Why was I charged for
extras? |
The driver will charge
you for extra if your can is overflowing or if you have anything next
to your can. You are charged according to the size of can, which means
you can fill it to the top of the container without being charged for
extra. If your can is overflowing, you may need to increase your level
of service. Bags, boxes, or other items that are too close to the container
may be taken as extra. If you do not want it picked up, keep it away
from the container to avoid confusion. |
What happens if my garbage is missed? |
Depending upon the circumstances, weather,
construction, etc. our drivers may not always be able to access your
account. Should this occur, and our driver is able to pick you up on
the next regular scheduled pick up day, we will take the equivalent of
your missed service at no additional charge. |
Why is my bill so high? |
In some areas, we bill two months in advance.
If your account was started in the middle of a billing cycle, you may
have been billed for three months. Your future bills will only be for
two months. Depending upon where you live and the type of service you
have you may be billed monthly or bimonthly. |
Can I stop my service while I am
on vacation? |
Most residential service can be placed on
vacation hold while some commercial and container accounts cannot as
you are paying for the rental of the container. Please contact your local
office to determine whether or not your service can be placed on hold. |
How do I make changes to my account? |
Please call your local office to make any
changes. Do not write the change on your bill or give
the information to your driver. |
When I am required to supply my
own can, what are the can requirements? |
Cans must have a water tight, close fitting
cover and two handles. A mini can should not exceed 20 gallons or weigh
more than 35 pounds when full. A standard can should not exceed 32 gallons
or weigh more than 65 pounds when full or 12 pounds when empty. |
What are the charges for Recycle
Program Adjustment and Value of Recyclables on my bill? |
The Recycle Program Adjustment is
the portion of the garbage rate that is allocated to the recycle program.
The Value of Recyclables is the average value of the recycle materials
collected from recycle customers, it is refigured annually. |
Why am I being
charged for recycle when I don’t recycle? |
In 1989 the state mandated that all residents would pay for the recycle program. This was passed in the form of the “Waste Not Washington Bill”. |
Why can’t
I recycle glass in my comingle recycle toter? |
Breakage during collection leaves glass shards
in the paper that damage processing equipment and pose a danger to sorting
crews. This reduces the recyclability of recycled paper and increases
processing and disposal costs. |
What can I put in my commingle recycle
toter? |
Newspaper, cardboard, cans, mixed paper,
magazines, plastic bottles, and paper milk-style cartons. Please do not put
pizza boxes, plastic tubs, bags, jars, juice boxes/pouches, or waxed
cardboard into your recycle toter. |
Where can I get more information
about recycling? |
|
What should I do
with recyclables that won’t fit in
the cart? |
Items left outside the cart will not be collected.
Recyclables also can be taken to staffed recycling stations throughout
the county. For a list of recycling locations call 1-800-RECYCLE or go
online to: www.piercecountywa.org/recycle. |
Can I leave a message when the office
is closed? |
Yes, your local office has voicemail. Most
calls are returned the next day. |
How can I pay my bill? |
Bills can be paid By Phone, in person at any of our
offices with cash, check or money order, through the mail with check
or money order. In our Tacoma office only we accept Visa and Mastercard. |
When will we be able to pay by phone? |
You currently can pay by
phone service. |
Why has my pick up time changed? |
Though our drivers try to pick up at the
same time each week this is not always possible. For this reason we ask
that service be available by 6:00 a.m. to ensure pick up. |
How long can I keep the container? |
On the smaller containers (1-2yds)
we offer temporary on-call service which has a time restrictions of 2-90
days. Other containers can be used for as long as needed. |
How long does it take to get a container? |
Containers are usually delivered 1-3 working
days after the order is taken. |
What can I put in a dumpster (1 - 6yd)? |
One to two yard containers are for large
amounts of household trash. Three to six yard containers can only be used at commercial properties. There can be NO hot ash, petroleum products,
insecticides, hazardous waste, car batteries, engine parts, construction
debris, roofing materials, concrete, or refrigerator/freezers (other
appliances are alright) in the containers. |
What is demurrage? |
Demurrage is the rent on a drop box. |
What is E & R? |
E & R stands for empty and return. This
is the hauling charge when we empty a drop box then take it back to the
customer’s site. |
When will I be billed for my drop box? |
We only bill drop boxes once a month. Since
we bill after the fact we bill at the beginning of the month for service
provided in the previous month. |
What can I put in a drop box? |
Drop boxes are for large amounts of garbage,
construction, etc. There can be no hot ashes, petroleum products (or
car parts that contain petroleum products), insecticides, corrosive materials
(ex. car batteries), liquids or other hazardous wastes. Appliances and
tires may have additional charges. |