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Thurston County, Washington

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.

Public Works

Thurston County Waste & Recovery Center public tipping area

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 

​Before You Go

Who can use county facilities

Thurston County Solid Waste facilities are intended for use by people who live in Thurston County and businesses of Thurston County. 

Drop-Box facilities load size limit

  • Load size: Rainier and Rochester Drop-Box loads must be eight (8) cubic yards or less. Larger loads will be directed to the WARC. 
  • No mechanized dumping: Waste cannot be dumped at the drop-box facilities using vehicles with hydraulic or otherwise mechanized dump beds or trailers.  Customers must unload all materials by hand.

Secure your load

Washington law requires motorists to cover and secure their loads (RCW 46.61.655) to prevent cargo from breaking free. The Waste and Recovery Center (WARC) has an un-tarping area near the entrance. Please uncover loads before proceeding to the scales—this helps make the unloading process go more smoothly.

Follow these simple tips:

  • Place lighter items below heavier items to keep them in place. 
  • Tie down items using rope, netting, straps, or chains. Securely fasten large items directly to your vehicle.
  • Add extra protection by covering the entire load with a tarp or netting. Make sure that any covering is securely tied down.
  • Don't overload vehicles or trailers.
  • Double-check to be sure the load is secure.
  • Speed, weight, and gravity are not load securing devices. Ropes, straps, and netting are load securing devices.

Traffic at the Waste and Recovery Center (WARC)

The chart below shows the average traffic level at the WARC on different days and times. Visit during times marked green or yellow for the shortest wait times. Actual traffic and wait times may vary, especially due to special events or holidays. 

WARC traffic heatmap graphic
WARC traffic volume by time graphic

​Fees & Acceptance List

Payment options:
Cash, check, debit card, all major credit cards (Discover, Visa, AMEX and MasterCard only), and Apple Pay
Payment by debit or credit card has an additional $2.00 processing fee.

All rates include 3.6% state refuse tax where applicable.
NSF Fee:  $30.00 fee for insufficient funds

​MATERIAL ​FEE ​ADDITIONAL SPECIAL HANDLING FEES ​ACCEPTED AT:

Garbage
Household garbage, sod, railroad ties, appliances

Passenger tires (limit 5 per day per vehicle)

$18 minimum
(under 300 pounds)

$119 / ton (prorated)
 
Drop boxes: 
$18 / cubic yard
(Minimum 1 cu. yd.)

 

  • WARC
  • Rochester
  • Rainier

 

Construction and demolition debris
Includes, but is not limited to, lumber, building scraps, concrete, bricks, asphalt, sheetrock, wire, pipe, fencing, rocks/soil, and insulation, as well as remodeling debris such as carpet, flooring, cabinetry, and bathroom fixtures.
$18 minimum
(under 300 pounds)

$119 / ton (prorated)

Drop boxes: 
$31 / cubic yard
(Minimum 1 cu. yd.)

  • WARC
  • Rochester 
  • Rainier
Roofing debris
Includes, but is not limited to, asphalt shingles, wood shingles, and metal roofing.

$18 minimum
(under 300 pounds)
 

$119 / ton (prorated)

Drop boxes: 
$48 / cubic yard
(Minimum 1 cu. yd.)

  • WARC
  • Rochester 
  • Rainier
TVs and monitors
Fee applies to all TVs and monitors.

$18 minimum
(under 300 pounds)

$119 / ton (prorated)
$18 / item special handling fee added to the regular garbage fee
  • ​WARC only
Asbestos
See preparation and labeling requirements here.

$22 minimum
(under 300 pounds)
 

$143 / ton

  • ​WARC only
Refrigerated appliances
Such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioning units, water coolers, dehumidifiers, etc.​

$18 minimum
(under 300 pounds)

$119 / ton (prorated)
$18/ item special handling fee added to the regular garbage fee
  • ​WARC only

Food and yard waste

See list of accepted materials. 


Note: Mixed loads of garbage and food/yard waste will be charged the garbage rate.

$9 minimum
(under 300 pounds)

$45 / ton (less than 10 cubic yards, prorated)

$37 / ton (10+ cubic yards, prorated)

  • ​WARC only

Recyclables

(clean, dry and separated by material type)

  • Plastic bottles, jars, jugs, buckets, dairy tubs and yogurt cups
  • Aluminum and tin cans
  • Mixed paper
  • Cardboard (flattened)
  • Glass bottles and jars
​No Charge
  • ​WARC
  • Rochester
  • Rainier
Donations

Clothing
(clean and gently used)

​No Charge
  • WARC
  • Rochester
  • Rainier​

Curbside Service

Thurston County does not provide or oversee curbside waste collection services. Contact the service provider in your area to set up service or ask a question. See the service chart.

View, download, or print your current curbside service acceptance list:

Thurston County Recycling and Compost Guide.pdf

Thurston County Recycling and Compost Guide - Español.pdf

City of Olympia Accepted Materials Guide.pdf

Not finding what you need? Visit WhereDoITakeMy.org for more info. 

Bulky Item Pickup

Both the City of Olympia and LeMay Enterprises pick up large, bulky items for disposal for an extra fee. They also have bins that can be placed at your location for those larger clean-up jobs. Contact your service provider.

Outdoor Burning

Questions and concerns regarding outdoor burning should be directed to the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA). ORCAA is a local government agency with authority for air quality issues in Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties.

Construction & Demolition (C&D)

C&D debris represents more than 7% of the trash thrown away in Thurston County. The good news is much of it is reusable or recyclable. Check our recycling page for tips on how to reduce your C&D garbage haul before visiting a county facility. 

Remember, county facilities cannot recycle C&D debris. Any waste taken to the Waste and Recovery Center or either drop-box facility will be charged and processed as garbage.

Asbestos

Asbestos may be found in a wide range of household and manufactured goods. To find out how to properly label and dispose of asbestos-containing materials, review the fees and special handling information for the HazoHouse at the Waste and Recovery Center. 

A permit is required prior to the removal of asbestos. For details, please go to the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency website or call (360) 539-7610.