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Tenant Education
Questions & Answers About New Recycling Rules
The following are commonly asked questions and answers about Seattle’s new recycling rules and how they affect apartment and condominium residents and owners.
Why did the City of Seattle propose to ban recyclable items from garbage?
The ban was proposed to help reach the City’s goal of recycling 60% of all garbage, which was adopted in 1989 based on a voluntary approach.
The City's recycling level peaked at 44% in 1995 when the markets for paper
recycling, in particular, were very strong. The City has had a continuous decline
in its recycling rate since then particularly in the commercial sector. The City's last "officially" recorded recycling rate was 40% in 2002.
Factors that supported a restriction on recyclables in the garbage included:
• The residential sector has had free, curbside recycling of an increasing number of items since 1989.
• Residents have been prohibited from putting yard waste in the garbage
since 1989 (this prohibition was never officially extended to businesses except at the transfer stations).
What is the schedule for the ban on disposing of recyclable material in the garbage?
- • Education in 2004: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) will begin an educational outreach program to inform the public about the new recycling requirements throughout 2004.
- • Tagging in 2005: Contractors and City inspectors will place educational notice tags on garbage containers and dumpsters with significant amounts of recyclable materials throughout 2005.
- • Enforcement in 2006: Enforcement with consequences begins January 1, 2006.
What is considered “significant amounts” of recyclables?
“Significant amounts of recyclables” in the garbage for residential cans, dumpsters and lock boxes means that any of the following, alone or in combination, make up more than 10% by volume of the contents of a container, as determined by visual inspection by an SPU inspector or contractor:
- • recyclable paper
- • recyclable cardboard
- • glass or plastic bottles and jars
- • aluminum or tin cans
- • yard waste
Food-soiled or otherwise contaminated paper and cardboard are not considered “recyclable” for purposes of this rule.
Starting in 2006, what will happen if significant amounts of recyclables are found in a garbage container?
The City’s contractors will leave garbage containing significant amounts of recyclables uncollected with a notice about the need to remove recyclables before collection. Your uncollected garbage will be collected the next week on the your regular garbage collection day along with that week’s garbage. Follow the instructions on the tag in order to avoid an extra garbage charge.
Starting in 2006, what will happen if significant amounts of recyclables are found in an apartment’s garbage dumpster?
The garbage will be collected and a warning notice will be mailed to the garbage account customer. If garbage containing significant amounts of recyclables is collected more than twice and two warning notices have been mailed, a charge of $50 will be added to the combined utility bill of the garbage account holder.
How can I keep the public from putting recyclables in my garbage?
The City of Seattle suggests keeping garbage in secured areas and not putting container(s) out for collection until that morning. If that is not possible, locks can be placed on the dumpsters with only tenants having access.
We share a garbage container with the building next door – how can we keep these careless neighbors from putting recyclables in this shared container?
Contact SPU Customer Service at (206) 684-7665. They can send out educational material to the owner or manager of the neighboring building. If this shared container is tagged in 2005 as having “significant amounts of recyclables”, please contact us again to schedule a site visit by our inspection staff.
Will the City provide locks for our garbage dumpsters?
Yes, the City will provide locks for your dumpster at no charge to you. Please call SPU Solid Waste Customer Service at (206) 684-7665 for more information.
As an apartment owner, can I add a recycling clause into my lease?
Yes, you can incorporate a recycling provision into your lease that will best serve the needs of your building. Suggested language: “Tenant agrees to separate clean paper, cardboard, cans and bottles from garbage and place them in the recycling container.”
Who will enforce this new regulation?
The City’s collection contractors will perform enforcement for the curb/alley garbage. Random inspections of apartment garbage will be done by Seattle Public Utilities inspection staff.
What if I don’t have room at my building for recycling?
Multifamily structures that do not have adequate space for recyclable materials may be exempt from all or portions of this ordinance if so determined by the Director of Seattle Public Utilities. The Director may also evaluate other recycling options, such as sharing containers with a nearby building. If you are a building owner or manager and are concerned about lacking adequate space to recycle, SPU Solid Waste Customer Service at (206) 684-7665 to schedule a site visit by an inspector starting in January, 2005.
What if I need a different-sized container?
Increased recycling can result in a need for a second or larger sized recycling container and/or a smaller sized garbage container. Please call SPU Solid Waste Customer Service at (206) 684-7665 for more information on ordering new containers.
What if I need more recycling collections (than I currently have)?
Call SPU Solid Waste Customer Service at (206) 684-7665 to request additional recycling collections. They will assign an inspector to help determine an appropriate collection schedule.
Can my tenants still put their garbage in plastic bags?
Yes, you can put garbage in plastic bags. They are not one of the recyclable items banned from the garbage.
I have four buildings. If I get someone to be a Friend of Recycling at each building can I get $400 deducted from my garbage bill?
Yes, with a volunteer Friend of Recycling at each building of five units or more you would qualify for $100 per building credited to your combined utility bill.
Related links
Volunteer to Increase Recycling
Ban on Recyclables in Garbage
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