Spring Recycle Days Is Here! April 22 - 25, 2008. Put your items out on your regular recycle day.

Do you have cast iron pots, broken lawn chairs, or worn out car tires that you'd like to get rid of? 

Those are just a few of the items that will be accepted during Spring Recycle Days, April 22 - 25, 2008. City Waste ReSources crews will come by your home on your regular collection day to pick up your items that are eligible for Spring Recycle Days.  On this page you will learn what we take and what we can't take, and find answers to your most frequently asked questions.  

What We Take:
All scrap metal:  Please remove as many non-metal parts as possible. If it has too much plastic or wood, we will not take it. We do not have a specified weight limit, but please keep in mind that we use equipment to lift the heavy items.  While we can pick up a car axle or engine block, we cannot pick up an entire car.

Appliances:  There is a limit of 3 per household for the following items.  

• Dryers
• Hot water heaters
• Stoves
• Washers

Cardboard: We encourage you to put cardboard in your cart if there is room. If you have too much, you may place it outside of the cart – but only during Spring Recycle Days. After Spring Recycle Days, you will need to have it back inside your cart. Remember to prepare your cardboard:

• Flatten all boxes
• Reduce size to 3 feet by 3 feet
• Remove all metal (staples, etc.) and plastic from the cardboard
• Remember we take corrugated boxes only (boxes with the “waffle” in the middle)

Car and bicycle tires: Limit 4 per household. We take car, pick-up truck, and bicycle tires only. Please remove tires from rims. There must be no metal (rims) or plastic (like valve stem caps) left on the tires.

Metals: We will take steel, aluminum, cast iron, copper, brass, and tin. There is a size limit - maximum length is 8 feet.

Examples of what we can take: The items below are examples of what we can take.  Please be aware this is not a complete list.  If your items are not listed, be sure to check the "what we can't take" list below, or email us and we will tell you if it is eligible for pick up during Spring Recycle Days.  A word of caution, many newer appliances may not have enough metal in them to recycle.

• Axles (no oil)
• Barbecues (gas or charcoal)
• Bathtubs (metal or cast iron)
• Bicycles
• Car parts (fenders, doors, hoods, etc.)
• Copper wire without insulation
• Engine blocks (no oil)
• Exercise equipment (remove plastic parts)
• Fencing
• Lawn chairs (metal only - remove webbing)
• Lawnmowers – riding or push type (remove gas and oil)
• Metal appliances (non-refrigerated)
• Metal car parts
• Metal sinks
• Pipe
• Porcelain (please remove all metal and plastic parts) 
• Pots and pans
• Propane tanks – valve must be removed

What We Can’t Take: We will not take these items as part of Spring Recycle Days:

• Concrete
• Extra paper, bottles, glass, and cans outside of the cart
• Flower pots (plastic, pottery, or ceramic)
• Furniture
• Garbage
• Garden hoses
• Hazardous waste - Call the Thurston County Waste Line at (360) 786-5494
• Lawn umbrellas
• Microwaves
• Plastic items
• Plastic lawn furniture
• Plastic toasters or toaster ovens
• TVs
• Vacuum cleaners
• Window glass
• Wood products  

What about refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners? The Clean Air Act prohibits the improper disposal of appliances with chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). For safe disposal of CFC units, contact:

• Jaco Environmental's website or call (800) 414-5072
• Thurston County Waste & Recovery Center,
  at 2418 Hogum Bay Road, Lacey (360) 786-5494
• Welch’s Rent-to-Own (360) 352-7552

Frequently Asked Questions:
When will you pick up at my house? On your regular pick-up day only, during the week of April 22 through 25. Please have your items out by 6:00 a.m.

Will you take extra papers, bottles, cans, and glass if I place it alongside the cart? No. Your regular recyclables will need to be inside of the cart as normal. The automated trucks are not designed to pick up materials outside of the cart.

Why didn’t they pick up all my items? Please be patient. Different trucks will pick up different items throughout the day. You may also want to check to make sure the item is one we can accept. Keep in mind that crews generally work later than normal during Spring Recycle Days.

Where should I put my items for pick up? Near your regular pick-up spot. Please make sure items are clearly visible and not blocking our automated trucks access to your carts.

What if I set my items out late or miss my day? You will miss your chance for free pick up. It is important to have your items out on time on your day. Customers requesting a return trip will be charged regular pick-up fees.

Self-Haul Option Available: If you missed your pick up day, Thurston County has a similar program twice yearly called, "Community Recycle Days." The Spring 2008 events will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on:

• Saturday, May 10, at Thurston County Fairgrounds
• Saturday, May 17, at South Sound Speedway

Visit Thurston County's website for more detailed information, or call their WasteLine at (360) 786-5494.

Need More Information? Contact the Public Works office.

Address:      924 7th Ave. SE, Suite A 
                   Download a printer friendly (PDF) copy of directions to our office Hours:         Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone:        (360) 753-8588 
Email:         click here