Junk removal in Washington: what it costs and your cheaper options
Before you pay for junk removal in Washington, check two cheaper routes: your city's bulk pickup, which is often already paid for in your trash bill, and hauling it yourself to the county landfill or transfer station. Here's what each costs with real Washington fees, and when a crew is worth it.
Start with your city's pickup
Washington's transfer stations weigh every load, so a free pickup is worth chasing first:
- Tacoma residential customers get two Call-2-Haul pickups or self-haul trips a year, already paid for in their rates; each pickup takes up to three large items such as mattresses, couches and appliances. Call (253) 573-2468.
- In Mason County, including Shelton, curbside service runs through Mason County Garbage at (360) 426-8729.
Everywhere else, the transfer station is the fallback, and its minimum covers a small load: see the table below.
Haul it yourself: what Washington dumps charge
If you have a truck or trailer, the gate fee is usually small next to a hauler's price. Here is what the Washington sites we cover charge:
| Area | Small load (minimum) | Per ton after that | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $37 covers up to 420 lbs | $174 a ton; yard waste and clean wood $132 ($25 minimum) | Rates from April 1, 2026; recyclables free; unsecured-load surcharge $3 to $10 |
| King County (outside Seattle) | $40.25 covers up to 320 lbs | $243.38 a ton; yard waste and clean wood $129.38 ($20.70 minimum) | $25 for an unsecured load; a fee increase is announced for January 1, 2027 |
| Tacoma | City residents $20 for the first 400 lbs; everyone else $40 | Residents $7.25 per 100 lbs ($145 a ton); everyone else $8.50 ($170 a ton) | Yard waste free for City residents; bring proof of Tacoma residency |
| Spokane (City Waste to Energy Facility) | $24.93 covers up to 320 lbs | $152.60 a ton; clean green $76.95 ($8.19 minimum) | Plus $2.68 a vehicle; open every day |
| Spokane County (North County and Valley stations) | $17 covers up to 260 lbs | $135.63 a ton; yard waste $73.31 ($8 minimum) | Plus $3 a vehicle; $30 per refrigerant appliance; shorter hours November to March |
| Everett and Snohomish County | $30 covers up to 360 lbs | $160 a ton plus tax (since January 1, 2026) | No yard waste at County sites since 2022; recycling free |
| Thurston County (Olympia and Lacey) | $21 under 300 lbs | $136 a ton; yard waste $75 ($16 minimum) | Uncover your load before the scales; 2027 rates rise to $154 a ton |
| Puyallup (Pierce County, Hidden Valley) | $40.50 covers up to 400 lbs | $202.35 a ton; yard waste free under a ton | No checks; hazardous waste Tuesdays and Thursdays only |
| Richland and the Tri-Cities (Horn Rapids) | Richland residents $10 a load up to 1,200 lbs; everyone else $40 | Residents $51.10 a ton; everyone else $76.15 | Resident rate needs ID matching a City of Richland utility bill; closed Sundays |
| Yakima County (Terrace Heights and Cheyne) | $12 minimum | $46 a ton; clean yard and wood $23 ($7 minimum) | Cash or card only, no checks; refrigerant appliances $52.25 |
| Grant County (Ephrata Landfill, for Moses Lake) | $4.93 minimum | $49.33 a ton | Roughly 20 miles from Moses Lake; closed Sundays; $2 card fee |
| Kitsap County (Olympic View, Bremerton) | $42 covers up to 650 lbs | $128.94 a ton plus tax | Rural sites charge $15 a can instead; Silverdale closed until April 2027 |
| Vancouver and Clark County | A $10 fee every trip, plus weight | $118.65 a ton plus tax | TVs and monitors free; Washougal takes garbage only Wednesday, Friday and Saturday |
| Lewis County (Centralia and Morton) | $20 covers up to 340 lbs | $120 a ton plus tax; yard waste $100 ($15 minimum) | Long lines in Centralia after a Labor Day fire; closed Sundays |
| Skagit County (Mount Vernon) | $28 covers up to 380 lbs | $141 a ton (2026) | Rises to $145 in 2027 and $149 in 2028; hazardous waste free for households |
| Bellingham (RDS in Ferndale) | $15 minimum | $190 a ton plus tax; yard waste $110 | Privately run; open every day; mattresses $35 each |
| Port Angeles (Blue Mountain station) | $10 minimum | $338.28 a ton | Small household loads only, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; no trailers |
Bring proof of address: resident rates and free allowances almost always require it, and many sites charge outsiders more.
What Washington won't let you throw away
Pull these out before the junk goes to a landfill, whether you haul it or hire it out; a crew will charge extra to handle them:
| Item | Washington rule |
|---|---|
| Whole tires | Not banned — but dumping them is (RCW 70A.205.400) |
| Car batteries | Lead-acid banned — RCW 70A.205.505 |
| Appliances | No state ban |
| TVs and computers | No — but recycling is free |
Paint, chemicals and other household hazardous waste go to a county drop-off, usually free for residents.
When hiring junk removal is worth it
Hire a crew for heavy furniture, appliances, stairs, several loads, or a cleanout on a deadline. You pay for the crew's labor and the space your junk takes in their truck; their disposal cost is the same landfill rate shown above, so a small load you could fit in a pickup is usually cheaper to haul yourself.
Moving out? Start four weeks ahead: bulky pickups and hazardous waste drop-offs often run on limited schedules. Our moving cleanout guide has the week-by-week plan.
For every Washington landfill, transfer station and drop-off we cover, start from our Washington page, or see what it costs to dump in Washington.
Common questions
How much does junk removal cost in Washington?
Does Tacoma have free bulky item pickup?
What can't junk removal take in Washington?
Hours, fees and rules change. Always call the facility to confirm before you load up. Sources: what it costs to dump in Washington; our Washington city pages; moving cleanout guide.