Food & Yard Waste - Apartment/Condo Owners
By law, Seattle apartment and condominium properties of five or more units must provide a food waste collection cart for residents to use.
To subscribe, adjust the cart size, or report missed service or a missing liner for the cart, call (206) 684-7665.
Food and Yard Waste Service Options
- Cart sizes and costs.
- Curb/Alley weekly service - Carts must be set out at the curb or alley by 7:00 a.m. and retrieved after collection. Most economical option.
- On-site service - Collectors access and empty the carts wherever they are located. Most convenient option. Weekly additional collection available for added cost.
- Contact private waste hauling companies to compare services and pricing.
Friend of Recycling and Composting (FORC) $100 Credit
To receive a one-time $100 credit on your utility bill, sign up a person (manager, facilities staff, or resident) who is on the property at least once a week to be a Friend of Recycling and Composting (pdf).
FORC Sign Up
- Sign up online
- Call (206) 684-7665 to sign up with an SPU customer service representative.
- Leave a message at (206) 684-8717, press #2 to request a paper information packet.
- Cover letter for managers (pdf).
- Sample pledge for FORCs (pdf).
Free Kitchen Food Waste Buckets for All Units at Your Property!
After you have signed up a FORC, the FORC can register to attend an optional training and qualify the property for kitchen buckets for all units. Space is limited! The 2013 trainings include: May 21, evening, southeast Seattle; or June 21, midday, northwest Seattle. To register, contact Melissa Martin at melissa.martin@seattle.gov or (206) 684-5223.
Resources for Success at Your Property
- Educate your residents with Free Flyers, Posters, and Videos. Available in many languages.
- Five Steps to Success with your Food and Yard Waste Cart (pdf).
- Request free site assistance or resident training. Available on a limited basis. Leave a message at 206-684-8717, press #2.
Backyard Composting on Your Property
Some properties may also wish to make compost at home. Composting on your property can save money and benefit the environment. However, no dairy or meat products should go in a home pile due to potential odor or pest problems. They are accepted in the curbside collection cart. Food waste such as soiled pizza boxes, napkins, and paper towels should also go into the cart.
Related links
Food & Yard Waste for Residents of Apartments & Condos
Reduce, Reuse, Exchange - Keep useful items out of the waste stream
Can I recycle this item? Look It Up!
Play the Where Does It Go? Recycling Game
Cedar Grove Composting - Local processor of food and yard compost materials