Garbage piling up? Relief is in sight

The recent spate of snowstorms did more than keep people stranded. It also left Seattle-area residents with piles of garbage because of canceled trash-collection routes.

But relief is in sight.

Saturday and Sunday pickups are being scheduled, conditions permitting, for Seattle's residential garbage, recycling, food and yard-waste customers, Seattle Public Utilities said Friday. Trash collection also will resume for some suburban communities.

In Seattle, customers whose normal pickup day was Friday are scheduled to have waste collection today, and those who should have had collection Thursday will have a Sunday pickup, according to public utilities.

Customers scheduled for Monday through Wednesday pickup should set out their materials on their normal days next week. There will be no charge for extra garbage.

"We are eager to resume residential services as soon as possible, but safety with our large trucks is our first priority," said Hans Van Dusen, solid-waste contracts manager for Seattle Public Utilities.

"Warmer weather is forecast for this weekend and next week, and we expect that will make it safer to send big trucks back into Seattle's neighborhoods," Van Dusen said.

Customers whose collections were missed also can take their waste to Seattle's Recycling and Disposal stations, where it will be accepted at no charge. The stations will be closed Thursday.

Residents can get details on Seattle Public Utilities' Web site at www.seattle.gov/util or by calling 206-684-3000. Customers also sign up for service alerts at www.seattle.gov/lists.

Bellevue

Allied Waste Services plans to resume regular pickup of garbage, recycling and yard debris Monday, weather permitting. Allied will not have pickups on New Year's Day.

Allied customers whose regular pickup day is Thursday will get service Jan. 2, and those whose regular pickup day was Friday will get service next Saturday, weather permitting.

If your garbage, recycling and yard waste are not collected, take materials back inside, according to Allied Waste.

Extra garbage, recycling and yard debris will be collected at no additional charge a week later on the next regularly scheduled collection day. Excess materials because of missed collection can be put in a temporary container, such as a box or paper bag marked "Garbage," "Recycling" or "Yard Debris."

Customers who have questions should call Allied Waste's customer service at 425-452-4762.

Shoreline

Christmas Day customers affected by Friday's cancellations will have pickup Jan. 2. Residential customers may set out double the normal amount of garbage at no additional charge.

Commercial services are operating on a limited basis using inclement-weather routes. Critical customers such as hospitals will be given priority. Ninety percent of customers are expected to be served.

Visit CleanScapes' Web site at www.cleanscapes.com for more information, or call 206-763-4444.

Waste Management Northwest

Customers who are served by Waste Management Northwest should go to the company's Web site at www.wmnorthwest.com and check under "service delays."

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com