Business Resources
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For Your Business
We are here to help you have a successful recycling program! Our free programs include:
- Waste evaluations and recommendations
- Presentations on waste reduction, recycling, and food and yard waste collection
- Educational materials such as posters and labels
- Right-size your garbage/recycling service levels
- Staff training
Request assistance for your business here.
Curbside Collection of garbage, recycling and organics is managed by private companies and not overseen by Thurston County.
Contact the service provider in your area to set up services or ask a question. See the service area provider chart below.
| Waste Hauler | Service Area | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| City of Olympia | Within city limits | (360) 753-8340 |
| Butler's Cove | Cooper Point and Steamboat Island | (360) 923-0111 |
| Rural Refuse | Yelm and Rainier | (360) 923-0111 |
| LeMay Pacific Disposal | Lacey, Tumwater, Summit Lake, and the rest of unincorporated north Thurston County | (360) 923-0111 |
| Joe's Refuse | Bucoda | (360) 278-3525 Bucoda City Hall |
| Joe's Refuse | Tenino, Rochester and the rest of south Thurston County | (360) 736-4769 |
If you are, or know of additional, waste and recycling service providers, please contact thurstonsolidwaste@co.thurston.wa.us to be added to the list.
Drop-off Locations
Waste and Recovery Center (WARC)
Address: 2420 Hogum Bay Road NE, Lacey, WA 98516
Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 8 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
Access: Use the north entrance at the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center.
Rainier Drop-Box
Address: 13010 Rainier Acres Road SE, Rainier, WA 98576
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Rochester Drop-Box
Address: 16500 Sargent Road SW, Rochester, WA 98579
Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
All county drop-off locations are closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, July 4, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day
Acceptance Lists
- More info on what is accepted for Recycling
- More info on what is accepted for Garbage
- More info on what is accepted for Food & Yard Waste
Statewide Policies & Special Recycling Programs
Washington State is addressing waste reduction through statewide policies. Depending on your business type, the polices may influence your purchasing and operations.
Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban
Plastic bags are a major contaminant in Washington recycling facilities, waterways, roadways, and environment. The ban eliminates many types of single-use plastic and charges for carryout bags. Find more information about the Washington single-use plastic bag ban here.
Single-Use Serviceware Law
Beginning in 2022, businesses can no longer automatically include single-use times in customer orders. The items include utensils, stirrers, straws, cold cup lids, and sauce or condiment packets. Customers must confirm they want single-use items or select items from self-service bins. Businesses may not provide single-use items by default. Find out more about single-use serviceware.
Paint Stewardship: PaintCare
The program makes it easier for some businesses and Washington residents to recycle their unused and unwanted latex and oil paints for free. Retail locations can also serve as collection points. Get involved with PaintCare.
Events Recycling Law
Washington State’s Recycling Law (RCW 70.93.093) requires recycling at official gatherings and sport facilities by vendors who sell beverages in single-use aluminum, glass, or plastic bottles or cans. Event coordinators should work directly with their waste hauler or consider our Borrow-A-Bin program.
LightRecycle Washington
All mercury-containing lights must be recycled since mercury is a potent neurotoxin particularly harmful to children, infants, and fetuses. The small amounts in single light bulbs add up quick. Participate in LightRecycle.
Electronics: E-Cycle Washington
Recycle select electronics including televisions, computers, laptops, monitors, tablets, e-readers, and portable DVD players for free. Businesses under 50 employees, charitable organizations, schools, and small governments are eligible to participate. Find E-Cycle WA locations.
Styrofoam/Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Ban
Effective June 1, 2024, Washington State law bans the sale and distribution of several types of expanded polystyrene products, commonly known by the trademarked brand Styrofoam.
This includes portable coolers and food service products like containers, plates, bowls, clam shells, trays, and cups. Packing peanuts and loose-fill packaging were banned in June 2023.
Information on how this impacts your business, along with available resources, can be viewed here.
Recycling is an excellent option; however, it is best to think about reducing from the start! Request our assistance for specific waste reduction ideas for your business.
Tips to eliminate waste
- Provide reusable dishware in breakrooms and eliminate single-use items like paper cups and plates, plastic utensils, and condiments.
- Set all printers to have double-sided as the default.
- Install a filter on the tap water rather than using a water dispenser or single-use bottles.
- Reuse trash can liners by emptying trashcan contents into a single bag.
- Refill office supplies by purchasing refillable ink cartridges, tape dispenser, and pens.
Tips to reuse
- Donate unwanted furniture, equipment, building materials, or other items to a local charity or second-hand store. Look up donation options on WhereDoITakeMy.org.
