Residential Recycling Service Home curbside recycling collection is provided to all single-family residences and multi-family units (1-4 units) in our service area. Why does SSC use the Stack 3 Recycling Bin "Pre-Sorted" System? Where does my recycling go? Service Area: Bellingham, Ferndale, Birch Bay, Blaine and the majority of unincorporated Whatcom County.

Dumpsters All sizes are approximate. For enclosure guidelines and info click here. For additional questions please contact us. Gate Service (Option)  Available for a small charge. If locked, customer must unlock or supply a standard SSC dumpster lock. Purchase lock from Accurate Lock & Security, Inc. or Security Solutions. Options also available for roll-up doors, parking garage gates, etc. Pack Out Service (Option)  Available for customers whose containers must be moved more than 5 feet to reach collection truck. SSC driver takes container to truck, empties it and returns it to designated storage location. Small charge per pick-up on containers 4-yd and smaller (note: there are no wheels on 6-yd and up). Due to weight, most restaurants cannot have Pack Out Service over 2-yd. Contact us for rates or more info. Options Wheels (Option)Available on containers up to 4-yd in size. Lock Bars (Option)Available upon request for any size container. Dumpsters Length* Depth** Height 1-yd 80" 24" 34" 1.5-yd 80" 28" 36" 2-yd 80" 38" 40" 3-yd 80" 45" 46" 4-yd 80" 53" 56" 6-yd (cathedral roof) 80" 68" 71" 8-yd (cathedral roof) 80" 73" 86" Length: *Left to right as you face the container

Depth: **Front to back as you face the container

Drop Boxes All sizes are approximate. For enclosure guidelines and info click here. For additional questions please contact us. Gate Service (Option)Available for a small charge. If locked, customer must unlock or supply a standard SSC dumpster lock. Purchase lock from Accurate Lock & Security, Inc. or Security Solutions. Options also available for roll-up doors, parking garage gates, etc. Drop Boxes Width* Length** Height 15-yd 8' 12' 5' 20-yd 8' 17' 6' 30-yd 8' 18-20' 8' 40-yd 8' 23' 8' Width: *Left to right as you face the container

Length: **Front to back as you face the container Back to top

Preparing Your Recyclables Recycle the following properly sorted materials by placing them in a curbside recycle bin. Set out the night before or by 6:30AM on your collection day. Max. 35 lbs. per bin. Overfull recycling bins? Moderate quantities of extra materials can be placed next to recycling bins in an open cardboard box or plastic container (basket, bucket, etc.) no larger than your SSC curbside recycling bins. Additional recycling bins are available for purchase. Order here. For extra aluminum and plastic containers ONLY, you may also purchase a 30-32 gallon lightweight, plastic can (see examples to right) and label it Aluminum and Plastic Containers. For extra large quantities or home business-generated materials, please contact us or call our office 360-734-3490 Windy out? Click here for tips on preventing wind-blown litter. Thank you for helping us keep your neighborhood clean! 30-32 gal plastic can. 32 gal cart.

Scrap Paper and Newspaper Scrap Paper and newspaper can now be recycled together. Drivers cannot take recyclables in plastic bags for safety reason - use a small plastic tub or cardboard box no larger than a standard curbside bin for extras. Reminders: Place paper (or top layer of papers) in a paper bag if possible. Lay bag on side in bin to prevent windblown litter. Stack corrugated cardboard next to bins or Toters® for recycling. Yes: Mail, magazines, catalogs, newsprint, shoe/gift boxes, paper bags, photos, labels, phone books, paperboard cartons (ex. cereal/macânâcheese/egg). Discard liners/packing material. Flatten.

Envelopes, stationery, computer/copy/notebook/poster/carbonless paper, file folders, paperback books, guides, manuals. Staples, paper clips, file folder clips OK.

Shredded paper. Place in paper bag and tape shut with masking tape.

Masking paper/tape, floor protection paper (ex. Ram Board). Fold and flatten. No: No foil, plastics, plastic bags, including delivery bags, rubber bands, or strapping tape.

