The City of Mountlake Terrace and Waste Management have signed a new 10-year contract for the collection of garbage, recyclables and yard waste/food waste. Waste Management has provided these services in Mountlake Terrace for more than three decades.
A rate increase totaling 22 percent will be split over the next two years (15% in 2023 and 7% in 2024) to ease the transition for customers. Waste Management cited rising costs for labor, materials and fuel, as well as a significant increase in the cost of processing mixed recyclables – due to much lowered allowable levels of contaminants that have been imposed in the recyclable materials markets.
Garbage collection will remain on a weekly schedule, while recyclables and yard waste/compost will be collected every other week. The company encourages residents to use the My WM app to access their account information.
Additionally, customers will receive five coupons to use for extra garbage bags throughout the year.
As part of the contract, Waste Management agrees to operate new trucks using natural gas recovered from its landfills, to reduce emissions.
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