Bellingham residents of duplexes, triplexes or quadplexes can combine their recycling and waste collection services with other units on their property by requesting a waiver from the city.聽In January, local hauler Sanitary Service Company started rolling out the FoodPlus food and yard waste collection service, which costs $13.69 per month, to all Bellingham single-family households and multiplexes up to four units.
Organics collection will eventually be mandatory in all larger Washington cities due to recent state legislation.聽With organic matter making up a third of the waste stream, the action should help the city cut down on landfilled material and meet its climate goals.
But during a Bellingham City Council meeting Monday, Feb. 10, council members shared that they鈥檇 been hearing complaints from constituents about the new service鈥檚 added cost, how it is required even for home composters, and how it brings the number of household waste receptacles to three bulky rolling toters.