Aseptic (non-refrigerated, shelf-stable) cartons and boxes (ex. soy milk, broth, etc.) or paper with foil or plastic (ex. foil gift wrap, (TYVEK) postal envelopes).

Polycoated paper (refrigerator/freezer) cartons or boxes (ex. dairy, juice or frozen food containers), paper plates, napkins, towels, tissue.*

No paper sacks except those holding paper inside a curbside bin or box/tub no larger than an SSC recycling bin. Large, heavy duty paper sacks sold for yard waste OK. 50 lb limit. *These items are accepted in our FoodPlus! program. To sign up contact us.

Bottles, Cans and Plastic Containers Only Drivers cannot take recyclables in plastic bags for safety reason - use a small plastic tub or cardboard box no larger than a standard curbside bin for extras. Overfull recycling bins? Moderate quantities of extra materials can be placed next to recycling bins in an open cardboard box or plastic container (basket, bucket, etc.) no larger than your SSC curbside recycling bins. Additional recycling bins are available for purchase. Order here. For extra aluminum and plastic containers ONLY, you may also purchase a 30-32 gallon lightweight, plastic can (see examples to right) and label it Aluminum and Plastic Containers. Drill several holes in the bottom of the plastic can for drainage. Cans with water in them may not be able to be emptied for safety reasons. If your can is not collected for safety reasons, please drain any liquid and place out for collection on your next regularly scheduled pick-up day. Use your recycling bin to recycle glass bottles and metal cans. Yes: Glass Bottles and Jars . All colors. Labels & caps/lids OK. Throw away plastic corks; compost real corks. Remove caps/lids. Rinse bottles and jars clean. Bottles must be removed from 6-pak and 1/2 case boxes, etc. and placed loose in bin or Toter ® . Avoid breaking glass. Chipped or cracked OK. For broken/shattered glass, bag or place inside an empty carton (milk/juice) or box and discard in garbage.

. All colors. Labels & caps/lids OK. Throw away plastic corks; compost real corks. Remove caps/lids. Rinse bottles and jars clean. Bottles must be removed from 6-pak and 1/2 case boxes, etc. and placed loose in bin or Toter . Avoid breaking glass. Chipped or cracked OK. For broken/shattered glass, bag or place inside an empty carton (milk/juice) or box and discard in garbage. Aluminum Cans, Tin Cans and Foil . Remove tin can labels and recycle with scrap paper. Rinse all cans and foil clean.

. Remove tin can labels and recycle with scrap paper. Rinse all cans and foil clean. License Plates - Remove or invalidate the month and year tabs then bend the plates so they can't be used on another vehicle. Recycle old license plates, except those listed below, with bottles, cans and plastic containers or at one of our Recycling Centers . We cannot accept the following types of plates. Please return to a vehicle licensing office. For more info click here. Commercial vehicle plates (gross weight over 12,000 pounds) Personalized plates Baseball stadium plates Horseless carriage plates Amateur radio operator (HAM) plates Medal of Honor plates Pearl Harbor survivor plates Gold Star parent plates

Aerosol Cans (recycle with scrap metal - see below). Non-hazardous, aerosol cans ONLY. Aerosol cans must be EMPTY - no pressure or contents left in can. Leave cap on (if you have it). Place in a cardboard box with any other scrap metal. Set next to recycling bins or recycling Toters ® for collection. Hazardous product aerosol cans or cans that are not empty must be taken to Disposal of Toxics for safe disposal. For more info call 360-380-4640 or visit www.whatcomcounty.us/833/Disposal-of-Toxics-Facility. Aerosol Can Bin Label

Non-hazardous, aerosol cans ONLY. Aerosol cans must be EMPTY - no pressure or contents left in can. Leave cap on (if you have it). Place in a cardboard box with any other scrap metal. Set next to recycling bins or recycling Toters for collection. Hazardous product aerosol cans or cans that are not empty must be taken to Disposal of Toxics for safe disposal. For more info call 360-380-4640 or visit www.whatcomcounty.us/833/Disposal-of-Toxics-Facility. Plastic Containers Bottles, Jugs, Caps & Rings. Cups, Jars, Tubs Pails, Buckets & Lids (max. bucket size - 3 gal. with metal handles removed) All colors and numbers. Labels OK. Put caps/lids back on all plastic bottles before recycling. Rinse CLEAN and recycle loose or nested together. FLATTEN bottles - especially bottles half-gallon size or larger.

