United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5306W)
EPA-530-F-99-017p
October 1999
www.epa.gov/osw
Seattle, Washington
44% Municipal Solid Waste Reduction
(49% Residential Solid Waste Reduction: 48% Institutional/Commercial
Solid Waste Reduction, 18% Self-haul Waste Reduction)
Overview
Seattle faced a trash disposal crisis in the late 1980s after
two city-operated landfills closed. Because of citizen
opposition to incineration, the city opted to pursue an
aggressive waste reduction program. In 1988, the city set a
goal to recycle 60% of its residential and commercial waste by
1998. Curbside recycling service for single-family homes
began in 1988, and an apartment recycling program and
curbside collection of source-separated yard debris in began
1989. The city has charged pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) rates
for trash disposal since 1981. In 1996, Seattle diverted 49% of
its residential waste stream, 48% of its commercial waste
stream, and 18% of the materials delivered to its drop-off
sites. Overall, Seattle diverted 44% of its waste stream (34%
through recycling and 11% through composting). Private
companies provide residential waste management services
under city contracts and compete on the open market for
commercial customers. City waste management staff functions
include operating two transfer stations, providing education
and publicity, and overseeing contractors.
DHALU
POPULATION: 534,700
(1996)
HOUSEHOLDS: 248,970 total
units: 149,500 SFDs (4 or
fewer units in building),
99,470 MFDs
BUSINESSES: 45,000
Keys to High Waste Reduction
Comprehensive curbside recycling and
yard debris programs, PAYT trash rates,
strong private sector recycling, and
multi-family recycling service
contribute to the effectiveness of
Seattle's waste reduction program.
Seattle's single-family curbside recycling
program accepts 16 categories of
materials; its apartment program accepts
13. In 1996, Seattle residents diverted
14% of their waste through the city's
curbside yard debris collection
program. The city's PAYT trash rates
have been so successful, the city
added two small-volume subscription
PROGRAM SUMMARY
1987
1996
Tons Per Year MSW NA 767,144
Tons Per Year RSW 233,230 288,106
Tons Per Year ICW NA 379,166
Tons Per Year Self-Haul NA 99,843
Percent MSW Diverted NA 44%
Percent RSW Diverted 19% 49%
Percent ICW Diverted NA 48%
Percent Self-Haul Diverted NA 18%
Average Ibs./HH/dayi
5.61
6.34
Net Program Costs/HHI $155.33 $154.93
Disposal Services $155.33 $101.14
Diversion Services $0.002 $53.79
Key: MSW = municipal solid waste RSW = residential solid waste
ICW = institutional and commercial waste
NA = not available
Notes: 1987 dollars adjusted to 1996 dollars using the GDP
deflator. Numbers may not add due to rounding.
^Figures above reflect residential sector collection only. 227,890
households served in 1987, 248,970 in 1996.
2Reported recycling in private sector. The city incurred no costs for
this recycling.
Source: Institute for Local Self-Reliance, 1999.
This profile is part of the fact sheet Cutting the Waste Stream in Half: Community Record-Setters Show How (EPA-530-F-99-017).
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levels (the 12-gallon "micro-can" and the 19-
gallon "mini-can") in response to public
requests. Strong local markets for recyclable
materials and a city tax incentive provide
support for recycling in the private sector.
Since more than 40% of Seattle
households are located in multi-family
units, providing recycling to these
households is a critical element in the success of
Seattle's waste reduction program.
Seattle involves its citizens in its
comprehensive education programs. The city's
Master Composter and Friends of Recycling
programs provide free training to residents who
then perform outreach.
Cost-Effectiveness
Cost-effectiveness of Seattle's waste
reduction efforts is due to the city's PAYT
trash fees and lower per ton costs for recycling
RESIDENTIAL WASTE GENERATION
PER HOUSEHOLD PER DAY
7.0
MATERIALS RECOVERED
CURBSIDE (SFDs):
newspaper, magazines and catalogs, corrugated cardboard
mixed paper (mail, colored and white paper, bags, paperboard, and phone
books)
glass containers
cans
juice and milk cartons
#1 and #2 bottles
ferrous metals and white goods
leaves, grass clippings, brush, holiday trees, and other yard debris
CURBSIDE (MFDs):
aluminum and tin cans, glass bottles and jars, newspaper, mixed paper,
white goods (two of the four private haulers that service apartment
buildings also collect plastics)
DROP-OFF:
all items collected
curbside plus:
lead-acid batteries
used motor oil
oil filters
clean wood scrap
and lumber
Seattle's micro-can
and 32-gallon trash
can sizes
1987
1996
Recycling
and composting as compared to trash disposal.
On a per-ton basis, total waste management
cost $154 per ton; trash cost $173 per ton;
recycling; $121 per ton; and composting; $142
per ton. The city's PAYT trash fee structure
encourages residents to recover rather than
dispose of materials. Doing so also saves the
city money as fees paid to its contractors are
based on per-ton fees. In 1996, per household
waste management costs averaged $155, the
same as in 1987.
Tips for Replication
Recover mixed paper for recycling.
Distribute bins to all participants.
Institute PAYT rates for trash service.
Invest in education programs, support
the programs with market research, and target
messages to people of all ethnicities.
Accept some or all the risk of
secondary materials prices.
Pay trash haulers partly based on tons
collected so as recycling increases, savings
result.
Contact
Jenny Bagby
Resource Management Branch
The Seattle Public Utilities
710 Second Avenue #505
Seattle, WA 98104
PHONE: 206-684-7808
FAX: 206-684-8529
WEB SITE: http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/util
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