Are you paying attention? New days set for trash pickup

Seattle Public Utilities, preparing for changes in recycling services next week, is making automated phone calls to some 90,000 Seattle households whose pickup days are about to change.

Despite efforts to publicize changes to Seattle's recycling program — including mailings, tags placed on garbage cans, news stories and advertisements — SPU spokesman Andy Ryan said a poll conducted last weekend showed that one in five Seattle households may not know their new pickup day.

Starting Monday, Seattle will become the first city in King County to mandate food- and yard-waste service.

Unless they can prove they are composting food scraps, single-family homes have to sign up for at least the smallest food-scrap bin — and add $3.60 to their monthly recycling bill. Food waste can still go in the trash. Food and yard waste go in the same bin.

Rates for garbage pickup are rising, too, by about $3 to $5 for residential customers.

Changes to recycling guidelines are meant to make the sorting and separating process easier: For example, glass won't need to be separated from other recyclables.

To figure out your collection day, and get other information, here's what SPU advises:

... Look for the flier you got recently from SPU. The mailing label shows the new collection day, and the flier contains other information about the recycling and yard- and food-waste changes.

... Look on your garbage can for a sticky tape label, recently placed there by SPU, showing your new collection day. If there is no tape on your can, ask a neighbor when your street is being collected.

... Or call SPU's customer-service line: 206-684-3000.