News article from 8/23/2024
The Snoqualmie City Council approved a new 7-year solid waste contract with Waste Management on August 12, 2024, to take effect on June 1, 2025. This contract will continue to offer the same garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection services as before, but it introduces a significant average residential price increase of 42% compared to the previous agreement from 2012. The increase is largely due to factors such as record inflation, rising costs of goods and services, and the overall increase in the cost of living in the area. The city had solicited bids from multiple providers, including Waste Management, Recology, Republic Services, and Cedar Grove, with Waste Management being the lowest bidder. Parks and Public Works Director Jeff Hamlin indicated that negotiating this contract was particularly challenging due to uncertainties regarding long-term collection costs and market instabilities, especially in recycling.
Although residents will face higher rates, the new pricing structure is comparable to those in nearby cities like Sammamish and Kirkland. The city will provide further notifications about the new pricing in the spring of 2025 as the effective date approaches.