Solid Waste FAQs 2023

Sammamish’s solid waste collection contract, like those in other cities throughout King County, allows for annual garbage rate adjustments due to changes in inflation and King County garbage disposal costs. King County’s garbage disposal costs increased by 9.6% in 2024 with their Rate Restructure and Fixed Annual Charge implementation. Learn more about the Rate Restructure and the Fixed Annual Charge at the following link: https://kingcounty.gov/FAC

The City recently extended their contract with Republic Services for an additional three years, which includes an initial rate increase of 15%, but a set annual inflation adjustment of 5%. In addition, the Klahanie neighborhood will shift from being regulated under the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission to being included in the City’s regular contract.

By extending the current solid waste collection contract with a set annual inflation adjustment, Sammamish is avoiding the potential significant rate increase that other cities have experienced during recent competitive procurement processes. Securing new solid waste collection contracts is currently challenging due to uncertainties about whether long-term collection costs might surpass the agreed inflation adjustments in contracts. This is further complicated by instability in recycling markets, a decrease in the value of recyclable materials, uncertainties about future inflation, and supply chain disruptions.

Customers and businesses in the Klahanie neighborhood will shift from being regulated under the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission to being included in the City’s regular contract, so they will pay the same rates and have the same services as the other City customers and businesses.

• Weekly compostable services are embedded in the single-family residential garbage rates. Composting yard waste and food scraps can help fight against climate change and meet the City’s sustainability goals.
• All single-family homes in Klahanie will be provided with Republic Services garbage, recycling, and compost carts, if they don’t already have them. Carts will be delivered early December 2023 and are provided at no charge. Carts have wheels for easy movement, attached lids, and can be replaced if lost, damaged, or stolen. Klahanie customers may keep their personal cans for extra material or storage.
• Customers and businesses who experience missed curbside collection will now have their containers serviced on the next business day rather than waiting an entire week until their next regularly scheduled service day.
• If garbage collection is missed for two or more weeks due to inclement weather, customers may bring their garbage to a drop-off point in the City at no additional cost and receive a credit on their bill.

No. Your Republic Services bill will have the same account number and remain on the same billing cycle. You will continue to be able to access your account and pay your bill at the following link: www.republicservices.com/account/login

The best way to lower your garbage bill is to recycle and compost more, then downsize your garbage cart to the next lower cart size. Your bill is determined by the garbage cart size and the service level you subscribe to. Recycle and compost collection services are embedded in regular garbage service and offered at no additional cost. Learn more about what can go in the recycling and compost carts at the following link: https://www.republicservices.com/cms/documents/municipality/Washington/SAMMAMISH/Sammamish-2021-Resi-Guide.pdf.

No, your garbage, recycling, and compost service will continue to be collected on the same day of the week. For example, if you have garbage picked up on Wednesday, it will continue to be picked up on Wednesday. You will still place your carts at the curb at the same time and place you have been.

If you are a customer in Klahanie and currently use a personal 32-gallon can for garbage service, Republic will provide you with a wheeled 35-gallon cart for garbage in the first week of December 2023. You may save your personal garbage can for extra waste in case of inclement weather or for general storage. 

If you live in Klahanie and do not currently subscribe to compost service or if you use a personal 32-gallon can for food and yard waste collection service, Republic will provide you with a wheeled 96-gallon cart for compostables in December 2023 at no charge.

For garbage and compost cart size changes customers can make these requests by contacting Republic Services at 206-777-6441 or using the following link: https://www.republicservices.com/municipality/sammamish-wa

Food and yard waste collection service is embedded in the price for your regular garbage service, so there is no additional cost for this service. You can help fight climate change by placing all your yard waste and food scraps in the compost cart instead of the garbage. By reducing the amount of waste bound for the landfill, you significantly reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas.

Klahanie customers will continue to be able to recycle the same materials as before, plus milk cartons! Just remember that recycling must be empty, clean, and dry. Refer to your annual service mailer for details and restrictions, including a list of accepted recyclable materials.

As of January 1, 2024, Klahanie customers have access to free expanded curbside recycling that other Sammamish customers benefit from. Contact Republic Services at 206-777-6441 to schedule a free collection of the following:

• Batteries
• Small appliances
• Scrap metal
• Household items
• Fluorescent tubes and bulbs
• Rigid plastics.

As part of the recent contract extension, the City is allowing Republic Services to continue to use the same collection trucks through the end of the contract, even if they are over ten years old. However, the trucks must still meet all the industry’s public health and safety standards outlined in the City contract’s maintenance and safety requirements. These trucks will continue to run on zero-emissions renewable natural gas, aligning with the City’s emissions reduction goals.

Customers and business owners should call Republic Services at 206-777-6441 for service changes, missed collection, bill payments, and other regular service questions. If you have an issue that you cannot resolve with Republic Services, then please call the City at 206-635-5254.

Beginning January 1, 2024, Klahanie customers and businesses will no longer need to contact the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission with service questions or issues. Contact Republic Services or the City of Sammamish with questions or issues.