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Rates
Solid Waste Rates FAQ
Are solid waste rates increasing?
Solid waste rates will increase by 6.7% for all customer classes except for self haul garbage customers. The new rates will take effect January 1, 2008.
2008 Rate Changes (Effective January 1, 2008)
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Residents
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Garbage can Service
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32 gal can increases from $16.55 to $17.65 per month
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Extra Garbage
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Increases from $5.60 to $6.00 per bag, box, bundle or private can.
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Apartment Dumpsters
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6.7% increase
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Yard Waste Service
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Increases from $5.00 to $5.35 per month
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Extra Yard Waste
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Increases from $1.50 to $1.60 per bundle
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Businesses
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Commercial Dumpster and Drop Box
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6.7% increase
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Transfer Stations
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Self Haul Garbage
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Increases from $110.00 to $130.00 per ton
Flat Fee/Min Charge increases from $20 to $25
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Self Haul Yard Waste
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Increases from $80.00 to $85.00 per ton
Flat Fee/Min Charge increases from $13 to $15
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Self Haul Woodwaste
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Increases from $55.00 to $59.00 per ton
Flat Fee/Min Charge increases from $13 to $15
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Why is this rate increase necessary?
This rate increase is necessary to:
- • Ensure that the Solid Waste Fund meets it financial policy targets for net income and cash balances.
- • Fund capital improvements at our transfer stations in order to provide solid waste services at lower long-term cost and with fewer impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods, traffic, and the environment.
- • Design and implement a Waste Reduction and Recycling program outlined by City Council Resolution 30990.
- • Improve recycling services in parks and at the transfer stations.
When was the last time the residential solid waste bill increased?
The bill for a typical single family customer (one-can garbage service and yard waste collection) increased 4.4% in 2007, and in 2005 to accommodate an increase in the City tax rate. Prior to the 2005 rate increase, the typical single family customer’s bill was last increased in 1994.
Under the new rates, how would Seattle’s solid waste bill compare with other cities?
For the typical residential customer (32 gal can, yard waste and recycling), a Seattle solid waste bill is lower than Spokane, Portland and Tacoma but higher than Bellevue.
Typical Single Family Residential Bill Comparison (32 Gallon Garbage, YW and Recycling)
Bellevue
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Portland
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Seattle
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Spokane
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Tacoma
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$16.33
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$29.45
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$23.00
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$28.07
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$30.05
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Bills for other cities are as of 6/2007
Is there any charge for recycling collection?
There is no charge for curbside recycling services. The cost for the curbside recycling service is included in the garbage rate. Customers may also bring source separate recyclables to the Recycling and Disposal stations free of charge.
Are self-haul garbage rates increasing?
Yes. The per ton self-haul garbage rate is increasing from $110.00 to $130.00 per ton. The flat rate, and minimum charge, for garage brought to a Recycling and Disposal Station will increase from $20.00 to $25.00. Vehicles that pay the flat rate include sedans, station wagons, and sport utility vehicles (all without trailers). Vehicles that pay the per-ton rate include trucks, pick-up trucks, vans, minivans, vehicles with trailers, travel-alls, motor homes, and modified buses, aid cars and commercial vehicles.
Why do you weigh some vehicles and not others? And how do you decide which to weigh?
Ideally, all vehicles would be weighed and charged based on weight, but weighing all vehicles when they enter and when they leave creates back ups and increases costs. Based on survey work, we’ve identified the vehicle types that typically carry small loads and charge them the flat rate, which is equal to the minimum per ton charge. The typical small load vehicles are sedans, station wagons and SUVs.
Are there any alternatives to the self-haul services at the Recycling and Disposal Stations?
- • Set out "extra" garbage with your curbside collection. Each extra bag will cost $6.00. No tags are needed.
- • Call SPU customer service for special garbage pick-ups ($26.00 for the first container plus $2.65 for each additional container)
- • Call SPU customer service for bulky item or white good collection ($25 per item plus an additional $6 per item if the item contains CFCs)
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