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Winter Holiday Waste Collection Schedule for 2023

by on December 18, 2023

With the holiday season upon us, we wanted to share an important reminder to customers about our services. 

Garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste will not be collected on the following upcoming holidays: 

  • Christmas Day (12/25/2023) 
  • New Year’s Day (1/1/2024) 

On those days, and for the remainder of the week, service will be delayed one day. For example, if your regular collection day is Monday, December 25 (Christmas), you should place your bins out on Tuesday, December 26. If your regular collection day is Tuesday, place your bins out on Wednesday, December 27. 

2023 holiday collection schedule: 

Regular Pick-up Day Moved To 
Monday, December 25 Tuesday, November 26 
Tuesday, December 26 Wednesday, December 27 
Wednesday, December 27Thursday, December 28
Thursday, December 28Friday, December 29
Friday, December 29Saturday, December 30

The graphic shows the Christmas collection schedule for residential garbage, recycling, and food & yard waste pick up. Due to the Christmas holiday on Monday, December 25, all residential collection will be delayed by one day. Monday customers will be serviced Tuesday, December 26. Tuesday customers will be serviced Wednesday, December 27. Wednesday customers will be serviced Thursday, December 28. Thursday customers will be serviced Friday, December 29. Friday customers will be serviced Saturday, December 30. The graphic’s headline reads, “Residential Collection Delay Schedule for Dec. 25 – 30, 2023.” In the bottom of the graphic the text reads, “Visit our blog, AtYourService.Seattle.Gov.” In the bottom right corner is the Seattle Public Utilities logo. The background of the graphic contains snowflakes.
The graphic shows the New Year collection schedule for residential garbage, recycling, and food & yard waste pick up. Due to the New Year holiday on Monday, January 1, 2024, all residential collection will be delayed by one day. Monday customers will be serviced Tuesday, January 2. Tuesday customers will be serviced Wednesday, January 3. Wednesday customers will be serviced Thursday, January 4. Thursday customers will be serviced Friday, January 5. Friday customers will be serviced Saturday, January 6. The graphic’s headline reads, “New Year Residential Collection Delayed Schedule January 1 - 6, 2024.” In the bottom of the graphic the text reads, “Visit our blog, AtYourService.Seattle.Gov.” In the bottom right corner is the Seattle Public Utilities logo.

The City of Seattle’s North and South Transfer Stations will be closed on:  

  • Monday, December 25, 2023 
  • Monday, January 1, 2024 

Compost holiday trees & greens for free this holiday season 

Customers can compost trees and holiday greens for free from December 26 – January 31! Remove all decorations, cut into sections 4-foot or less, and place trees or bundled greens next to your Food & Yard Waste cart on your regular collection day. Apartment residents may place up to two trees next to each Food & Yard waste cart at no charge. You can also drop off up to 3 trees less than 8 feet in length at a Transfer Station.  

For more details and to find out what to do with your holiday items once you’re done with them, check out SPU’s Where Does It Go lookup tool.

Snow/ice collection delays 

During the winter season, snow and icy roads may prevent Seattle Public Utilities’ contracted haulers from collecting garbage, recycling, or food/ yard waste. Collection trucks can weigh up to 30 tons and cannot safely navigate icy streets the same way our cars can. In the case of severe weather, there are several places to go to find out whether your collection has been postponed: 

Thank you for your patience as we plan for inclement weather and navigate our holiday schedule.

Filed Under: Garbage, Recycling, & Compost, News