West Seattle snow aftermath: Trash (etc.) service update

(WSB’er photo from during Snowmare ’08 – sorry we don’t still have the name for the credit!)
Just in from Seattle Public Utilities, with trash piling up around the city:

Special Saturday and Sunday pickup is being scheduled, conditions permitting, for the city’s residential garbage, recycling, food and yard waste customers, Seattle Public Utilities said today.

Due to continued inclement conditions, today’s customers (Friday, Dec. 26) are scheduled to be collected tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 27) and Thursday customers (Dec. 25) will be collected on Sunday, Dec. 28.

Thursday and Friday customers are advised to leave their garbage at the curb through Sunday. Collection contractors will inspect neighborhood routes throughout the weekend for service opportunities. Customers scheduled for Monday through Wednesday pickup should set out their materials on their normal appointed days, next week. There will be no additional charge for setting out extra garbage.

Despite inclement conditions, the city’s collections contractors have been running limited commercial routes around the clock this week, providing service to urgent commercial accounts where containers are accessible. Contractors are running 40 commercial trucks today to serve locations on major arterials and utilizing extra staff to access snow blocked containers. Approximately 40 percent of Seattle’s business accounts have been collected this week.

“We are eager to resume residential services as soon as possible, but safety with our large trucks is our first priority,” said Hans Van Dusen, Solid Waste Contracts Manager for Seattle Public Utilities. “Warmer weather is forecast for this weekend and next week, and we expect that will make it safer to send big trucks back into Seattle’s neighborhoods.”

Customers whose collections have been delayed by a week can set out double their normal amount of garbage at no additional charge. When setting out extra waste, customers are encouraged to place perishable food items in their collection containers and set bagged non-perishable items next to the containers.

Customers who have had their collections missed can also take their waste to Seattle’s Recycling and Disposal stations, where it will be accepted at no charge. Seattle’s Recycling and Disposal stations will be closed on New Year’s Day, January 1.

We’re still doublechecking on whether this means that, if you were missed last time, you set out trash AND recycling AND yard waste – stand by. 10:21 AM UPDATE: Glad we asked. Andy Ryan at SPU says they’re FOCUSING ON RECYCLING AND TRASH – SO JUST PUT THOSE TWO OUT. And remember, SPU told us they’ll be “liberal” in allotment for extra pickup because of missed service, so don’t get panicky about just putting out “exactly” two bags or whatever. 2:37 PM UPDATE: Answering a question posed by WSB’ers, Brett Stav from SPU says the “no charge” time period at the transfer station will extend THROUGH NEXT WEEK – but bring proof you are a Seattle customer, preferably your bill.

35 Replies to "West Seattle snow aftermath: Trash (etc.) service update"

  • GenHillOne December 26, 2008 (10:40 am)

    I was just out doing some “tidying” and can already tell that some of my neighbors got some expensive electronics from Santa. It’s hard to do when we’re all overflowing, but maybe consider folding boxes inside out if you just can’t get them into the container. If I can see them, so can the bad guys who might actually be looking :(

  • arbor heights mom December 26, 2008 (11:17 am)

    I am not typically a ranter, but I’m severely dismayed in Seattle’s performance with basics like trash collection during a storm. Additionally, there appears to be very little forethought to how they will actually collect 3 weeks worth of garbage in a single day. Will the trash collection be going on until midnight? It’s ridiculous. I have to believe if the city had at least pushed down on their vendors we would have had more trash collected, especially as the main arterials have been plowed. It makes Seattle look and feel like a backwater to have so much trash around.

  • N Seattle Resident December 26, 2008 (11:30 am)

    For one, the garbage trucks are not good in any kind of slippery weather.

    If you would have even bothered to drive out yourself, you would have realized that the snow plowing has made getting around even more difficult by allowing compact snow to turn into ice and compact slush that made it near impossible to get up some hills even with chains.

    If you thought the busses performed horribly, imagine garbage trucks having to stop every 20 feet and getting stuck every time.

  • worms Roxanne, I'm afraid of worms. December 26, 2008 (11:33 am)

    Seattle should be renamed NancyTown. No offense to anybody named Nancy.

