FAQ

How do we start or stop refuse service?
Please call our offices at (253) 564-3212 to start or discontinue refuse services. If you are a renter of a residence or tenant of a commercial property, we will need contact information for your landlord or the owner of the property in order to begin service.

We need to find out what day garbage service is in our neighborhood.
The curbside garbage, yardwaste and recycling pick-up day varies across residential areas in the city, but all three services are provided on the same day. For example, your garbage might be picked up every Tuesday, but your yardwaste and recycling will be picked up every other Tuesday. To find out the collection schedule for your neighborhood, call our offices at (253) 564-3212. 

If I go on vacation can I terminate the garbage service?
If you will be gone more than a month, we can temporarily stop your service. When you return to town, you must notify us. Please notify the office in advance of vacations. When you return, you must call the office at (253) 564-3212 to restart. To avoid the possibility of extra charges, call first before putting out bin(s).

I have a question with my bill. Who do I contact?
Our goal is to provide you with quality customer service and accurate billing. If you have questions about your bill, feel that your bill is incorrect or you would like a detailed explanation of your bill, please call us Monday-Friday, 8:30 am--4:30 pm, at (253) 564-3212  Please have your name, account number, and service address handy.

What does the "2" mean under "units" on my bill?

"Units" on the bill indicates the number of months being billed.

How much does refuse service cost?
Please contact UP Refuse (253-564-3212) for more info.

Dimensions and Weight Limits of Toters
Customers are required to not exceed these weights, which depend on the size of your bins.  These weight limits are the same for all commodities:

  • 24 Gallon Toter  -  50 lbs.
  • 48 Gallon Toter  -  100 lbs.
  • 64 Gallon Toter  -  130 lbs.
  • 96 Gallon Toter  -  200 lbs. 

Are there any restrictions on what I put in my garbage can?
Yes. No garbage toter shall contain earth, sod, rocks, heavy refuse, construction debris or hot ashes. These items cause damage to the collection equipment.

Who do I call if my cart is not picked up?
If you should be missed, you must call that day or the day after to report it. If the missed can is due to no fault of the collector, additional charge will be assessed to your account for the return trip.

Why wasn't my garbage picked up?
University Place Refuse has a very dependable, automated refuse collection system and your garbage should be picked up each week. However, there are some reasons why your garbage may not be picked up:
  • Make sure your refuse container is out by 6:00 am.
  • Please allow appropriate clearance around your toters: 3 feet on all sides, 5 feet from cars, and 18 feet overhead clearance.
  • Make sure the container is within one to four feet of the curb or alley line with the handle facing away from the street or alley.
  • Make sure only household refuse is in the container (appliances, tires, and other oversized refuse are not accepted). Larger items may become lodged in your container and keep your container from being emptied completely.
  • Your refuse container lid must be completely closed. Please do not overfill your container.

If you should be missed, you must call that day or the day after to report it. If the missed can is due to no fault of the collector, additional charge will be assessed to your account for the return trip.

Where do I purchase extra pickup bags?
You will no longer need to pre-purchase extra tags to place on each extra can, box or bag of garbage. All extra garbage will still have to be tagged for pickup, but now we just add the amount to your next garbage bill. You may use the extra tags that we can provide you, or you can make your own, using durable card stock or cardboard. Be sure to include your name, address, account number and date, printed plainly in ballpoint pen. Extra garbage tagged items can't exceed 45 pounds weight, 32 gallons or 4 cubic feet.

How do I sign up for Yard Waste Collection?
Please call our office at (253) 564-3212 to sign up for yard waste service. We offer the choice of the standard 95-gallon or the 64-gallon size for those who want a smaller size. For the customer who requests more than one Toter, there will be a nominal charge.

How does Yard Waste Collection work?
Yard waste is picked up every other week, the same day as your recycling pickup. If you want yard waste collection service, you must use a Toter provided by us as your primary yard waste container. Extra yard waste is not accepted in plastic bags; however, you may use garbage cans and bundles for additional yard waste after your Toter is filled, but only if it is properly tagged, as described below. The Yard Waste Toter weight limit is 200 pounds.

Additional Yard Waste Toters are available for a nominal fee each per month. If you need a special pickup for Yard Waste Toters, there is a fee. Call us at (253) 564-3212 for rates. You can read more information about Yard Waste collection on our Yard Waste page.

How do I have extra Yard Waste collected?
If you have extra Yard Waste, please use a GREEN extra Yard Waste collection tag. If you have more Yard Waste than will fit in your Toter, additional Yard Waste can be placed out on your collection day. Each extra Yard Waste can, box, bag or bundle must be tagged for pickup, and the cost will be added to your next garbage bill. Make sure to use the green tags marked "Extra Yard Waste" because they are less than half the cost of the extra garbage tags. Tags must be filled out completely and attached to the extra item to insure proper billing. You may use the extra tags that we provide, or you may make your own, using a durable card stock, or cardboard. Be sure to include your name, address, account number, date, and in large print the words "Yard Waste"; printed plainly in ball-point pen. Note: if a bag is used for extra Yard Waste, make sure to leave the top open and untied so the driver can empty it out. The empty bag will be left behind. Extra Yard Waste tagged items can't exceed 45 lbs., 32 gal., 4 cu. ft.; or 3 feet in length for branches.

