News

The rate increase reflects an increase in the operational costs for us to provide the best service. Effective January 1st, 2019, Murrey’s, American & Vashon customers will see an increase in garbage & recycle service prices. This increase is due to rising costs and reflects the cost of fuel, maintenance, truck costs, labor costs, etc. This increase will help our company offset these rising costs we are paying out of pocket.

We believe the overall cost of service (proposed monthly rates shown above) is a good value for the service you receive. For this monthly price, we visit your home six times for garbage and recycle customers per month to remove over 300-gallons worth unwanted material and also provide you with convenient carts to allow you to easily dispose of garbage and recycle.

The Washington State UTC has the authority to set the final rates that may be higher or lower from the company’s requested increase.

The rates are effective January 1st, 2019. Customers that receive their bill on January 1st for December and January service will see a prorated charge for the January portion of the bill. Customers that receive their bill on February 1st for January and February service will just see the new rates and a prorate will not be needed.

You should, hopefully, be receiving exceptional service right now. Any time you have a service problem or question, please call or email to let us know. Our goal is to provide the best possible service. Our customer service teams are happy to assist with any service issue that might arise.

The rates are regulated to make sure that customers pay a fair amount for the service provided. The increase strictly reflects the increase in service costs like truck maintenance, labor costs, fuel, etc. The final rates are determined by the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC or UTC). We have to have approval from the UTC in order to raise the rates. The UTC has the authority to set the final rates which could be higher or lower than the proposed rates from our companies.

Customers were notified by a letter mailed to the billing address that included the proposed rate increase as well as ways customers could comment or participate in the rate case.

The increase that was effective Oct. 1st, 2018 for Murrey’s & American customers was strictly related to the value of recycle. In the past you saw this as a credit on your bill. Recent disruption to global recycling markets has increased the cost for processing recyclables. Prices will adjust every five to twelve months to respond to future market changes. The cost increase is a “pass thru” cost – as the rate was increased for us to dispose of recyclable material that increase was passed to customers.

In Pierce County we have a rate structure that encourages customers to recycle. It is required that our rate for service be CHEAPER for those that recycle than those that don’t. This ‘inverted rate structure’ model means that everyone pays into the recycling program and those that recycle get a $1.00 per 35 gallons garbage service per month discount on their trash. The reason for this ordinance is to encourage as many customers as possible to participate in the recycling program. We encourage all customers to recycle because it is good for the environment, recycling may allow you to reduce your solid waste bill, and increased participation in the program will help keep program costs down. If you choose to cancel the recycle service, your overall monthly bill would actually increase. If you feel like you could recycle better and reduce the amount of garbage each week, you could opt for a smaller garbage container at a lower rate. 

King County has a voluntary recycle program – it is completely optional and does not impact the garbage rates if you opt out of the recycle program.