  • add December 26, 2008 (12:04 pm)

    LOL, worms!

    Monday will be 3 weeks since garbage pick-up for us – our back alley still looks pretty bad so we’ll see what happens I guess.

  • JoB December 26, 2008 (12:04 pm)

    if your trash is normally picked up in an alley.. should you leave it in the alley?

  • kathy December 26, 2008 (12:05 pm)

    I’m still waiting for several UPS deliveries that were due to be delivered by Dec 19th and 22nd. I saw a number of UPS trucks prior to Christmas, but they never made it to 42nd Ave. The tracking says, “circumstances beyond our control”. I hope they’ll try again. Got a USPS delivery on Christmas Day!!!

  • Brian December 26, 2008 (12:15 pm)

    I arrived at the South Park transfer station before they opened this morning expecting a rush. No one there. First one in at 8am. Told them I’ve had no garbage pickup for several weeks and they let me dump a minivan-full of trash for free. Saved me $25.

    Hours are 8-5 every day. Closed New Years Day.

  • Question December 26, 2008 (12:23 pm)

    So do we all get credits on our next trash bill for having missed 3 weeks of pick-ups ??

  • add December 26, 2008 (12:33 pm)

    Brian or anyone – know how long the free pass at the Transfer Station will be available? If no pick up for us on Monday, we will have to journey over there.

  • Sue December 26, 2008 (1:02 pm)

    If they’re doing “special” pickups on the weekend, why on earth aren’t they coming to pick up the Monday people who’ve missed 2 weeks in a row, rather than people who just missed yesterday for Christmas? Shouldn’t they be going at this point by priority, rather than what day your garbage should’ve been picked up?

  • Lucy December 26, 2008 (1:07 pm)

    Does anyone know if they are plowing any streets in West Seattle? I haven’t been to Holden since Wednesday pm but will soon. Cannot believe they have not plowed Holden between 35th and California.

  • JH December 26, 2008 (1:41 pm)

    Who’s Nancy?????

  • dc December 26, 2008 (1:52 pm)

    If you go to the transfer station, be sure to mention that you haven’t had a pick up in two weeks. We went today and the guy gave us a special slip so we weren’t charged. Very easy…highly recommend it.

  • Fred-E December 26, 2008 (1:53 pm)

    I went to the S. Park transfer station as well this morning around 10:00. I was really surprised to see that it was completely deserted. I don’t think they have a firm date when they’ll stop being free for missed pickups, but you can probably call before you head down there just to make sure.

    kathy – I’m in the same boat with you. Waiting on UPS and Fedex… I tried to go and pick up a package at the Fedex sorting facility on Wednesday, but there was a line of people coming out of the lobby and down the sidewalk. Crazy.

  • WSB December 26, 2008 (1:56 pm)

    Having communicated with the media folks at Seattle Public Utilities multiple times during Snowmare ’08, I can tell you that – until you have actually had your trash picked up, don’t even worry about getting hassled by taking something to the transfer station. I believe the entire city is on freebie status at this point.

  • Andrea December 26, 2008 (2:05 pm)

    I just took a drive up california to take my son to his friends house and noticed something interesting.

    All the little yellow bumpy things that line the lanes are mixed in with the plowed snow. It was like sprinkles on ice cream.

  • DM December 26, 2008 (2:05 pm)

    I’m also a little confused as to whether we should put garbage out at the curb if we normally place it in the alley. I just checked the SPU site but I didn’t see a clarification.

  • WSB December 26, 2008 (2:37 pm)

    Put your trash out where it’s normally picked up. Otherwise they have no way to track it and may not even see it. Also, I just got an answer from SPU on the question about free pass at the transfer station. THROUGH NEXT WEEK, says Brett Stav (one of the SPU guys who came up here to interview with us last week) – but he also says, please bring a bill (or if you can’t find a bill, something else) to prove that you are a Seattle customer, so they don’t just have everybody and his dog from all over Western Washington showing up for freebies. I will add this to the story above too – TR

  • snowpocalypse December 26, 2008 (2:49 pm)

    The Racoons and rats are going to have a field day with all the trash out in the streets.

  • Gina December 26, 2008 (2:52 pm)

    Saw UPS truck at 45th and Lander.

