County Council restores recycling services at transfer stations

September 24, 2012

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The Metropolitan King County Council today approved legislation that will allow recycling operations to resume at several transfer stations across King County in 2013, including the Shoreline transfer station and the Houghton transfer station in Kirkland.

“I heard from many residents in my district who valued recycling, and were concerned about the closure of this service at County facilities,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, who represents Shoreline and part of Kirkland. “After listening to their concerns, I worked with Executive Constantine to bring recycling back.”

Recycling services at Shoreline, Houghton, and other King County transfer stations were shut down in February as part of an effort to reduce costs. The Council’s action today to reopen recycling at its transfer stations responds to residents who expressed concerns about not providing recycling services.

The legislation approved by the Council today adopts a commercial solid waste disposal rate through 2014 of $120.17 per ton. The new rate is an increase from the current $109 per ton rate. It is estimated that new rate will cost the average single-family household an additional 65 cents per month, resulting in a 3.5 percent increase in the average monthly residential solid waste bill.