Thurston County has partnered with Republic Services on a new operations, maintenance, transport and waste disposal contract that started on May 1. After a competitive and comprehensive bidding process, Thurston County Solid Waste awarded Republic Services the contract in April 2022, stated a news release. “We are excited to complete the transition to Republic Services,” stated Thurston County Solid Waste Manager Jeff Bickford in the release. “We are looking forward to the future and the increased level of service we’ll be able to provide the public.”
With the transition to Republic Services, customers at the Waste and Recovery Center (WARC) in Lacey, and the drop-box sites in Rainier and Rochester will see new, larger containers in the recycling area at all locations, along with mixed recycling containers at all three locations instead of separate containers for specific items. Republic Services staff on-site at the drop-box locations will also aid county disposal operations and assist customers in the recycling area.
The release stated the changes will further the county’s efforts to provide safe, accessible and functional solid waste facilities for the community and will support the county’s environmental health goals. “Our team is feeling very positive about the transition and is looking forward to beginning operations,” Steve Gilmore, the team lead and municipal relationship manager for Republic Services, stated in the May 1 release. “To be finally at the start date is exhilarating.”