Food & Yard Waste

Drop-off Location

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.

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. 

Food & yard waste limits

Waste and Recovery Center (WARC): Food waste is only accepted for composting Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday, food waste is treated as garbage and charged regular garbage rates.
Rainier and Rochester Drop-Box Facilities: All food and yard waste is treated as garbage and charged regular garbage rates.

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

The drop-off guide for food and yard waste accepted at the Waste and Recovery Center (WARC) is helpful if self-hauling.

MATERIAL	FEE	ACCEPTED AT:
Food and yard waste The WARC accepts: Yard waste Grass, branches, leaves, plants and flowers Wooden pallets, wood boxes, and lumber scraps (NOT treated, painted or stained–Nails are OK) NOT ACCEPTED: Noxious weeds and problem plants–see list below Dirt, rocks, root balls, and sod Food scraps Fruits and vegetables Bread, pasta, pizza, and rice Dairy and eggshells Meat and bones Seafood and shells Food-soiled paper Kitchen paper towels and napkins Coffee grounds, filters, and tea bags 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

MATERIAL

FEE

ACCEPTED AT:

Food and yard waste

The WARC accepts:

Yard waste

Grass, branches, leaves, plants and flowers
Wooden pallets, wood boxes, and lumber scraps (NOT treated, painted or stained–Nails are OK)
NOT ACCEPTED:
- Noxious weeds and problem plants–see list below
- Dirt, rocks, root balls, and sod

Food scraps

Fruits and vegetables
Bread, pasta, pizza, and rice
Dairy and eggshells
Meat and bones
Seafood and shells

Food-soiled paper

Kitchen paper towels and napkins
Coffee grounds, filters, and tea bags

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

Unacceptable Materials

These items are not acceptable as food and yard waste. Please place them in your garbage.

Rocks, soil, root balls, or sod
Treated, stained, or painted wood (no plywood or particle board)
Noxious weeds—dispose of them as garbage.
Certain noxious weeds qualify for free disposal.
Please contact Thurston County Noxious Weeds for more information about noxious weeds.
- Butterfly bush
- Common fennel
- Orange hawkweed
- Diffuse knapweed
- Spotted knapweed
- Tansy ragwort
- Wild chervil
- Gorse
- Poison hemlock
- Meadow knapweed
- Spurge Laurel
Problem plants—dispose of them as garbage.
- Bamboo and roots
- Blackberry
- Ivy (all kinds)
- Palm fronds
- Pampas grass
- Scotch broom
Stumps over 24 inches in diameter
Liquids, fats, oils, or grease
Shredded paper
Plastics of any kind
Bags of any kind including paper, compostable, or biodegradable
Compostable cups, utensils plates, or bowls

Curbside Service

Garbage, recycling, and organics are collected in Thurston County by the City of Olympia and LeMay. For information on food and yard waste collection services, contact your hauler directly.

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.

Waste Less Food

The average family wastes about 250 pounds of edible food each year. This is a waste of resources and costs a family of four about $130 a month. Find some tips and tools to reduce your food waste on our Waste Less Food page.

Businesses interested in donating food (including prepared foods) should explore our Business page.

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.

Home Compost

Visit the website for the Thurston County Master Recycler Composter program to:

Learn about the benefits of home composting.
Access plans for home compost systems that match a variety of homes and lifestyles.
Find a home composting workshop at a local demonstration garden.
Register for the Master Recycler Composter training and volunteer in your community.

Thurston County, Washington

Public Works