Food and Yard Waste

We offer curbside food and yard waste collection service to single family, multifamily, and commercial customers. Collected materials are repurposed into organic material which can be returned to enrich the soil to grow more plants for food and natural beauty.

Properly sorting food and yard waste reduces landfill waste, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and supports composting efforts. It’s important to know what items can go in your brown food/yard waste bin to ensure efficient processing and prevent contamination.

Did you know that not all cities accept the same items in their food and yard waste programs? Composting rules can vary based on local processing facilities and environmental regulations.

Learn what Tacoma accepts with the following food and yard waste guides:

Contact

Solid Waste Management

(253) 502-2100

solidwaste@tacoma.gov

Food & Yard Waste Guides

English

Spanish

Korean

Vietnamese

Khmer

Russian

That Doesn’t Belong

Bags, cups, utensils, and other service ware labeled as “compostable” are not accepted in food and yard waste bins. These items require a special industrial composting process and should not be mixed with organic food and yard waste.

Other non-organic items like glass, metal, plastic, and Styrofoam should also be kept out of food and yard waste bins. Learn more about why compostable bags are not accepted.

How to Reduce Food Waste

Food waste is a LARGE problem. As a state, Washington generated an estimated 1 million tons of wasted food in 2022, including roughly 500,000 tons of uneaten edible food. At the household level, the average family of four loses about $3,000 each year on wasted food.

Reducing food waste saves you money, protects the environment, and reduces hunger in our community. Simple strategies like planning your meals, shopping with a grocery list, and learning about proper food storage can help you waste less food and save more cash. Check out the resources below to see how you can reduce food waste.

Commit to Reducing Food Waste Today

When you make a pledge to reduce food waste, our community wins and YOU can win a prize. Complete our Waste Less Food, Save More CA$h survey between May 1 and September 30, 2026 to be entered into a raffle for the chance to win a prize!

Waste Less Food, Save More CA$h Survey

More Information for Customers

I live in a single-family home or duplex

New Service Setup
To start curbside residential food and yard waste service, contact a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100 or email solidwaste@tacoma.gov

Food and Yard Waste Rates
Food and yard waste service is included in your monthly garbage bill at no extra cost. Customers can request up to two 90-gallon brown bins free of charge. Need more? A third bin is available for just $3 per month. Learn more at tacoma.gov/rates.

Collection Schedule
Food and yard waste bins are collected every other week, alternating with garbage and recycling collection. Check your curbside collection schedule at tacoma.gov/collectionschedule.

Setout Guidelines

Place your bin at the curb by 7 a.m. on your collection day.
Ensure the wheels face the curb.
Keep your bin 4 feet away from obstructions like other bins, vehicles, poles, fences, or buildings.
Remove your bin from the curb after it has been emptied.

DO NOT:

Overfill your bin or exceed the 250-pound weight limit.
Leave items on the ground or on top of the bin.

Missed Collection
If your food and yard waste bin isn’t collected, call a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100.

I live in a multifamily home or apartment (triplex or larger)

If your multifamily residence doesn’t have food and yard waste service, consider discussing the benefits with your property manager or Homeowners Association (HOA) board. Highlight how this service can be valuable for you and your neighbors. Your property manager or HOA board can set up a food and yard waste collection program by contacting a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100 or emailing solidwaste@tacoma.gov

My Multifamily Residence Needs Help With Food and Yard Waste Service
We’re here to support you! Property managers or HOA boards can reach out to our Commercial Food and Yard Waste Specialist at (253) 502-2100 for assistance, including:

Evaluating your current service setup.
Providing free food and yard waste guides for staff and residents.
Delivering informational presentations to staff and residents.

I manage a multifamily home or apartment (triplex or larger)

Food and Yard Waste Services for Multifamily Properties

The City of Tacoma offers multifamily properties two types of services:

Commercial Food Waste: Weekly collection.
Commercial Yard Waste: Every-other-week collection.

Rates vary by service. For more details, visit tacoma.gov/rates.

