Rates Frequently Asked Questions
How much are solid waste rates increasing?
Solid waste rates will increase by 15% for residential and commercial customers on January 1, 2012. The typical residential customer bill will increase from $34.75 to $37.00.
January 1, 2012 Rate Changes
| Residences | |
|---|---|
| Garbage Can Service | 32-gallon can increases from $26.40 to $28.05 per month |
| Extra Garbage | Increases from $8.10 to $8.60 per bag |
| Apartment Dumpsters | Varies with service level: A 2 yard dumpster emptied weekly increases from $252 to $266 per month |
| Food and Yard Waste Service | 96-gallon cart increases from $8.35 to $8.95 per month. 13-gallon mini can increases from $4.35 to $4.65 per month. |
| Extra Yard Waste | Increases from $4.15 to $4.45 per 32-gal can, bundle or compostable bag |
| Other Collection Services | Bulky/Appliance Pick-up: Remains $30.00 per item Appliances with CFCs: Remains $38.00 Electronics (Computers, TVs): Remains $20 per pickup, limit 3 items per collection |
| Businesses | |
| Commercial Dumpsters | There is no rate increase for commercial services. |
| Transfer Stations | |
| Self Haul Garbage | Remains $145 per ton Flat Fee/Min Charge remains $30 |
| Self Haul Yard and Wood Waste | Remains $110 per ton Flat Fee/Min Charge remains $20 |
Why are solid waste rates increasing?
New solid waste rates support rebuilding the City’s aging transfer stations. The modernized stations will better serve present-day needs. The new transfer stations are designed to improve safety, operational efficiency, and recycling facilities. Significant decreases in solid waste tonnage due to the economic downturn have resulted in revenue shortfalls. The rate increases cover fixed costs that do not decline with tonnage. Solid waste rates continue to support garbage, yard waste and recycling service enhancements begun in 2009, including weekly food and yard waste collection, expanded recycling, and new fuel-efficient trucks.
What can residents do to avoid paying more for their solid waste services?
Seattle offers several garbage container sizes. By downsizing to a smaller container, you can save money and reduce waste going to the landfill.
Food waste makes up over 30 percent of Seattle’s garbage. Paper makes up nearly 20 percent. Recycling, composting at home, or using the food and yard waste container are good ways to reduce your garbage enough to use a smaller can size. Preventing waste by buying durable products with less packaging also helps.
You can also save money by subscribing to a smaller food/yard waste cart.
What happens to my recyclables? How does recycling benefit me?
Seattle’s recyclables are collected and delivered to the Allied Recycling Center, in the SODO District, where the materials are sorted and baled for marketing. Allied then sells the materials and ships them to recycling markets around the Northwest, the U.S. and the Pacific Rim to be used in making new products.
Although market values of the recycled commodities vary with economic conditions, the cost of collecting, processing and transporting recyclables is approximately 50 percent less per ton than the cost of shipping the material to the landfill in Arlington, Oregon where Seattle’s garbage is disposed.
Recycling and composting divert materials that would otherwise be landfilled to beneficial uses. Recycling and composting also have less environmental impact than disposal, because they help reduce energy use and global warming gas generation.
What do my solid waste rates pay for?
The City’s solid waste costs are about $150 million annually. Collection and disposal contract costs make up the majority of solid waste expenses. The remainder pays for transfer station infrastructure and operations, environmental activities, customer service, and other general costs that include solid waste planning and recycling program development.
The City of Seattle contracts to have Seattle’s garbage picked up from approximately 150,000 households, 6,000 apartments, and 8,000 businesses every week. In addition, the City owns and operates two recycling and disposal transfer stations that run seven days a week, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. North station is also closed on July 4th. Seattle also has several recycling, composting, litter and toxics reductions programs that help keep Seattle clean and green.
How rates are established
Rates are typically reviewed every two years to ensure they are sufficient to meet the Fund’s specified financial targets for net income, cash balance, and debt service coverage. Rates are proposed by the Mayor and approved by the Mayor and Council.
A typical single family household in Seattle spends about $440 each year on solid waste.
What can I do with garbage that doesn’t fit in my curbside garbage container?
- Set out "extra" garbage with your curbside collection. Each extra 32 gallon container or bag will cost $8.60. No tags are needed.
- Call SPU customer service (206-684-3000) for:
- Special garbage collection ($34.45 for the first can plus $3.70 for each additional can)
- Bulky item or white good collection ($30 per item plus an additional $8 per item if the item contains CFCs)
- Curbside electronics recycling collection ($20 per pickup of up to 3 items)
- Haul garbage to one of the City’s transfer stations (minimum fee $30/load)