SNOW AFTERMATH: West Seattle trash/recycling pickup info, including clarification for Monday customers

We can attest to Waste Management trucks being back out in West Seattle neighborhoods today – we saw that one in Upper Fauntleroy, and another on Avalon just north of Luna Park. Seattle Public Utilities said again today that their plan is to pick up on a day-delayed basis for the rest of the week, and Monday customers can put out double next Monday. So, a few Monday customers asked us, what about recycling, since that otherwise wouldn’t be picked up again until February 18th – will they send recycling trucks around next Monday? We took the question to SPU spokesperson Sabrina Register, who replied:

SPU will attempt to collect the missed recycling from Feb 4 on Monday Feb 11. However, this requires substantial extra trucks and drivers for this unscheduled recycle pickup, so we can’t guarantee we will collect it all. And then additional snow on Friday could, unfortunately, impact access on Monday.

If you weren’t around for the long-running snow event in 2008 – that one led to enough problems, there were even City Council hearings.

29 Replies to "SNOW AFTERMATH: West Seattle trash/recycling pickup info, including clarification for Monday customers"

  • Joe February 6, 2019 (1:22 pm)

    Was 2008 the year that got nickels unelected because of plowgate, spinning seattle city hall into its current poltical orbit? (I mean that in a bad way)

    • WSB February 6, 2019 (1:27 pm)

      Yes, it was. I forever regret that we could not get to the briefing downtown at which some reporter asked him to grade the city’s response to the storm and he said “B.” Months later, he was ousted in the mayoral primary, and the general-election matchup was Mike McGinn vs. Joe Mallahan.

  • mnw February 6, 2019 (1:41 pm)

    If the storm this weekend is as big as they are suggesting, I would not be surprised if us Monday SPU customers miss ANOTHER pick up. 

  • Alkiboy February 6, 2019 (2:15 pm)

    We’ll double the population in the next century,  I wouldn’t be surprised we’ll start filling up, starting alki and Elliot bay then Pacific with garbage 

  • NoMoreSpace February 6, 2019 (2:37 pm)

    Looks like recycling will be going in garbage if they don’t pick it up next Monday.  Not sure what other choice there is…

    • KBear February 6, 2019 (3:18 pm)

      You are always allowed to put out as much recycling as you want, and it can go in any container, as long as it’s separated. There’s no excuse for putting it in the garbage. That’s just laziness. 

      • ACG February 6, 2019 (3:52 pm)

        Perhaps the previous commenter is referring to the fact that their recycling bin is full and they have no other place to put it. You’re right, you can set out as much recycling as you want on pick up day- but the logistics of where to put another two weeks of recyclables while waiting for the next pick up date might be an issue for some. 

        • AMD February 6, 2019 (4:15 pm)

          You can put it in a box, bag, or other recyclable container next to the bin.  Recyclables should already be clean, so of all things, this is the one you can actually just leave sitting in a box outside and it will be fine (doubly so in this cold).  Better still, talk to your neighbors and see if they have space in their bins and don’t mind helping out.  There are lots of solutions besides throwing recyclables in the trash out of misplaced anger towards SPU for being unwilling to send their workers out in dangerous conditions simply to make your life more convenient.

          • carole February 6, 2019 (9:10 pm)

            If we put out food waste in a box near our food bin the rats and raccoons will get what the neighborhood cats don’t.  Sure we can keep our paper/plastic inside; it doesn’t stink like food waste.

      • garbage February 6, 2019 (4:27 pm)

        You are always allowed to put out as much recycling as you want, and it can go in any container, as long as it’s separated.”  I thought they would only pick it up every other week?  And actually,  in this case, possibly every 4 weeks?  Not everybody has space to store all their recycling, particularly (ironically) if they are fastidious about recycling…

      • carole February 6, 2019 (4:41 pm)

        Unless of course you don’t have another container.  Our bldg’s food waste container is already full to bursting, with nowhere to put more food scraps. Ditto our dumpster and our multiple paper/plastic recycle bins. A week long delay,  that may well stretch an additional week depending on this weekend’s weather,  is unacceptable.

        • Railroaded February 6, 2019 (7:04 pm)

          It was a very wise decision to not send the waste trucks out in that weather. I wouldn’t want to drive one of those trucks in good weather.  The alleys are dangerous as all get out in icy conditions.

      • Ron Swanson February 6, 2019 (4:55 pm)

        Just put the metal and glass in the recycling bin and throw away the plastic.  China isn’t taking our plastic recycling anymore, it’ll just end up in a landfill anyway.  Cut out the extra steps.

  • Paul February 6, 2019 (2:38 pm)

    Does anyone know if we will be able to put out extra garbage without charge due to the cancelled pick up, if we were scheduled for the Feb. 4 pick up?

    • WSB February 6, 2019 (3:16 pm)

      It says so in the SPU post I link to above.

