The Rabanco Company & City of Seattle Partnership

New Recycling Guidelines start in January 2005

A new City of Seattle ordinance requires all businesses to recycle paper, cardboard and yard debris. The ordinance is designed to increase Seattle's recycling rate, conserve resources and lower the cost of doing business.

Starting January 1, 2005 commercial customers whose garbage contains more than 10% paper, cardboard, or yard debris will receive notices from Seattle Public Utilities reminding them about the recycling requirements.

Beginning January 1, 2006 businesses whose garbage contains more than 10% recyclables may be fined by Seattle Public Utilities.

Let Rabanco assist you in setting up the most efficient recycling program for your business. To setup an appointment call us at 206-332-7777.

The City of Seattle contracts with two service providers for the collection of garbage.

If your business is located North of Royal Brougham Way/Jackson Street:

Rabanco's Emerald City Disposal and Recycling is your service provider. Please call 206-332-7777 for assistance.

If your business is located South of Royal Brougham Way/Jackson Steet: Please call 206-762-3000 for assistance.

The City of Seattle Commercial Contracts extend through March 31, 2008. The City has the option of extending the contracts for two additional one-year terms to either March 31, 2009 or March 31, 2010.

Will the City's contracts affect the way I am billed? You will receive your service bill from your area provider. Payment is due within 30 days of the billing date. One percent interest per month is applied to unpaid bills.

When does service stop for an outstanding bill? There are several steps which lead up to this, but service is suspended sixty-five (65) days from the date of the original invoice. If no payment has been received at ninety (90) days from the date of the original invoice, the account is closed and the balance, including accrued interest (1% per month on the unpaid balance), is forwarded to the City for collection.

How does the rate get set for out-of-area service?
Both area and out-of-area service rates have been approved by ordinance of the Seattle City Council. Can and dumpster rates for out-of-area service will be 20 percent higher and rates for roll-offs will be 15 percent higher than area rates to cover the cost of providing out-of-area service.

Why are the commercial and residential contracts different and why do they have different rates? The City has held contracts with the garbage collection companies to serve the residential population for many years. As a result, the City has been able to keep residential rates low, and has not had a rate increase since 1994.

Until now, commercial garbage collection has not been regulated by the City. With the new commercial collection contracts, the City has been able to provide more efficient collection routes and lower rates.

How will the garbage contract affect my recycling pick up?
This contract affects only garbage collection. If you currently receive recycling pick-up, you will continue to receive service from your current recycling provider.

Businesses who generate 96 gallons of garbage or less per week are eligible to participate in the residential curbside recycling program, which is free. To sign up for this service, please call (206) 684-7665.

Why did my garbage hauler collect the recycling container?
If a business has a contaminated recycle container, it becomes garbage. The recycler hauler may request that the contaminated recycle container be picked up and hauled as garbage by your garbage hauler. It is then billed as a special service under the City's rates to the customer.

Please note: An alternative that may occur is for the recycler hauler to collect the contaminated container as recycling, take it to their processing facility and sort out the garbage.

I don't want garbage collection from either company. Can I self-haul my garbage?
Commercial garbage collection is not mandatory. You may self-haul your garbage.

My garbage collection has been cut off. I want to switch to the other provider.
If your collection has been cut off due to non-payment, the account must be paid in full before you can switch to the other provider. If the garbage needs to be disposed of before then, you may self-haul it to the transfer station.

OPERATIONS ISSUES - COMPLAINTS

The commercial garbage collection trucks near my business generate too much noise.
Contact the garbage collection company. Their name and phone number is listed on the side of the truck. If the problem continues, please notify DCLU, code compliance of your noise complaint. The contact person is David George, (206) 684-7843.

The dumpsters are dirty and smelly
Please contact your provider's customer service department to report the problem.

The trucks that pick up recycling in my business area are too noisy
Please contact the specific company that is doing the recycling collection to report your complaint. Commercial recycling service is provided by private companies.

Please refer to the name of the company that is printed on the truck or that is on your dumpster or can.

I have called my hauler to report a complaint and have not yet received an adequate response. I would like to report my problem to the City and request assistance in resolving the problem.
Customers with complaints should first call their area provider to register the complaint. If a resolution is not reached in a timely fashion, the customer should write the area provider a letter stating the issue, and send a copy of the letter to:
SPU, attention Hans Van Dusen
Key Tower
Seattle Public Utilities
700 5th Ave. Suite 4900
Seattle, WA 98104-5004

The City will monitor the situation via a monthly report from the provider. If the issue is not resolved, you may request a formal hearing with the City.

SPU inspectors can be made available at any point during the dispute process, at the City's discretion, to help resolve the matter.

Whom do I call about missed collections?
If your collection is missed, please contact your designated service provider:

If your business is located North of Royal Brougham Way/Jackson Street:

Call Rabanco's Emerald City Disopsal and Recycling at 206-332-7777 for assistance.

If your business is located South of Royal Brougham Way/Jackson Steet: Please call 206-762-3000 for assistance.