New hours at solid waste transfer stations reflect continued decline in garbage volumes

As a cost-saving measure, King County plans to change operating hours at five of its eight solid waste transfer stations early next year in response to a continued decline in garbage volumes.

“Since 2007, the Solid Waste Division has seen a decrease of approximately 15 percent in the amount of waste brought to its transfer facilities, along with a corresponding decrease in revenue to operate our solid waste transfer and disposal system,” said Solid Waste Division Director Kevin Kiernan.

Beginning Jan. 2, transfer station hours will be:

No changes are proposed for the Shoreline Transfer Station or the rural facilities, although the division will continue to analyze options that meet the overall needs of customers while maintaining the financial integrity of the system.

The proposed changes represent a slightly less than 10 percent decrease in urban transfer system hours. The cost savings will be approximately $600,000 annually.

“Considering the tonnage and revenue decline, the division cannot afford to maintain the current operating hours, and we will evaluate the need to adjust hours again in the future, should tonnage continue to fall or should it rise,” Kiernan said.

Kiernan said the division looked at customer activity levels at each station and assessed what hours would meet most customers’ needs yet still provide savings.

The King County Solid Waste Division operates eight transfer stations, two rural drop boxes and the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, and provides environmentally responsible solid waste services to more than 1.3 million residents in King County, excluding Seattle and Milton. Information is available at http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/index.asp.

Related information

What do I do with...?

Recycle More. It's Easy To Do.

King County Solid Waste