Curbside Cleanup to be Replaced With Coupons

Mountlake Terrace has had a bit of a stigma over the years as a place where, to put it bluntly, people keep a lot of junk in their yards. There are a few things the City has done, though, to help change this in recent years. The City has adopted nuisance codes which basically prohibit the accumulation of junk on your property. For example, you are only allowed to have up to two cars in your back yard. I’ve heard a couple people complain about MLT code enforcement but I definitely see it as a good thing for our community. You can read the full text of the City’s nuisance code here.

3744054832_219d327df2Another program that the City has done in partnership with Waste Management since 2001 is the curbside cleanup program which allowed residents to leave extra garbage out on their curb to be picked up for free. The amount of garbage being picked up each year (around 400 tons) has increased over the years to the point where it has gotten too expensive. Beginning in 2010, instead of the curbside cleanup, residents will receive a tag or sticker from Waste Management every three months that can be put on one extra item you would like picked up with your garbage without additional charge.  The tags can be used for an extra bag of garbage, a small piece of furniture, etc.  You decide when you want to use the tags: you can use them one at a time, or save all four you receive during the year and use them at one time.

These coupons issued by Waste Management will be mailed directly to residents and may be used on any regularly scheduled pick up date. Items accepted in the coupon program will include extra units of garbage or yard waste that conform to the following limitations:

• One 32-gallon cart equivalent per coupon;
• Items must be bagged, boxed or bundled;
• Weight per unit cannot exceed 50 lbs;
• Items must be less than 3 ½ ft in size (length and/or width); and
• Yard debris must be placed in 32-gallon cans with handles and lid (65 lb weight limit), Kraft bag or bundles with sisal twine (4’ x 2’ limit).

    1. Not that I know of and I kind of doubt that the City would give you new ones. You might want to post something on the MLTnews FB page and see if anyone is not planning on using theirs.

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