  • Kim February 6, 2019 (4:19 pm)

    Oh, come on.  Where to put the extra recycles?  Get an extra can.  Use a box.  Use a laundry bin outfitted with a large plastic bag.  Be resourceful.  And how difficult is it to move the trash/recycle/compost bins out of the street until next Monday.  This should be a non-issue.

  • garbage February 6, 2019 (4:22 pm)

    What annoys me most about this series of events is the timing: we didn’t get notice saying they weren’t coming until 7:30 Monday morning, and then 7:10 am on Tuesday–  It’s not easy for everyone to cart out 3 full bins, and then take them back in–especially in these conditions.  And to have your customers have to do it twice is really not fun at all.  Never really been happy with SPU to begin with, and this is just a cherry on top…  sigh.

  • Beverly K February 6, 2019 (5:46 pm)

    Puhleeze people! Stop whining. This is a hardly a crisis. Lighten up.

  • NOMORESPACE February 6, 2019 (6:42 pm)

    For those that want to call me lazy for putting recycling in garbage under these circumstances, I have three comments:1) Educate yourself on the realities of where our recycling is actually going before you get overly self-righteous.  Here are some articles to help:https://www.seattletimes.com/business/some-seattle-area-recycling-dumped-in-landfills-as-chinas-restrictions-kick-in/https://www.kuow.org/stories/i-used-to-be-real-self-righteous-seattleites-confront-how-recycling-really-works2) What exactly do you want me to do with 4 weeks of recycling?  The reason my recycling is full after 2 weeks is because I ACTIVELY recycle.  I will give it to next week, but if they don’t pick it up I’m putting it in the trash.  I’m not leaving trash bags exposed on the exterior of my house, don’t want it in my house, and not about to put out cardboard boxes in a place where it rains, A LOT.  I’m also not going to go out and buy an extra trash can specifically for this purpose, not sure that really helps with my carbon footprint.3) Who said anything about wanting people to risk their lives to pickup garbage?  I fully endorse not having Monday pickup, and think that Tuesday was probably wise because of the freezing conditions and lack of plowing on the side streets.  My issue is saying that a 2 week pickup cycle can go to 4 weeks and just assuming we can figure it out.  I have, I will put what I can no longer fit in my recycle bin in my garbage if it goes past next Monday.Go ahead, blast me.  I’m really concerned about your feelings of moral superiority.

    • KBear February 6, 2019 (9:20 pm)

      You can put your extra recycling out in a cardboard box. Yeah. If you’re putting it in your garbage container, YOU ARE LAZY. 

  • Lola February 6, 2019 (8:41 pm)

    We have just left ours on the curb, not going to drag the bins full back up the hill.  I figure if they by chance come by they might pick it up.

  • Mj February 6, 2019 (10:34 pm)

    What I do not understand is why SPU simply does not credit everyone’s account that did not get their stuff picked up.  Other service providers provide credit when they fail for whatever reason to provide service.  SCL does not charge you when your lights go out!

    • AMD February 7, 2019 (12:01 am)

      Because they’re picking up double when they do come by, they haven’t actually missed anything to credit you for.  It’s just a late pickup.  Which is on top of your regular pickup.  

  • AS February 7, 2019 (12:27 pm)

    I’m not sure that I understand why those of us who are on the Monday pick up have to wait an additional week when everyone else is just moved out a day?  And to your point this could be further impacted by the weekend snow…

  • Mj February 7, 2019 (2:38 pm)

    AS per contract WM has 48 hours to pick up after a missed pick up, aka two days.  Slipping everones pick up by two days would have been a better option and keep them within the 2 day window!  Not doing this I believe that customers need to be provided a refund.MJ

  • NOMORESPACE February 7, 2019 (6:48 pm)

    And you are smug.  You also don’t read as I already spoke to the notion of using cardboard boxes.  Not sure name calling really advancing the discussion, BTW.  Please though, feel free to reply back in all CAPS…

    • KBear February 7, 2019 (9:30 pm)

      Well, I can’t spell “NOMORESPACE” without using ALL CAPS, can I? You know that you’re required by law to separate your recycling, don’t you? If you truly find this burdensome, perhaps you could try leading a less wasteful lifestyle. 

  • Mary February 7, 2019 (7:34 pm)

    I’d echo the “see if your neighbors have room for your extra recycling” suggestion, assuming that your recycling is clean and actually made up entirely of recyclables. We don’t fill our bin and have room to store extra; I’d be happy to help others keep their recycling out of the trash and I’m sure I’m not alone in that.  -Mary ps. The same goes for garbage/yard waste; that bin is mostly empty and can easily withstand another week of waiting for pickup as long as it stays this cold. -m.

  • Mary February 7, 2019 (7:36 pm)

    PS. Thanks to  the WSB for providing this info! I googled “seattle public utilities pickup” and this article was in the top three. I hadn’t realized that the city had come out with an official statement and was just wondering if my Monday trash was ever going to be collected. I *truly* appreciate your attention to *all* the stories, large and small!

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