  • Laura December 26, 2008 (3:03 pm)

    I live on California and usually park on a side street because the parking in front of my apartment in 2 hour only. I can’t safely access the side street parking in my car now, do you think they are flexing on the 2 hours too or has anyone seen anyone out ticketing?

  • Tony Ercolano December 26, 2008 (3:27 pm)

    2:30pm Friday afternoon the 26th.

    Just went to the Cloverdale transfer station with my nearly 3 weeks worth of trash. No line whatsoever. From my house to the transfer station and back in under a half hour. No charge to dump as advertised.

  • MargL December 26, 2008 (3:35 pm)

    Laura today is free parking per an article in the Times.

  • Todd December 26, 2008 (3:58 pm)

    So, we know when our trash will be picked up… Does anyone know if we can put out clean green and recycling if our pick up is Monday for those like us who have missed pick ups for 2 weeks?

  • WSB December 26, 2008 (4:30 pm)

    As written in the story above: They’re focusing on trash/recycling first. You can put out your yard waste too if you want – but no guarantee they’re going to get that on the first pass. This per two SPU spokespeople with whom I checked today.

  • Les December 26, 2008 (4:41 pm)

    Lighten up people, this isn’t the end of the word – good grief – – the whining is truly amazing when a whole lot of folks don’t half enough to eat or roof or whatever. . . . . . What happened to Holiday cheer and thankfulness. . . .

  • Snow Comments December 26, 2008 (10:28 pm)

    1) Trash collection: this is crazy that we can’t pick up trash for three weeks. We were downtown tody and couldn’t believe the “overflow’ in the alley garbage cans. Are we in New York City?
    2) Re: UPS deliveries – UPS has delivered to my house three or four times but, the ONE thing I needed for a Christmas gift has not arrived even though they have “tried to deliver” since the 19th due to “Emergency Weather Conditions”. Why can some deliveries make it but others cannot? Our city needs to get it together during snow times! Yes, we do have hills, but – use SALT and deal with it!

  • R26 December 26, 2008 (11:14 pm)

    We are at 3 weeks without pickup. I hate to complain – it was icy – but this is CRAZY.

  • big gulps,eh? well, see ya later. December 27, 2008 (8:50 am)

    let’s see, Seattle spent 5 MILLION on self cleaning toilets they eventually sold on e-bay for 30K. How many sanding/plow trucks would that have paid for? What was the loss of private and taxable revenue from everyone calling in SnowFlaked all last week?

    I know we have hills and alley pick up here, but maybe we should look at getting some of the “magical” garbage trucks they have in Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Duluth,
    St. Paul…

    How about SPU building solid plans for all these “rare” weather events that happen every year?

  • Sue December 27, 2008 (10:19 am)

    I just saw a recycling truck come east on Dawson and turn north on Fauntleroy (10:15am on Saturday). I ran out to see if they’d picked up in our alley off Dawson, but they did not. (We’re one of the twice-missed Monday folk.) So I don’t know where they’re headed and what they picked up, but I did put my garbage out just in case they’re in the area.

  • datamuse December 27, 2008 (1:36 pm)

    Well, Snow Comments, since garbage strikes are kind of a fifth season in New York, I’m hoping it won’t get quite THAT bad! :)

  • Meghan December 28, 2008 (1:37 pm)

    Well, we’re on a Friday pick-up schedule. It’s Sunday and our garbage has not been collected yet. We live in the Delridge area near Bubbles… has anyone had their garbage picked up in this area??

    Thanks!

  • Andy December 28, 2008 (2:30 pm)

    Ditto here in Admiral. Nothing of the promised Saturday service, and I’m concerned the raccoons will get our exposed bags if it’s out another night…

  • WSB December 28, 2008 (2:34 pm)

    I have that question out to SPU media – whether there is any hope still and whether “leave it out through Sunday means till 5 pm today, 9 pm tonight, or … ? I’m also asking whether Monday is looking likely for those of us who haven’t had pickup in three weeks now (since Monday 12/15 was also skipped in West Seattle after the first round of Snowmare ’08 hit us all harder than the rest of the city) … will post answers when we get ’em … TR

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