Waste container colors and labels

Register for September webinars

On Sept. 16, 2026 (10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Pacific), Ecology will talk about the law and where you can find resources when you have questions. Then, hear from haulers in Washington and California as they share how they switched out customer carts to adopt new colors during Color-Coding for Clarity: Making Washington’s New Bin Standards Work. Register in advance.

On Sept. 30, 2026 (10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Pacific), come learn about research-based best practices for labeling containers, then stay for case studies from places that have adopted consistent labels during Labeling for Clarity: Best Practices for Washington’s Waste Containers. Register in advance.

Washington adopted a color-code for waste containers and lids in 2025. Studies show that standard bin colors and labels can improve recycling outcomes that lead to environmental benefits.

Starting in 2028, all waste collection containers given to a customer by their hauler must be one of the following colors to show what type of waste goes in the bin.

Garbage containers must be gray or black
Recycling containers must be blue
Organic waste containers must be green or brown
Lids must be the same color as the container, or they can be black

Containers in public places are also required to follow the color code if they are maintained by the local government or provided by a waste hauler as part of collection service. In addition to color, these bins must also be clearly labeled.

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What containers need to be color-coded?

As of Aug. 1, 2025, haulers can only purchase solid waste containers that match the state’s color code. Up until Jan. 1, 2028, haulers can continue providing customers with another colored cart if the cart was purchased before August 2025.

In 2028, haulers must provide color-coded bins to customers when the bins are smaller than 101 gallons. The color code also applies to containers in public spaces that are provided by a hauler or managed by the local government.

A container must be color-coded if all the following are true:

Smaller than 101 gallons
Bought after Aug. 1, 2025
Provided to a customer or in a public area after Jan. 1, 2028

Unaffected containers

Businesses who provide bins and containers for their customers or staff are not required to follow the color-code, although it is encouraged. The same is true for large bins (101 gallons or more).

Nobody needs to pull or replace bins that are incorrectly colored, if the bins are still functional and were purchased before August 2025 and distributed before January 2028.

Exemptions for container colors

Ecology will have exemptions for the color-code requirements available before January 2028. Exemptions will be available to local governments and haulers.

We encourage cities, counties, and haulers to reach out with their questions and concerns. Our staff can present at county Solid Waste Advisory Committees (SWACs) and other meetings. We suggest local governments and their haulers discuss long-term plans to adopt the color code or apply for an exemption.

Exemptions will exist to use different colored containers instead of the statewide color code in the following situations:

Charity: Charitable programs like fundraising for a nonprofit organization
More time: A plan to transition to the required colors with an alternate or extended timeline
Green garbage carts: Using dark green for garbage carts, if easy to distinguish from green organics carts
Infeasible: If the color code is not feasible, Ecology may accept an alternative plan to reduce contamination

If a local government or hauler plans to apply for an exemption involving an alternative color code, they will need to explain how visitors and new residents will know the area has a different color code than the rest of the state as part of their application.

Container and lid labeling

Any container that a hauler provides – for a customer or in a public space – must have a clear and obvious label on its body and lid. The same is true for containers in public spaces that are managed by the local government.

A container and its lid must be labeled by Jan. 1, 2028, if either of the following is true:

Container provided by a hauler to a customer
Container provided by a hauler, city, or county in a public space

Labels can be stickers, imprints, or embossments. The label's background or its text must use the same color code required for containers. For example, labels on recycling bins must use blue in the background or text.

Labels can use text, graphics, or both. At a minimum, they must show the material category (i.e., garbage, recycling, or organic waste). We encourage labels in multiple languages and more specific examples of materials that are allowed in the bin. For example, calling out yard waste and food waste on the organics bin label.

Containers and lids must have labels regardless of size. For large containers that hold 1 cubic yard or more of material, the label area needs to be at least 1 square foot (144 square inches) with text that is five inches or larger.

There are no exemptions available for labeling requirements.

Frequently asked questions

There are two deadlines in the law.

As of Aug. 1, 2025, any container or lid purchased by a hauler must follow the state’s color code.

By Jan. 1, 2028, bins of any size or color must have a clear and obvious label. This applies to containers provided by a hauler to a customer or put in a public space and containers maintained by the city or county in a public space.

After Jan. 1, 2028, any container smaller than 101 gallons that is given to a customer by a hauler or put in a public place by a hauler or the local government must follow the color code requirements. This applies to new service and replacement carts for customers. However, containers do not need to be pulled if they are still functional, purchased before Aug. 1, 2025, and distributed before Jan. 1, 2028.

The law does not allow us to grant an exemption specifically for this scenario. However, this could be a factor in why a city or county applies for an exemption once they are available. If you or your hauler finds that the correct color containers are prohibitively expensive or not available, do your best to document the situation. This could be helpful for providing evidence of the need for exemption once they are available.

Chapter 70A.200.090 RCW requires Ecology to have a rule about labeling litter receptacles. The rule (Chapter 173-310 WAC) was passed in 1975 and last updated in 2000. For bins in public spaces, the city or county can choose whether to treat them as public collection bins or “litter receptacles.”

If a local government chooses to use litter receptacles, they need to follow the minimum standards and other requirements in chapter 173-310 WAC. Otherwise, bins need to follow the color code and labeling requirements passed in 2025.

The Recycling Reform Act does not directly impact the requirements to color-code and label bins and lids. The Recycling Reform Act will determine a statewide list of paper products, packaging, and other materials that can be placed in residential curbside recycling bins. The producer responsibility organization (PRO) may also provide label templates for the state. We will know more about eligible uses of program funds after the PRO writes a plan. Learn more and sign up for updates on the Recycling Reform Act webpage.