FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2014

MEDIA CONTACTS
Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5160
Megan Marquett, Media and Communications, mmarquett@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5051

Every Other Week Garbage Collection is Meeting Projected Goals

The City of Tacoma’s rollout of every other week garbage collection is reducing fuel costs and pollution as projected.

In the first quarter, fuel costs were reduced by 44 percent, which if sustained would save the City about $163,000 a year in fuel costs.

Much of the success of the switch to every other week garbage collection is credited to Solid Waste Management’s community outreach effort to get customers in the right size containers, said Andrew Torres, Solid Waste assistant division manager.

“What we found as we went out and talked to customers was that many were paying for a higher service level than they needed,” Torres explained. “By helping them get the right sized container we were able to make the proper service level adjustments for them to make the new collection schedule work.”

That switch, and the partnership of solid waste customers with their utility, is having environmental benefits too. Every other week garbage collection is helping reduce the City’s carbon footprint.

“We have seen a 20 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, which has a positive impact on our community’s environment,” Torres said.

The every other week garbage implementation is part of the City’s Environmental Services Department’s goal to deliver exceptional customer service that meets the needs of Tacoma’s residents, and is affordably priced and protects the health and safety of the community.