TO: Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Public Works |
Aaron Bert |
425-553-5814 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Public Works |
Jesse Dunbar |
Program Administrator |
|
Public Works |
Amy Jankowiak |
Division Supervisor |
TITLE:title
Progress of the Waste Hauler Contract Transition for Garbage, Recycling, and Compostables from Waste Management to Recology
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
In 2023, Public Works began a procurement process for a new Garbage, Recycling, and Compostables Service Contract. Council approved the contract at the August 5, 2024, Special Meeting. The new contract went into effect on January 1, 2026. Attached is an update on Recology’s performance since the contract started.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☒ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
King County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan, King County Solid Waste Interlocal Agreement,
Environmental Sustainability Action Plan
• Required:
N/A
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
Recology has provided strong service since the contract began in January 2026. Early collection-hour issues were resolved quickly, and missed collections remain very low and are fixed within 24 hours. Material handling and spill response meet all requirements. Customer service performance meets contract standards.
Commercial and multifamily services continue to grow, with diversion increasing to 47.31% in March. Communications, container maintenance, and the relabeling project are all on schedule. The fleet is fully compliant, and reporting has been timely.
The Recology Store continues to deliver strong community benefits through hard-to-recycle collection and shredding events. Bulky item collection is active and expanding, including planned on-site collection boxes at multifamily properties.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
o August - Recology Redmond website published
o September - Focus on Redmond feature, postcards from Recology to introduce Recology as new waste hauler, Recology outreach to commercial customers continues,
o October - Recology store opened, ribbon cutting 10/22, Transition FAQ added to website, commercial organics outreach to customers began, social media updates began
o November - New rate packets sent to customers, social media campaign continues
o December - All customers received updated haul schedules and customer service contacts via mail, social media continues.
o January - Social media updates daily during first week of service
• Outreach Methods and Results:
Press release, postcards, packets, ribbon cutting, social media, phone calls, websites
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
N/A
Approved in current biennial budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
0000006
Budget Priority:
Healthy and Sustainable
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain:
Revenue generated through franchise fees. This contract will maintain stable revenue for the Solid Waste Fund.
Funding source(s):
N/A
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
7/2/2024 |
Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works |
Receive Information |
|
7/16/2024 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
|
8/5/2024 |
Special Meeting |
Approve |
|
10/21/2025 |
Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works |
Receive Information |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
6/16/2026 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
Time Constraints:
N/A
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Recology Contract Update