A committee to examine the pros and cons of establishing a Point Roberts solid waste district was created during the Point Roberts Taxpayers Association regular monthly meeting on September 11. Local recycling advocate Heidi Baxter proposed the committee during a far-ranging discussion of trash issues.
Point Roberts is currently part of the solid waste collection district encompassing the entire county. In order to become a separate district, it would need to petition Whatcom County Council which would hold a public hearing after it approved a coordinated, comprehensive solid waste management plan from the proponents. The county would then need to ask the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) to investigate and to approve the application.
If the WUTC found that the existing garbage and refuse collection company or companies are unable or unwilling to provide the required service, it could issue a certificate of public need and necessity to any qualified person or corporation in accordance with RCW 81.77.04. Currently, both curbside trash collection and the operation of the solid waste transfer station are contracted to Cando Recycling and Disposal. Curbside collection is under the authority of the WUTC while the transfer station is under contract with the county.