Trash-pickup days change for 90,000 in Seattle

Some 90,000 Seattle households will have new trash-collection days, starting this week.

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) placed automated phone calls to those homes in the past few days to reinforce the message that, as early as Monday, your trash day may be different.

Now, the utility is offering an easy way to check online if you have a new collection day: Go to seattle.gov/util/services/.

Despite efforts to publicize changes to Seattle's recycling program — including mailings, tags placed on garbage cans, news stories and $200,000 in advertising — 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 becomes 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 must 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 going up, too, by about $3 to $5 for residential customers.

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

If you still aren't sure of your collection day, or have questions about recycling rules:

... Look for the flier you got recently from SPU. The mailing label shows the new collection day, and the flier lists 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.

... Call SPU's customer-service line: 206-684-3000 or go to seattle.gov/util/services/