Waste Container Colors and Labels

Washington adopted a color-code system for waste containers and lids in 2025. Research shows standard colors and labels improve recycling outcomes that lead to environmental benefits.

Starting in 2028, all waste collection containers given to customers by a solid waste service provider must be a specific color 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 cart, or they can be black

Containers in public places are also required to follow the color code if they are maintained by the city or county. In addition to color, hauler-provided containers and public collection containers managed by the local government need to be clearly labeled.

I want to...

What containers need to be color-coded?

The law requires color-coded bins and containers when they are smaller than 101 gallons and provided by a hauler to any customer, or when the container is managed by the local government in a public space. 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).
As part of the transition, the law sets key dates for haulers to begin purchasing the correct color bins (Aug. 1, 2025) and distributing them to customers (Jan. 1, 2028). Nobody needs to pull or replace bins that are incorrectly colored, if the bins were purchased or distributed before the deadlines and they are still functional.
If you are a municipal hauler and your jurisdiction signed a contract usage agreement to use Department of Enterprise Services statewide contracts, learn about how to use them when purchasing containers, carts, and labels.

Exemptions for container colors

Cities and counties may apply to Ecology for an exemption to the color-code requirements. Exemptions are not available to private haulers. We will have more information later. In the meantime, we encourage cities, counties, and haulers to reach out with their questions and concerns. Our staff are available to present at county Solid Waste Advisory Committees (SWACs) and other meetings.

Exemptions will exist for local governments to use different colored containers instead of the statewide color code, such as for these 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

Container and lid labeling

The law requires clear and obvious labels on containers and lids when they are provided by a hauler to any customer, or when containers are managed by the local government in a public space.
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 the city or county in a public space

Labels can be stickers, imprints, or embossments. The background of the label or the label 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 need to convey 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.

Unlike the color requirements, containers and lids must have a label 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).

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 any customer 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 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 and were purchased before Aug. 1, 2025, or 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 and plastic packaging that can be placed in residential curbside 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 is selected and writes a plan. Learn more and sign up for updates on the Recycling Reform Act webpage.