Recycle plastic containers used for these types of products:

Beverages, dairy products, deli foods, sauces/condiments, cooking oils, soaps, detergents, cleaners (kitchen, laundry & garage), snack foods, frozen foods, storage/freezer-type containers, hair/body care, health/medicine, single-serve cold beverage cups/lids, hot beverage lids, caps and rings. PLEASE FLATTEN BOTTLES - ESPECIALLY HALF-GALLON SIZE OR LARGER Flattening bottles saves room in your recycling bin and on our recycling truck - allowing us to collect more recyclables and make fewer trips to the recycling center. This conserves fuel, saves time and money and reduces our impact on the environment. Thank you for your cooperation. No: Styrofoam™, (peanuts, packaging blocks, sheets, food containers, etc.), foam rubber

Window/plate glass, drinking glasses/mugs, pitchers, windshields, light bulbs, mirrors, fluorescent tubes, ceramics, pottery, Pyrex ® and other baking dishware or insulation

and other baking dishware or insulation Oil filters and air filters

Plastic pumps, tableware, utensils, toys

Plastic containers that held potentially hazardous products such as motor oil, antifreeze, paints, pesticides, etc.

Plastic bags Styrofoam™: Click here or inquire with local postal, mailing and shipping outlets for reuse options. To recycle larger quantities or other materials please contact us ssc@ssc-inc.com. NOTE: Buckets larger than 3-gal, as well as plant pots, trays, and other miscellaneous rigid plastics stamped with a resin number 1-7 inside a chasing arrows logo can be recycled at our downtown Drop Box Facility & Recycling Station, 1001 Roeder Avenue, M-F, 8am-5pm. Fee charged: $5/30-gallon bag of mixed plastics. Generate larger amounts of plastics? Call 360-734-3490 or contact us to arrange for commercial pick-up. Why do materials need to be clean for recycling? Additional Plastics Additional Plastics (pots, trays, bags, tarps and more) accepted for DROP-OFF RECYCLING ONLY at Bellingham Drop Box Facility & Recycling Center. Click here for more info. Plastic Film Bag Flyer



Recycle these materials by placing them neatly next to recycling bins. Vehicle Batteries (Lead Acid) - Car, truck, motorcycle and boat batteries. Store in a box. No cracked, leaking, household or rechargeable batteries accepted. Leave battery caps on. Note: Battery should say "Pb" on it, which designates it as Lead Acid. Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Batteries - Used in security, emergency, backup, mobile medical devices, etc. Store in a box. No cracked, leaking, household or rechargeable batteries accepted. Note: Battery should say "Pb" on it, which designates it as Lead Acid. Note:

Rechargeable Batteries - Ni-Cad, NiMh, Lithium and those used for cell phones, cameras, hearing aids, rechargeable tools, etc. Please contact Disposal of Toxics for recycling or disposal options. Household Batteries - Alkaline and carbon-zinc batteries no longer contain hazardous materials and can be disposed of with your regular household garbage. Scrap Metal - Steel, copper, aluminum, brass and aerosol cans. Maximum 35 lbs. per pick up. Maximum length 24 inches. Store in a box. No plastic pipe. Cords, Wiring, and Holiday Lights - Please coil/bundle and tie with string, rubber band or twist tie and place next to recycling bins for pick-up. Aerosol Cans - Non-hazardous, aerosol cans ONLY. Aerosol cans must be EMPTY - no pressure or contents left in can. Leave cap on (if you have it). Place in a cardboard box with any other scrap metal. Set next to recycling bins or recycling Toters® for collection. Hazardous product aerosol cans or cans that are not empty must be taken to Disposal of Toxics for safe disposal. For more info call 360-380-4640 or visit www.whatcomcounty.us/833/Disposal-of-Toxics-Facility. Aerosol Can Bin Tag Used Motor Oil - Used motor oil ONLY. Do not mix with anything else. Store in a one gallon (or smaller), sealed, non-breakable container. Clean plastic milk or water jugs work great. Do not use bleach, detergent, or antifreeze containers. Screw on threaded lids tightly. Seal "pop top" style lids with duct tape. Mark container "Oil." Set next to recycling bins (residential) or recycling Toters® (multi-family) for collection. Commercial customers should contact us for options. For questions, or to recycle larger quantities, contact us at 360-734-3490 or ssc@ssc-inc.com. Oil & Water Don't Mix - Separating Oil from Water Let the oil / water mix stand. The oil will float to the top. Pour off oil into an approved container (see above). Seal and label as instructed above. Soak up any contaminated water and dispose of in the garbage Used motor oil is also accepted for recycling at our Cedarville and Birch Bay Drop Box Facility & Recycling Centers. For hours and directions, click here. Used Motor Oil Flyer Cardboard Recycling Corrugated cardboard and brown paper bags. Remove packing materials. Flatten and bundle. One bundle per pickup. Max. size 24"x48"x6". No Styrofoam™, plastic packing or wax-coated boxes. Back to top Special pick-ups available for larger boxes or larger volumes (ie. after moving). Please contact us at ssc@ssc-inc.com or (360) 734-3490.

Where Does It All Go? All materials collected in the FoodPlus! Recycling program are composted at Green Earth Technologies (GET) in Lynden. Composting is a natural process that break down organic materials and turns them into rich soil amendment. Compost from GET is available for sale in Whatcom County. Back to top

Understanding Your Bill Sanitary Service Company, Inc. (SSC) provides you with garbage and recycling collection service. You pay us to collect these materials. On your bill, you will see: Actual cost of collecting your garbage

Actual cost of collecting your recyclables

The value (less any processing charges) of recyclables sold (shown as a commodity credit or commodity debit) Recyclables are sold and the value we receive (if any) from the sale of these materials is applied to your collection bill in the form of a commodity credit or debit. The commodity credit or commodity debit that appears on your bill reflects market conditions of the previous six months. Market prices for recyclables go up and down just like prices for other commodities, such as lumber and gasoline. Following a period of high (or positive) market values, your commodity credit will increase, but still may be a debit depending on market conditions. Following a year of low (or negative) market values, your commodity credit will decrease and may become a debit. The sale of these recyclables helps lower your overall bill. In years when we pay to have your recyclables processed, please remember it is still less expensive than disposing of these materials as garbage. We encourage you to continue recycling! The commodity credit or commodity debit is reviewed and adjusted by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC). The UTC reviews and approves our rates (except for residents in the cities of Bellingham and Ferndale) to ensure you are paying a fair price for the service you receive and fair value for your recyclables. Residential Recycling Commodity Credit/Commodity Debit History 1996 Commodity Credit $0.26/month 1997 Commodity Debit $0.83/month 1998 Commodity Debit $0.46/month 1999 Commodity Debit $0.62/month 2000 Commodity Credit $0.26/month 2001 Commodity Credit $0.27/month 2002 Commodity Debit $0.62/month 2003 Commodity Debit $0.24/month 2004 Commodity Debit $0.22/month 2005 Commodity Debit $0.16/month 2006 Commodity Debit $0.21/month 2007 Commodity Debit $0.32/month 2008 Commodity Debit $0.38/month 2009 Commodity Debit $0.15/month 2010 Commodity Debit $0.58/month 2011 Commodity Credit $0.24/month 2012 Commodity Credit $0.51/month 2013 Commodity Debit $0.12/month 2014 Commodity Debit $0.47/month 2015 Commodity Debit $0.16/month 2016 Commodity Debit $0.47/month 2017 Commodity Debit $0.42/month 2018 Commodity Debit $0.89/month 2019 Commodity Debit $1.99/month January 1, 2020 Commodity Debit $1.69/month July 1, 2020 Commodity Debit $2.36/month You can help keep your bill low by recycling as much as possible and buying products made from recycled materials. Increasing demand for products made from recycled materials helps strengthen recycling markets. By recycling, you also reduce the amount of garbage you generate and help conserve valuable resources. Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) Garbage & Recycling Consumer Information Consumer Guide for Residential Garbage and Recycling Back to top

