A. The rates for garbage and recycling services are not set or regulated by the city of Everett. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, hereinafter referred to as “WUTC”, approves rates based on cost of service. The city encourages rates and services that increase recycling. To increase recycling in the multifamily sector and to help meet city recycling goals, the service providers will propose to the WUTC an embedded rate structure that includes both garbage and recycling services. The city will request a review of tariff filings prior to submission to the WUTC.

B. By incorporating a recycling element into current disposal services, costs for collection and service will increase. To allow apartment buildings, condominiums, and trailer parks with five or more units the opportunity to offset increased disposal costs, service providers will have in place levels of disposal service that include “downsizing” opportunities. Downsizing opportunities will include access to a variety of service levels, increased minimal levels of service (if needed), and changes in collection frequency to help offset higher disposal costs.

C. Everett does not mandate garbage collection to the multifamily sector. This chapter does not change that policy. The costs for garbage and recycling are to be combined into one charge. Multifamily complexes can choose not to recycle but they will still be charged for the recycling element, if they have garbage collection service, whether they use it or not, like our single-family residential customers.

D. The city encourages multifamily buildings to reduce waste and recycle. A rate for multifamily buildings that want only recycling services and no garbage collection services will be included.

E. Service providers will file rate tariffs with the WUTC thirty to sixty days from passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter. Service providers will implement services thirty to ninety days from approval of rate tariffs by the WUTC.

F. Service providers will include a rate for compactors. (Ord. 2043-95 § 2, 1995.)