Set Up New Service
New customers can start a food and yard waste collection program by contacting a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100 or emailing solidwaste@tacoma.gov

Collection Schedule
Collection schedules for multifamily properties vary by location and service. Contact a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100 to confirm your collection day.

Setout Guidelines

Place your bin at the curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day.
Position the bin with the wheels facing the curb.
Keep the bin at least 4 feet away from obstructions such as other bins, vehicles, poles, fences, or buildings.
Remove the bin from the curb after collection.

DO NOT:

Overfill the bin or exceed the 250-pound weight limit.
Leave items on the ground or on top of the bin.

Missed Collection
If your bin is not collected, call a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100.

I manage a commercial business

Food and Yard Waste Services for Commercial Properties

Starting January 1, 2026: Tacoma businesses generating 96 gallons or more of organic waste per week – including edible and inedible parts of food as well as lawn and garden debris – are required to set-up organics management service.

For more information on business requirements of the Washington State Organics Management Laws, see our Organic Management Laws Fact Sheet:

The City of Tacoma provides commercial properties with:

Commercial Food Waste: Weekly collection.
Commercial Yard Waste: Every-other-week collection.

These services are offered at rates lower than comparable garbage service. Many Tacoma businesses, such as grocers, restaurants, and coffee shops, already benefit from this program.

Set Up New Service
New customers can start a food and yard waste collection program by contacting a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100 or emailing solidwaste@tacoma.gov. For rates and additional details, visit tacoma.gov/rates.

Collection Schedule
Commercial collection schedules vary based on location and service type. Contact a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100 to confirm your collection day.

Setout Guidelines

Place your bin at the curb by 7 a.m. on your collection day.
Ensure the wheels face the curb.
Keep the bin at least 4 feet away from obstructions like other bins, vehicles, poles, fences, or buildings.
Remove the bin from the curb after collection.

Do not:

Overfill the bin or exceed the 250-pound weight limit.
Leave items on the ground or on top of the bin.

Missed Collection
If your bin isn’t collected, call a Solid Waste representative at (253) 502-2100.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I put in my yard and food waste container?: You can fill your container with organic materials from your yard, garden, and kitchen. View the complete guide on what’s accepted.
What items are NOT allowed in my yard and food waste container?: Plastic bags, service ware labeled “compostable,” used pizza boxes, paper coffee cups, and other non-organic materials are not allowed. These items belong in the garbage. View the full guide on what’s accepted.
Can I use newspaper or paper bags as a liner in my food and yard waste container?: Yes, you can use a paper bag or a small amount of newspaper to line your kitchen container or wrap food waste. However, large amounts of newspaper or paper bags are not accepted.
Why aren’t "compostable bags" or service ware labeled as "compostable" allowed?: Items labeled as “compostable” require specialized industrial composting processes. The facility Tacoma uses for food and yard waste cannot break these items down, so they are considered contamination.
Why aren’t paper coffee cups accepted?: Most disposable paper coffee cups have a thin plastic lining to prevent leaks. This plastic cannot be composted or recycled. While a few cities in the U.S. can handle these cups, Tacoma does not have the capability. Paper coffee cups should go in the garbage.
Should pet waste go in the yard and food waste container?: No. Pet waste contains harmful bacteria and microorganisms that can be hazardous if composted. Always bag pet waste and dispose of it in the garbage.
What if I need another food and yard waste container?: You can receive bi-weekly collection of up to two 90-gallon brown containers at no extra charge. A third container is available for $3 per month. Call City of Tacoma Solid Waste Management at (253) 502-2100 for more information.

Backyard Composting

Backyard composting is a great way to turn some food scraps and yard materials into a useful soil amendment for your garden. It can also help reduce the amount of material going into your garbage cart. Backyard composting works a little differently than Tacoma’s food and yard waste collection program, so it’s important to know what belongs in each place. Explore the information below to learn more!

What can I put into backyard compost?

Backyard composting is best for plant-based food scraps, yard materials, and some uncoated paper products.