- Borrow or rent items such as tools and equipment instead of buying them.
Construction & Demolition (C&D) Disposal
Recycling, salvaging, and reusing construction waste can reduce disposal costs and save natural resources. While there is not a single drop-off location for C&D material reuse and recycling, you'll find there are alternative disposal opportunities in Thurston and nearby counties. Materials may need to be separated to recycle them.
Items Frequently Desired for Reuse:
It is important to carefully dismantle materials to salvage components for reuse before demolition. There may also be leftover materials after finishing a project. Items frequently desired for reuse include:
- Bricks
- Cabinets
- Doors and hardware
- Lighting and plumbing fixtures
- Lumber
- Paint
- Windows (double-pane)
- Wood trim
Items Commonly Recycled:
If something cannot be reused, the next best option is recycled. Recycling C&D materials often costs money; however, the fee is typically less than the disposal rate at the Waste & Recovery Center. Specialty recycling facilities in our area accept the following items:
- Aggregate (concrete, asphalt, rock)
- Drywall
- Metal
- Paint
- Roofing shingles
- Styrofoam
- Untreated wood
- And more
C&D Tips and Resources:
Tips
- Research disposal options
- Identify materials for reuse and recycling in a C&D plan.
- Use contractors experienced in C&D materials reuse and recycling initiatives.
- Incorporate C&D materials reuse and recycling language in contract specifications.
- Set-up the worksite
- Place bins in locations that will prevent misuse or contamination and label them.
- Educate subcontractors about what materials are to be recycled and where to put them.
- Coordinate pickup
- Work directly with your garbage hauler or recycler to coordinate pickup or delivery.
Resources
Dangerous Waste Disposal
Many businesses generate some form of dangerous waste – waste that's potentially harmful to our health and environment. Dangerous waste has one or more of the following properties: toxic, ignitable, corrosive, or reactive. Common examples of dangerous waste include aerosols, pesticides, used oils, florescent lights, paints, and batteries.
The Small Quantity Generators (SQG) program helps qualifying businesses, agencies, and organization (including churches and non-profits) follow dangerous waste regulations. Your business is a Small Quantity Generator if it generates less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month and stores no more than 2,200 pounds of hazardous waste on site at any one time.
Become a Small Quantity Generator (SQG)
- Determine which disposal rules apply to your business on Ecology's Dangerous Waste Guidance page.
- Follow the steps outlined by the Department of Ecology for your determined generator category.
- Call 360-867-2912 to schedule a disposal appointment at HazoHouse. For more details, visit HazoHouse's webpage here.
Visit the HazoHouse webpage for directions and hours of operation.
Commercial Food & Yard Waste
With the passing of the Organics Management Law in 2022, there will be new food and yard waste requirements certain businesses will need to meet starting in 2024. Learn about the law, if your business will be impacted, and available assistance here.
Thurston County Recycling & Garbage Guide
Thurston County Food & Yard Waste Guides: Drop-off & Curbside
Thurston County HazoHouse
Washington State Waste & Toxics Reduction Laws
Business Recycling Signs*
- Large (18x24)
- Medium (11x17)
*Print these signs or email us to request printed signs.
Recycling Made Easy
Take action to ensure your workplace is recycling right. By following the 6-step process below you can start a recycling program or evaluate the one you already have. As you walk through your building, note the simple changes you can do and then make the updates.
Place recycling and garbage containers next to each other in high trafficked areas such as breakrooms, hallways, workrooms, and lobbies. People are more likely to recycle if it is convenient.
All businesses with recycling service in Thurston County (excluding City of Olympia customers) can recycle the materials found on the recycling guide. Check annually as recyclable materials periodically change. Use the Where Do I Take My? tool to search disposal options for specific materials. Contact us with any questions.
Keep bin colors and styles consistent throughout the building. Typically, black is for trash, blue for recycling, and green for food waste (compost). Have a sign on and above each bin as a quick reminder on how to properly sort the waste. We can provide signs and labels!
Ensure employees know how to use the recycling program by including recycling information in team emails or at a meeting. If the recycling guide changes, let everyone know about these updates.
Communicate directly with janitorial services and review the contract. Some negotiations may be needed to have janitorial service empty additional bins or materials. Proper collection of recyclables is essential to the success of your recycling program.
The best solution is often eliminating the waste from the start by using alternative products. For example, provide reusable cups in the break room and set the printer’s default to double-sided. There are also options to donate unwanted items and even prevent food waste by participating in our Thurston Food Rescue Program.