How do I get my Yard Waste Toter or Recycling Cart replaced or repaired? To request a repair for damage to a UP Refuse toter or cart, call our offices to get a replacement cart or to get your refuse cart repaired.

Do you have a special spring clean up for branches?
Yes, we provide a Spring Oversized Brush Pickup Day, usually in April. Place oversized brush at the curb for pickup on your regular Recycling/Yard Waste collection day. Rules: Branches and limbs only, no larger than 4" in diameter. No stumps. Limit the pile size to 6' x 6' x 6'. See your monthly bill for more information about seasonal collections.

If I use the Tacoma Landfill, will I be charged?
Please contact UP Refuse (253-564-3212) for more info.

How do I sign up for recycling collection?
Please call our office, (253) 564-3212, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to4:30 p.m. to let us know you'd like to participate in the recycling program.

Is recycling service available for residents of apartments, townhouses and condominiums?
Owners of multi-family homes (those with 5 or more units on one parcel) such as apartments, townhouses and condominiums can provide recycling services for residents. Check with the manager or owner of your unit for more information. If you are a manager or owner, and want to start recycling or yardwaste pick up at your units, please contact our offices. We'd love to discuss a plan that would work best for your tenants.

What type of plastics can be recycled?
All plastic bottles and containers with openings smaller than the base or widest part. These containers typically include pop bottles; milk, water, and juice jugs; cooking oil and liquor bottles; and detergent containers. See our recycling page for more info.

How do I recycle my Christmas tree?                                                                                     Christmas trees must be cut and placed in your yard waste toter

What is the Fall/Spring Clean Ups? Who can participate?
We do these seasonal cleanups where you can bring your "Spring Cleaning" to our offices and recycling center at 2815 Rochester St. W. (1/2 block South of 27th St. W., behind Cheers West). Residents of University Place and Fircrest may bring in the following items for disposal and recycling: Yard Waste, Wood, Metal, Concrete, Tires, Car Batteries. No liquids, paint, or hazardous materials. Limit: 1 load. See our UP Refuse newsletterl for details.

What do I do with large items (appliances, furniture)?
We do accept appliances at our Recycling Center for a fee. Scrap metal and appliance recycling is only available from Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.--2:00 p.m. due to the special needs of this kind of recycling. These items can also be picked up at the curb for an additional fee.  Please call our office for more details.

Where can I dispose of my old paint ?
Latex paint is water-based and generally is not considered hazardous. We can only accept latex paint in a hardened form. If you have a little paint left in the can, you can speed the drying process by mixing in an absorbent, such as concrete or cement mix, kitty litter, or thinly cut strips of newspaper. If the paint can is too full to add an absorbent, line a cardboard box with a plastic bag, pour in paint and mix with an absorbent.

Oil-based paint must be disposed of at the Tacoma Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

What is the proper method for disposing of hazardous liquids or materials?
All Pierce County residents can dispose of their household hazardous waste, free of charge, at the Tacoma Hazardous Waste Collection Facility. The facility is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week at 3510 South Mullen (take the Fircrest/Center Street exit off State Route 16).

Materials accepted: adhesives, antifreeze, car and household batteries, dyes, flammable liquids, herbicides, household cleaners, used motor oil, pesticides, pool chemicals, solve-based paint, solvents, and tars.

Materials NOT accepted: 55-gallon drums, latex paint, asbestos, biological waste, compressed-gas containers, explosives, radioactive materials, or waste produced by businesses.
For more information, call the Health Department's Household Hazardous Waste Line: 1-800-287-6429. This service is available through the cooperative efforts of Pierce County, the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department..

How do I dispose of used motor oil?
As part of a program with the City of Tacoma, Pierce County and area businesses, many locations have oil collection facilities. Jiffy Lube and Schuck's accept up to 5 gallons. Tacoma Landfill and transfer station sites accept larger volumes. For other sites listed, please call ahead. Most sites are self-serve and you will empty your own container into the tank. Use 5 gallon (or smaller) oil containers. No drums or barrels. See the Pierce County Oil Recycling brochure (PDF file) for more information and locations.


How can I dispose of batteries?
What is compost?
Compost is broken down, decomposed organic materials--leaves, grass, leaves, garden or food waste. After processing at our state-of-the-art facility, it forms a dark, crumbly material chocked full of nutrients for your plants and lawn. It can help lighten wet, clay soils, aerate your lawn and garden, and allow you to grow larger, more healthy plants. Sandy soils also benefit from compost because it helps soil hold water and nutrients.

I'm interested in working at UP Refuse.
We're always looking for dependable, friendly individuals who work well in a team setting. Please contact our office for a job application if you think you'd like to join the UP Refuse team.

Frequently Asked Questions