluntary basis. Residents will be eligible for participation in the program regardless if they subscribe to regular garbage collection service. Subscribers signing up for only the recycling service will not be charged a garbage collection fee.
Full Breakdown
RSA-1 covers all unincorporated areas of the county (§ 8.10.030). Single-family homes get free access to the program regardless of garbage subscription, and signing up for recycling alone carries no garbage fee (§ 8.10.040(1)). Multifamily complexes of two to four units are automatically eligible; larger complexes and mobile home parks are added at the hauler's discretion based on vehicle access and nearby recycling options (§ 8.10.040(2)). Each participant gets one 95-gallon rolling cart, which remains the hauler's property and must be surrendered if the customer withdraws (§ 8.10.070).
The hauler must send written sign-up cards explaining how customers can reduce service by recycling (§ 8.10.060). Acceptable materials are newspaper, cardboard, aluminum cans, magazines, paperboard, tin cans, plastic bottles and jugs, and mixed waste paper, and the list can only change after 30 days' written notice (§ 8.10.090). The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, not the county board, sets rates (§ 8.10.110), and the county and its solid waste advisory committee must review the program at least every five years (§ 8.10.130).
Violations & Fines
The recycling article carries no fine for nonparticipation. A customer may decline and ask the hauler to remove the cart, but LCC § 8.10.050(2) still charges a monthly recycling fee unless the customer instead subscribes to once-per-month garbage service or occasional-use bags under § 8.10.050(3). Service complaints go to the Lewis County solid waste utility for resolution rather than to code enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is curbside recycling mandatory in unincorporated Lewis County?
What can I put in my recycling cart?
Can multifamily buildings get recycling service?
Who sets the recycling rates?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lewis County
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