
This article has been edited to change an incorrect statement about discounts for solid waste hauling.
Over the past few years, Lynnwood has gone back and forth over how it should haul its trash.
After a rough winter season in 2022, the Lynnwood City Council started the process of terminating its garbage and recycling hauling contract with the state, proposing that city staff take over the process. At its Monday, Feb. 3 work session, the council is set to discuss the logistics of reversing that decision – potentially leaving waste management in the hands of the state.
According to a survey from 2023, the majority of Lynnwood residents were satisfied with their current waste hauling services. Based on those results, staff began to reevaluate the city’s decision to change its garbage hauling system.
However, resident satisfaction doesn’t mean the system has always worked flawlessly. In 2022, Lynnwood was hit with a brutal winter storm, leaving the city under a layer of snow and ice. The storm resulted in “extended periods of time” where trash and recycling pickup was unavailable, prompting the council and city staff to look into other waste hauling options, city documents say.
Lynnwood has been a part of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission since 1959 and garbage pickup has been in the hands of the state ever since. In early 2023, the council passed an ordinance to investigate putting the job under city management, ending its contract with the WUTC.
If the city were to take over garbage hauling, it would require staff to start a seven- to 10-year process of getting out of its waste hauling contract with the state. This would also mean the city would have to spend more money to hire and train staff to manage its own waste.
Since it seems residents are happy with how their trash is being handled, on Monday the council is set to discuss the possibility of leaving things how they are. However, waste hauling would be cheaper for residents if the city took over, per city documents. This change could also offer discounts to seniors, people with disabilities and those who earn low incomes.
In other business, the council is scheduled to receive a federal government update and discuss its priorities and engagement opportunities on the federal level.
A full meeting agenda is available on the city’s website.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3 at Lynnwood City Hall. The meeting will also be livestreamed on Zoom.
— By Ashley Nash. ashley@myedmondsnews.com
The garbage service is substandard. The city has no control over it. There would be cost benefits to a city run service. Please read the results of the survey. Let’s get out from under state management and the arrogant Republic services.
We (neighbors)like our “sanitation engineers”. Good comment on the snow and garbage pick up. The school buses didn’t run during the snow./ice. Waste Management picked up when the roads and hills were clear and safe . Our driver even moved the cans off the sidewalk. Maybe the city should remember how much overtime the city workers logged in during bad weather.
I am completely satisfied with our waste management service during the 50+ years we have lived on the east side of Lynnwood. Our daughter, who has lived on the west side for 15+ years, is also completely satisfied with Republic’s service. Your very limited surveys also showed that most people are satisfied with their service. The weather issue mentioned would have likely caused any waste hauler problems. I think Public Works has enough on their plate and has no business getting into waste hauling. They have a difficult time just maintaining the roads (thanks to council management). I know you have heard this before, “if it isn’t broke, do not try to fix it.” If you still think this is a good idea, I suggest you get a larger sample size when asking the citizens of Lynnwood about this. Like put it on the ballot along with the names of city officials that support this very bad idea. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Duane W Karna
Ashley, This statement is not correct – “Additionally, the state contract offers discounts to seniors, people with disabilities and those who earn low incomes” What we do receive is a Disposal Card allowing us to take our own 32 gallon bagged or boxed trash to the dump ourselves… Cost is $2 each time and up to 20 times a year. This is hardly a discount and not feasible in the least for a disabled low income senior to be able to haul their trash themselves. I have confirmed this so called “discount” repeatedly with the city and with Waste Mgmt. And as for being “happy and satisfied” – dream on SnoConCity of Lynnwood Public Works.!
Thanks for catching my error. That sentence has been corrected.
Appreciated.