Trash has begun piling up across Western Washington as snow and cold weather has forced trash collection services to postpone pickup.
"This series of storms lined up one after the other has presented a historic challenge to our drivers who pick up solid waste," said Mami Hara, general manager and CEO of Seattle Public Utilities. "we know it's very frustrating when your recycling, food and yard waste, and especially your garbage isn't picked up, so we really appreciate the patience."
Yvette Lapacek Olson, who works at Starbucks in Kirkland’s Rose Hill neighborhood, shared photos Thursday of trash overflowing from garbage and recycling containers.
Over 20 inches of snow have fallen at Sea-Tac Airport since the beginning of February, and rainfall on Monday created slushy, slick road conditions.
Waste Management Northwest canceled service last Monday and Tuesday across King, Snohomish, Skagit, and Island Counties after several inches of snow fell and subfreezing temperatures caused snowmelt to refreeze on roadways. Service was canceled or delayed again this week for cities across the region, including Seattle, Federal Way, Marysville, and Bremerton. Check alerts for changes in garbage pickup here.
Jackie Lang, a Waste Management spokesperson, said cancelation decisions are made with safety in mind for employees and the community.
“We monitor conditions 24/7 and begin scouting routes in wee hours of the morning,” Lang said.
Hara said pickup service would continue through the weekend.
If your garbage pickup was canceled due to severe weather, Waste Management Northwest will accept twice the regular amount on the next regular collection day for no extra charge. Some areas, including Arlington and Marysville, will accept three times the regular amount as service have been delayed for multiple weeks.
Seattle residential customers who have had collection delayed for more than a week can take their garbage, recycling, and food waste to a city transfer station February 13-16 free of charge, according to Hara.
Customers are also encouraged to remove snow accumulation near waste bins or move bins to a more accessible location to ensure pickup.