The beginning of May marks the start of a new partnership between Thurston County and Republic Services for operations, maintenance, transportation and disposal of solid waste and recycling, according to a news release from the county.
A “competitive and comprehensive bidding process” was conducted by the county and Republic Services was awarded the contract in April of 2022.
“We are excited to complete the transition to Republic Services,” Thurston County Solid Waste Manager Jeff Bickford said in the release. “We are looking forward to the future and the increased level of service we’ll be able to provide to the public.”
Customers using the Waste and Recovery Center in Lacey or the drop-box sites in Rainier and Rochester will see new, larger containers in the recycling areas and mixed recycling containers instead of separate item-specific containers at all three locations. Republic Services staff will be on-site at the drop box locations to assist customers as well.
“Our team is feeling very positive about the transition and is looking forward to beginning operations,” Republic Services Municipal Relationship Manager Steve Gilmore said in the release. “To be finally at the start date is exhilarating.”
According to the release, the changes are intended to further efforts to provide safe, accessible and functional solid waste facilities for the county and also support the county’s environmental health goals.
For more information, contact Thurston County Solid Waste at 360-867-2491 or ThurstonSolidWaste@co.thurston.wa.us.
