Garbage Disposal Information

Waste and Recovery Center Rates

Payment Methods

The Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center accepts cash, checks, debit cards and credit cards.  (Note: All transactions are rounded to the nearest dollar. Scales determine weight in 20-pound increments.)  All rates include 3.6% state refuse tax where applicable.

Garbage brought to the Waste and Recovery Center is processed at an on-site transfer station. Once processed, the garbage is trucked to Centralia and boards a train to Klickitat County in Eastern Washington. The garbage is then buried at the Roosevelt Regional Landfill, owned by Allied Waste.

2012 Waste and Recovery Center Garbage Rates  

Yard and garden trimmings

Take yard and garden trimmings to the Yard Debris Site at the Waste and Recovery Center. Click here for a list of materials accepted in this area.

• Loads weighing 300 pounds or less = $9.00
• Loads weighing more than 300 pounds = $45.00 per ton, prorated. One ton is 2,000 pounds, so the per-ton garden rate is 2.25 cents per pound.

Remember to keep yard and garden trimmings separate from the rest of the garbage, otherwise, you'll be charged the higher garbage rate for the entire load.

Garbage

• Loads weighing 300 pounds or less = $18.00
• Loads weighing more than 300 pounds = $119.00 per ton, prorated. One ton is 2,000 pounds, so the per-ton garbage rate is 5.95 cents per pound.

This rate also applies to construction and demolition debris, sheetrock, roofing, non-refrigerated appliances, furniture and vehicle tires. (There is a 5-tire limit per customer per day)

Interested in having an organization pick up and remove your appliances at the curb? Click here for more information.  

Special handling fees for refrigerated appliances

•  Refrigerated appliances: add a $18 handling fee to the garbage rate above

Computers, laptops, monitors, TVs and e-book readers

Computers, laptops, monitors, TVs and e-book readers (such as the Kindle and Nook) are free through Washington's E-Cycle program. Take these items to the Goodwill donation station located across from the outbound scales.  Several other locations accept these items as well. Click here for information.

Note: The E-Cycle program is available to residents, nonprofits, small businesses, schools and local governments only.

Asbestos

 You must call the Thurston County Public Works Department at 867-2491 to make an appointment at least 12 hours in advance of disposing of asbestos.

• Loads weighing 300 pounds or less = $22.00
• Loads weighing more than 300 pounds = $143 per ton, prorated. One ton is 2,000 pounds, so the per-ton asbestos rate is about 7.15 cents per pound.

Cover Your Load

Washington State law requires that all loads be secured. Click here for details. Loose loads that are not covered may be charged a 50 percent  litter surcharge.

Contact Us

Call Thurston County Public Works at (360) 867-2491 or e-mail ThurstonSolidWaste@co.thurston.wa.us.