City officials have announced a significant transition in waste management. Starting in the new year, the City of Spokane will begin picking up curbside yard and food waste bins during the winter months. This move is part of a larger plan to comply with state law by 2030, which requires all city residents to participate in yard and food waste removal.

Preparing for the Future

Kirstin Davis, the communications manager for the City of Spokane's Public Works and Utilities department, emphasizes the importance of this transition. "This is in preparation for what we're going to have to move forward to, because of state laws, that we will be reducing the amount of organic waste in our trash system," she says.Even with the looming state law, many residents have expressed a desire for this service. The mild winters in Spokane have led people to want to clean up their yards later into the season. Davis also highlights the need for residents to focus on food waste. During the winter, waste would sit in the bins for a long time, deterring proper disposal. Now, the change aims to alleviate this problem.

How to Prepare for Curbside Pickup

Stuff Your Green Cart: Residents who subscribe to the optional yard and food waste green cart service are encouraged to fill their carts with as many leaves and yard waste as possible between now and November 30th. It's important to note that leaves should not be pushed into the street, and there should be a clear path for stormwater and snow melt-off. The 90-gallon green cart can accommodate various types of yard waste, including leaves, pine needles, grass, pumpkins, pinecones, weeds, vines, thatch, plant trimmings, small amounts of sod, and branches. Make sure to close the lids fully to avoid any issues.Extra Bag Rules: Plastic bags do not belong in food and yard waste green carts. Green carts with plastic bags are billed as garbage, while paper leaf bags are acceptable. Yard and food waste collection customers can dispose of up to three extra paper bags full of leaves at a discounted fee. If plastic bags with leaves are left out, there is a larger disposal fee per bag, and they go into the trash. The leaves are sent to the composting facility.Reduce Food Waste and Put Scraps in Green Carts: Green cart customers can dispose of food scraps and food-soiled paper in the carts. Acceptable scraps include meat, poultry, fish, beans, dairy products, fruit, vegetables, breads, grains, pasta, eggshells, nutshells, coffee grounds, tea bags, and leftovers. Acceptable food-soiled papers include greasy pizza boxes, coffee filters, paper towels, paper napkins, uncoated paper plates and cups, paper egg and berry cartons, and paper grocery bags with food scraps.The city also notes that recyclers and composters can still recycle yard and food waste at the City's Waste to Energy (WTE) facility. Clean green materials are accepted year-round at WTE, which is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The minimum charge is $7.12 for up to 200 pounds of clean green material, and there is also a self-haul fee of $2.33.With the new change, the cost of the service will also decrease. Currently, it costs about $20 for a nine-month service. Starting next year, the price will reduce to $18.01 per month. The city expects residents who use the green bins to be able to decrease the size of their trash and recycle bins, which will lead to overall cost savings.This transition is a significant step towards a more sustainable waste management system in Spokane. By following these guidelines and participating in the yard and food waste removal program, residents can play a vital role in reducing organic waste and protecting the environment.