Tukwila garbage pickup changes Nov. 2

On Nov. 2, a Friday, garbage collection is going to change in Tukwila.

From then on, all residential garbage will be collected on Fridays, rather than spread throughout the week, under the city’s new contract with Waste Management.

Recycling collection also begins on Friday, Nov. 2. On Nov. 9 yard waste/compostible collection begins and from then will alternate with recyclables. Residential recycling is included in the base rate; there is a monthly charge for a yard-waste cart. Residents must sign up for those services.

The base rate for residential residents will decline from what is charged by the current hauler, Allied Waste. For example, a 35-gallon garbage cart is typical for an average household. Waste Management’s base rate is $10.92  a month, down 23 percent from Allied’s rate.

For all customers, there are fees and taxes on top of the base rate.

Waste Management’s seven-year contract begins on Nov. 1. The City Council approved the new contract after proposals were submitted by Waste Management, Allied Waste and CleanScapes.

“It’s a really good contract,” said Frank Iriarte, Tukwia’s deputy public works director. “That’s what you get when you compete for these services.”

The rates could change yearly,  based on an increase in the Consumer Price Index.

The City of Tukwila and Waste Management are in the midst of an extensive outreach program to explain the new services to residents, businesses and apartment complexes.

Business and apartment customers have their own set of options and decisions, which are explained as part of the outreach effort.

Current residential customers will need to make decisions about such things as the size of their garbage carts. Residential customers would get three carts, one for garbage (green), one for recycling (blue) and one for yard waste/compostibles (grey).

There was a discussion about using a green cart for yard waste. But to avoid confusion, Iriarte said the city opted to stick with the current color scheme of green for garbage.

 

Contact Tukwila Reporter Editor Dean Radford at dradford@tukwilareporter.com or 425-255-3484 ext. 5050.

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