RDS is a solid waste transfer station that handles residential and commercial customers’ trash and recyclables. 

We don’t pick up your garbage, but you bring your waste and recycles to our transfer station two miles north of the Bellingham Airport and about a half-mile west of I-5 Freeway, Exit 260, and then off Slater Road onto LaBounty Drive in Ferndale.

We accept almost anything except for liquids and hazardous wastes (see details on what we don’t take).

Our staff can help direct you to where you need to unload your items.

Once you leave your waste and recyclables, RDS does the rest to responsibly recycle or dispose of it. For more details, click here.

For pricing and details of what RDS accepts, see our RATES page.

If you can drive to us, you can use our services. Our primary customers come from Bellingham, Ferndale, Whatcom County, but also Blane Bay and Nooksack Valley.

NEW: In 2019, RDS opened three outbound scales to speed up processing and have optimized the location of our various unloading stations.

To help find your way around inside RDS, download the PDF map (click here).

The Steps

1. Wait for your turn to move onto the scale to be weighed.

2. Talk to our friendly staff about what you are disposing / recycling so they can check you in and direct you to the right spot (ask any questions you might have). They will give you a tracking token/ticket tied to your initial weigh-in weight.

3. Drive to the designated bins (see PDF map above).

4. Unload your trash / recyclables.

5. Check out at any of our three outbound scale (they are all interconnected) to be reweighed.

6. You can pay with cash, checks and Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit cards.

7. Head back to the LaBounty Drive and enjoy the rest of your day.

Accessibility at RDS and Compliance with ADA

RDS recognizes its commitment to our customers and our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Due to the many self-serve services at our Ferndale, Washington business site and the physical need for customers to drop off materials, not all self-serve stations are easily maneuvered by all customers. To provide the proper accommodation and services to our valued customers, RDS staff will assist customers with disposing of their materials upon request. Upon entry to our facility, please notify our scalehouse staff that you need assistance.

Scrape Out Services

For larger trucks or trailers, we do offer a $20 scrape-out service where our equipment can “scrape out” the contents of your trailer bed. This service is at your own risk.

Operations

Businesses: Would you like to set up a charge account with RDS and get billed monthly? Complete this credit application and then mail or fax back to us.