Two-week countdown to recycling/trash changes

| Utilities | West Seattle news

Earlier today, we saw the label crews trailing the pickup crews again, taping notices to trash/recycling containers along Alki Avenue – a reminder there are two weeks to go till new city contracts kick in, upping rates, expanding what’s recyclable, changing yard/food waste pickup to weekly, and for many households, changing pickup days. (We’ve been Monday since we bought our house in ’93; as of 3/31 it’ll be Tuesday.) If you don’t see a note attached to your can(s), watch your mailbox – the collection day is mentioned above your address on a brochure about the changes. Here’s the latest city news release aimed at keeping the impending changes top-of-mind; again, they kick in the week of 3/30. (Note the recycling/disposal-station rates are rising too.)

Sue March 16, 2009 (7:20 pm)

Our Monday collection moved to Tuesday as well.

Forest March 16, 2009 (7:59 pm)

Hey, I’ve yet to receive that one-time $5 discount that was supposed to make up for all three weeks of no collection during the snows.

Near Alki March 16, 2009 (9:42 pm)

I own a triplex. I got my notice last week regarding the new pickup schedule for my personal house. But I’m wondering about my triplex. Is the food/yard waste collection going to be every other week still? I called Public Utilities today and I was told the new collection dates only pertained to single family homes, not multi-family. I’m not sure if I (more importantly my Tenants) want two weeks worth of meat, fish, and other food scraps sitting around outside for two weeks. Maybe it’s not a big deal and food scraps can sit for two weeks without a problem, I don’t know?

Sandra March 17, 2009 (1:00 pm)

We plan to request a smaller garbage can very soon. We already have one that’s smaller than the norm. Now there’s so much now going into the ‘clean green’ receptacle, so we can divert even more materials away from the landfill.

I hope management at the City understands that many of us are currently struggling to pay bills. It’s not fair to be increasing so many taxes, fees, and rates at this time if you ask me.

MargL March 17, 2009 (1:18 pm)

Ok – here’s some yard waste container size weirdness that I just call Customer Service to get clarified.
Currently I have a 64-gallon yard/food waste container. The current (pre-March 31st) rate allows for up to 96-gallons – so that’s my big green container plus an extra 32-gallon garbage can full of yard/food waste.
What had me confused was nowhere in their fancy fliers or information does it mention a 64-gallon food/yardwaste container. Apparently I have the option of switching to a 96-gallon can or keeping the 64-gallon can and putting out an extra 32-gallons or 4×2 foot bundle a week.
I’m just going to keep an eye on my bill to make sure I don’t get dinged for an extra “unit” of yardwaste each week.

brian March 19, 2009 (6:13 pm)

great website!

ever heard of the Big Belly? It’s the world’s only solar-powered cordless compaction system for trash and recycling. Think they’re going to make this a standard soon? http://jumpintotomorrow.com/template/index.php?tech=287&category=11