Public Litter & Recycling Cans

Our Public Place Litter & Recycling (PPLR) Cans program plays a vital role in maintaining cleanliness and reducing litter on Seattle streets. By strategically placing litter and recycling receptacles within or near neighborhood business districts, the program aims to minimize litter accumulation on our streets. We have established partnerships with WM and Recology to service over 1,150 public litter and recycling cans, with service levels ranging from 4 to 14 times a week. Nearly all public litter cans are accompanied by a recycling can in each location, promoting recycling and waste reduction efforts.

Key components of the program include inventory management, regular maintenance to ensure the functionality of the cans, routine cleaning, and timely pick-up services. Additionally, contract management ensures that appropriate service levels are consistently met. The program places high value on customer service and promptly addresses customer requests, complaints, and inquiries.

Our PPLR Cans program is essential for preserving the cleanliness of Seattle's streets and promoting sustainable waste management practices in our communities.

Where SPU places litter & recycling cans

To reduce the prevalence of litter on our streets and sidewalks, Seattle Public Utilities places public litter and recycling cans in high pedestrian-traffic areas. These areas tend to be in neighborhood business districts where there are quick serve food/drink or retail business clusters. 
 
SPU does not place public litter cans in residential neighborhoods. We recommend you explore the Adopt a Street program if you are looking for ways to reduce litter along residential streets.  

If you believe that your neighborhood could gain from the addition of a garbage or recycling can, you have the opportunity to assess your location's eligibility by reviewing our placement criteria for new cans (PDF). If you find that your neighborhood meets the requirements, we encourage you to submit a request by sending an email to spu_publiclittercans@seattle.gov. In your email, kindly provide comprehensive details about the necessity for cans and specify the precise location where they are needed. Your proactive involvement plays a pivotal role in enhancing your community's waste management efforts. 

Proper use of cans

Public litter & recycling cans are meant to reduce the instances of small, street-side litter by providing waste collection services to people actively using the right-of-way as pedestrians (including those using mobility devices), motorists, and cyclists for whom a residential or commercial can is not available. 
 
Public litter & recycling cans are not meant to be the sole collection source for businesses, households, and multi-family residences, which should have their own residential and commercial solid waste accounts already. Items consistently left next to the cans by businesses and households is an example of illegal dumping defined in Seattle Municipal Code 21.36.420 and may result in an audit and eventual removal of the can from the street. Large items can be scheduled for pick up or taken to Seattle transfer stations. 
 
The proper use of the recycling can is to collect mostly clean, dry, and empty recyclables such as paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum. All non-recyclable items such as food-soiled material and cellophane packaging should be put in the litter can. Please refer to the Where Does It Go? Tool if you aren’t sure!