The first of two increases for Kent customers in 2017
King County’s solid waste disposal fees are increasing, effective January 1, 2017. The fees were approved by the King County Council for 2017 and 2018. This rate increase impacts residents and businesses in King County – except for Seattle and Milton – who pay for garbage collection service and anyone who uses a King County transfer station. The City of Kent passes on these disposal cost increases to Kent customers through their Republic Services bills.
The fees are going up to cover these costs:
- Increased cost of current services, including recycling programs, waste transfer, and disposal at the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill
- New recycling options at transfer stations to divert 42,000 additional tons of recyclable materials from the landfill each year to reduce climate impacts, conserve natural resources, and extend the life of the landfill
- Construction costs for previously approved new transfer stations to replace the Factoria Transfer Station, currently under construction in Bellevue
Disposal fees pay for the day-to-day costs of operating King County’s regional solid waste transfer and disposal system that includes eight transfer stations, two rural drop boxes, and the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, the only operating landfill in King County.
The fees also pay for waste prevention and recycling grants to cities; public outreach to schools, businesses and residents; community cleanup assistance programs; monitoring of closed landfills; and the planning, engineering, and financial services that support this regional solid waste system.
For more information, visit the King County website – Solid Waste Division or download this rate increase flyer.
In addition to this cost increase, Republic Services customers in Kent will see a rate increase, effective April 1. The amount of the annual rate increase is not yet known, but it is tied to labor costs.
