Washington County Answers Questions about Garbage Collection in Storm Aftermath

For Immediate Release: Friday, January 13, 2017

Washington County Solid Waste & Recycling provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about collection services in the aftermath of this week’s storm.

Due to the winter storm this week, the majority of Washington County residents and some businesses did not receive their regularly scheduled garbage and recycling collection. The following information addresses questions that residents in unincorporated Washington may have. If your property is located within a city boundary, contact your city office or collection company directly for more information about service impacts. For additional information or to find out what company collects your garbage and recycling, visit www.WashingtonCountyRecycles.com.

When will my garbage/recycling be picked up?
Because the snow and ice has lasted for multiple days, residents whose collection service was missed this week will receive garbage service next week on their regularly scheduled collection day.

If recycling or yard debris collection was missed, residents will receive collection service on the next regularly scheduled collection day for those items. Recycling and yard debris are collected every other week.

My garbage and recycling volumes have doubled since my regular pick-up was missed. What should I do with the extras?
Place your extra garbage at the curb for the next scheduled collection. There will be no additional charge for the extra material. If there is not enough room in your containers, place your garbage in a plastic bag next to your garbage container.

If recyclable materials are more than your cart will hold, the best thing to do is to store them and gradually add them over the following weeks until it is gone. This keeps the material dry and maintains its value as a recycling commodity. If you can’t store it, recyclable material that does not fit in the container can be set beside the container on collection day as long as it is properly prepared.

Will I be charged for these extra bags I place at the curb?
No. Your bill will not reflect any extra charges.

Will I receive a credit for the day(s) my collection service was missed?
No. Because your garbage and recycling will still be collected, no credit will be issued by your hauler. “We recognize that it’s inconvenient to have your collection delayed,” says Program Supervisor Theresa Koppang. “However, the haulers typically incur extra costs to pick up garbage in the aftermath of a storm. Rather than giving a credit for missed days, then charging customers for the “extras” that are set out, the County’s policy is to have the collection companies collect all the garbage and recycling that was missed at no additional charge to the customer.”

Should I worry about storing my garbage for more than the typical week?
No. Storing garbage during cold weather does not usually create a problem because materials are under cold storage (whether stored in the garage or outside). It’s a good idea to use plastic bags.

For more information, contact your hauler directly, visit www.WashingtonCountyRecycles.com or call Washington County Solid Waste & Recycling at 503-846-3605.

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