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Recycling & Waste Reduction
WHAT WE DO
The City of Redmond’s Solid Waste and Recycling program promotes waste reduction, recycling and composting throughout the city. Solid Waste staff administers the City’s contract with Waste Management for the collection of garbage, recycling, yard debris, and food scraps.
What can be recycled or composted in Redmond?
Learn what you can recycle or compost by visiting the City’s Recycling Video Library or viewing Waste Management’s guidelines. You can also find out how to recycle or dispose of items properly using the What Goes Where database
How can I learn more?
The City of Redmond hosts free sustainability classes and events to provide information and tools to live more sustainably. This includes information about waste reduction, recycling, safer cleaning, shopping to reduce climate impacts, and more!
- Visit the Sustainable Living page for news about upcoming classes and events.
- The City also provides downloadable recycling and composting posters, as well as links for educators to additional resources on our Education page.
- Lean more about preventing food waste on the City’s Love Food: Stop Waste page.
Businesses
Businesses can receive free onsite help to improve recycling or start free composting service.
Email Recycle Redmond for more information or take the Refresh Your Recycling Pledge.
Recycling is available in Redmond at no additional cost!
Call Waste Management at 1-800-592-9995 to set up, change service or for more information on what you can recycle or visit the Waste Management website.
Get free assistance with:
- Setting up service
- Improving recycling
- Flyers and posters
- Resident/staff education
- FREE recycling bags and indoor collection containers (supply is limited)
Recycle Right
Follow these steps to make sure your items can be recycled!
- Empty out food and liquids – Food-soiled recyclables create hazards for workers. Empty and give a quick rinse (labels okay).
- Dump items out of bags or boxes – Place your recyclables loose in the container so they don’t get mistaken for garbage. Paper bags can be recycled, but plastic bags ruin recycling – NO PLASTIC BAGS
- Flatten cardboard – Break down all boxes to save space and prevent overflow. See the section below for recycling cardboard information.
- Keep the lid closed – Wet recyclables have to be thrown away, so close the lid to prevent rain from reaching them before the truck does.
Businesses and Apartments/Condos
Your Waste Management garbage service includes free recycling up to twice the size of your garbage container (you may also arrange with other recycling service providers for collection).
Take the Refresh Your Recycling Pledge and join other Redmond businesses in recycling more and reducing waste. Thanks to all the Redmond Businesses (PDF) that have taken the Recycling Pledge!
Want to be certified as a Green Business? Envirostars offers comprehensive Green Business certification and regional recognition, visit the Envirostars website for more information.
Residential ONLY
Free recycling next to your cart!
- Extra recyclables - Place in a bin or cardboard box
- Motor oil – Place in a transparent, 1-gallon jug with name and address (limit 2 gallons per week)
- Clothing and linens - Place in a secure plastic bag labeled “textiles”
- Electronics (TVs, monitors, and computers) Call Waste Management to schedule a free pick-up
*Individual residential accounts ONLY
Food and yard waste collections are available in Redmond at no additional cost! Your scraps are turned into compost for local parks and gardens. Check out the Waste Management website for more information on what you can compost.
Want help composting? The City offers free assistance with:
- Setting up service
- Confirming which items are accepted
- Flyers and posters
- Resident/staff education
- FREE kitchen compost containers (supply is limited)
Businesses and Apartments/Condos
The City of Redmond offers compost collection to eligible businesses and apartments/condos at no extra cost. Over 200 businesses and organizations are keeping Redmond clean and green by composting their food scraps! Check out our fact sheet (PDF) to see how commercial composting in Redmond has made a difference.
Service includes:
- Weekly pick-up by Waste Management
- Carts lined with compostable bags for cleanliness
- Free assistance from the City with:
- Ordering your cart and cart placement
- Interior food scrap collection setup
- Staff/resident training
- Providing posters showing what is acceptable
- Providing indoor collection containers (supply is limited)
Some items such as gasoline, pesticides, oil-based paint, and fluorescent bulbs are considered hazardous and CANNOT go in your garbage. Check out a detailed list of hazardous materials.
These items are accepted at:
- King County Factoria Transfer Station Hazardous Waste Locker (go to Quick links)
- King County Wastemobile, which periodically visits Redmond at the Home Depot parking (go to Quick links)
For information on quantity limits and what is accepted/not accepted at the sites, visit the King County Local Hazardous Waste Management Program page or call 206-296-4692.
Looking for alternatives to toxic cleaners?
Learn more about green cleaning and how to make your green cleansers by visiting The City of Seattle Green Cleaning page.
Businesses and Apartments/Condos
For more information about hazardous waste at your site - including reducing waste, recycling, and proper storage and disposal - visit the King County Local Business Hazardous Waste Management Program page. Your company can also be reimbursed up to $500 to assist in the management of hazardous waste.
Recycling cardboard
Cardboard is one of the most valuable items that can be recycled in Redmond. Watch this video to learn about products made from recycled cardboard. Please remember to break down boxes before recycling!
Recycling Questions
Use our "Report an Issue" Tool
Phone: 425-556-2900 ext. 7
Composting Assistance
Email Composting
Phone: 425-556-2900 ext. 7
Waste Management Customer Service
Waste Management
Phone: 1-800-592-9995
Paint Recycling
PaintCare
Refresh Your Recycling Pledge for Businesses
Illegal Dumping Hotline
Phone: 206-296-7483