What to Recycle
Use your recycling container to recycle bottles, cans, plastic containers, scrap paper, newspaper and cardboard. Place aerosol cans, batteries (lead-acid), cords/wiring, scrap metal, string lights, and used motor oil next to recycling container for pick-up.
Single-Stream Curbside Recycling
Single-stream curbside recycling is rolling out to city of Bellingham neighborhoods.
Service by Location
SSC is proud to serve residents in Bellingham, Ferndale, and the majority of unincorporated Whatcom County. Residential recycling service is available to all single-family residences and multi-family units (up to four units).
City of Bellingham Recycling Service
Curbside recycling pick-up is included with your garbage service, no matter how often your garbage is collected. SSC provides a 90-gallon recycling Toter with every-other-week collection. Three stack recycling bins with weekly service are being phased out.
Single-stream curbside recycling customers: Place all empty and clean recyclables (including cardboard) in your SSC recycling Toter.
Prepare your recyclables:
- Scrap paper and newspaper
- Bottles, cans, and plastic containers
- Cardboard
- And More….
City of Ferndale Recycling Service
Every-other-week recycling pick-up is included with your garbage service, no matter how often your garbage is collected. SSC provides three stacking recycling bins.
Prepare and sort your recyclables:
- Scrap paper and newspaper
- Bottles, cans, and plastic containers
- Cardboard
- And More….
Whatcom County Recycling Service
Every-other-week recycling pick-up is included with your garbage service, no matter how often your garbage is collected. SSC provides three stacking recycling bins.
Prepare and sort your recyclables:
- Scrap paper and newspaper
- Bottles, cans, and plastic containers
- Cardboard
- And More….
Single-Stream Curbside Recycling
If you live in Bellingham, all recyclables that you would otherwise have placed in the stack three recycling bins now go in the 90-gal. recycling Toter. Cardboard should be placed IN the recycling Toter. For reminders on how to prepare materials for single-stream recycling visit Preparing Your Recyclables.
Additional recyclable items that were set next to your stack three recycling bins for pick-up, including used motor oil, vehicle and sealed lead acid batteries (SLA) batteries, scrap metal (inc. non-hazardous aerosol cans, cords, and wiring) may be placed in a box and set next to your recycling Toter for collection.
Thank you for partnering with us on single-stream curbside recycling — we look forward to seeking more ways to improve sustainability throughout our service area.
Single-Stream (commingled) Recycling FAQs
Collection Day Guide
Follow these guidelines to ensure the SSC Truck can effectively reach your containers.
Curb Placement
Place 90-gallon recycling Toter at the curb with the handle facing toward the house.
Container Distance
Keep at least three feet of clear space on all sides. Do not place bins near other garbage/recycling containers, trees, shrubs, utility poles, mailboxes, or vehicles.
Be sure to have your containers in place the evening before your recycling collection day to ensure you don’t miss the truck in the morning. Unable to get your containers to the curb? Contact us to learn about our pack-out service.
Extra Recycling
Moderate quantities of extra materials can be placed next to recycling bins in an open cardboard box or plastic container no larger than your SSC recycling bins. Additional recycling bins are available for a fee. You can also bring excess recycling to one of our transfer stations.
Bellingham Drop Box Facility & Recycling Center
Monday – Friday, 8AM – 5PM
Closed 12PM – 1PM and major holidays.
Birch Bay Drop Box Facility & Recycling Center
Sundays, 9AM – 5PM
Closed major holidays.
Cedarville Drop Box Facility & Recycling Center
Saturdays, 9AM – 5PM
Closed major holidays.
Waste Wise Guide
Use the disposal guide to find out what you can and can’t put in your containers. Here are four common items people are often unsure about.
Waste Wise PortalPlastic containers
OK to put in recycling. Rinse and remove caps, lids, and rings (OK in recycling).
Shredded paper
OK to put in recycling. Place inside a sealed paper bag first.
Lightbulbs
Do not put in recycling. Contact LightRecycle for recycling options.
Plastic bags
Do not put in recycling. Check your local grocery store for recycling options.
Residential Recycling FAQs
Quickly find answers to commonly-asked recycling questions.
How do I prevent windblown litter from my recycling bin or container?
If possible, avoid putting recycling bins out on windy days and wait for your next pick-up. We will collect extra materials in bin or box no larger than SSC bins. If set out for collection, consider these suggestions:
Stacking bins – set singly on the ground.
Tub-style bins – nest inside each other.
Recycling Toters® and Dumpsters – Close lids securely.
Cardboard – Flatten boxes, place on ground with a bin on top.
My SSC container is damaged. Can it be repaired?
Please contact us or schedule a repair online.
Do you offer replacement containers (garbage, recycling and/or FoodPlus! Yardwaste)?
If your SSC containers were lost or stolen or you need additional containers, you may order more. Fees may apply. Please contact us to request more online.
Note: SSC supplied containers are the property of SSC. Please label them with your address. DO NOT take them with you if you move. Customers are responsible for any theft, loss, or damage in excess of normal use of SSC containers. SSC is not responsible for items left in, on, or near garbage Toters® or garbage cans.
Do you accept plastic film for recycling?
Yes, plastic film (bags, wrap, etc.) from homes and businesses is accepted at our Bellingham Drop Box Facility and Recycling Center
Waste Wise Guide
Learn what goes in the garbage, recycling, and FoodPlus! Yardwaste.
Search the Guide
Get Started
Sign up online, email us at info@ssc-inc.com, or call us at (360) 734-3490 to start your recycling service. We look forward to serving you.