Plastic Recycling Rigid (hard) and Film (soft) Plastics are accepted for Drop Off Recycling at our Bellingham Recycling Center & Transfer Station. Available to home and business customers. Small fee charged. Click here for more info. DROP-OFF RECYCLING ONLY - Bellingham Recycle Center & Transfer Station - 1001 Roeder Avenue (Corner F&Roeder). For hours and directions, click here. Rate: Small recycling fee charged for 30-gal or equivalent. Click here for more info on other materials accepted for drop-off or contact us with questions. For other recycling and reuse options, click here. Commercial Customers: Once a month curbside recycling collection is available. Variety of dumpster sizes available. Contact us for rates and additional info. Contractors: See Construction Recycling for info about recycling plastics and other construction related materials together. Film Plastics Other Bags Film/Wrap Hangers Twine Grocery

Reusable (Woven)

Produce, Bulk, Bakery

Newspaper

Dry Cleaner

Soil, Bark, Compost

Insulation

Lumber Wrap

Silage Sacks Cling Wrap ("Saran")

Shrink Wrap

Magazine/Mail Covers

Bubble Wrap

Inflatable Packaging

Poly Sheeting

Visqueen

Painter's Drop Sheets

Pallet Wrap

Tarps (please remove grommets) Hangers (No metal parts, please bag separately) Twine (please bag separately) All types and colors accepted. Material must be clean. Stuff into plastic sack to condense and save money. No Styrofoam or thin foam sheets. Rigid Plastics Plant/Garden Pots

Plant/Garden Trays

"Blister" Packaging (Toys, Electronics, Toiletries, Batteries, Etc.)

Buckets (please remove metal handles)

Pipe (HDPE #2 and PVC #3) All colors, numbers, and sizes accepted. Material must be clean. Labels OK. Remove lids and recycle loose or stuff inside containers. Stack and nest if possible to consolidate. Local grocery stores often offer plastic bag recycling bins. Bags must be clean and dry. Free. Back to top

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) SSC does not accept any kind of hazardous, toxic, radioactive or dangerous waste(s), ammunition, explosives, dead animals, CFL/Fluorescent lights, old gasoline, asbestos, pesticides, liquid paint, chemicals, or hot ashes. Note: Hot ashes are a fire hazard and should never be placed in a Toter® or can. Set in a metal can outside and away from buildings, structures, or anything that can ignite. Let cool completely. Place COLD ashes in a bag and dispose of in your garbage. To dispose of ammunition or explosives (old boat flares, fireworks, etc.), contact the Washington State Patrol (Bellingham office) at 360-676-2007 or the Bellingham Police Department at 360-778-8800. Household hazardous wastes should not be thrown in the garbage. Click the links below for recycling/disposal options. Examples of some types of common household hazardous waste include: Paints

Old or dirty gasoline

Oil

Antifreeze

Lighting (CFL, fluorescent tubes, etc.)

Solvents

Asbestos (siding, shingles, floor adhesive, etc)

Pesticides/herbicides/other liquid chemicals Disposal and/or recycling options for many other products can be found here. To dispose of household hazardous wastes, please contact the Disposal of Toxics program at (360) 380-4640. Disposal of Toxics accepts a variety of household hazardous wastes from Whatcom County residents. Back to top