Pierce County does NOT regulate garbage collection.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission(WUTC) regulates garbage collection for:

• Anderson Island
• Browns Point (portion in Pierce County)
• Graham
• Key Peninsula
• Parkland
• Purdy
• Spanaway
• Wilkeson

Background:

The State of Washington has not granted County government or residents of unincorporated areas with the right to choose who provides garbage service.

Why?

• This regulatory system has been in place since the early 1960s, and was initially developed as a way to ensure that all households in Washington State had access to garbage service.
• Prior to this system, many parts of the state lacked regular garbage service collection.

Garbage company 'monopolies':

In the 1960s, the WUTC issued 'Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity' to companies providing garbage collection under an earlier form of regulation.

• These certificates are viewed by the Courts as a property right, and have value and can be bought and sold.
• Only those companies with certificates are legally allowed to collected garbage.
• There are very few areas of the state in which one company holds certificates in the same geographic area. Many people have referred to this as 'garbage hauler monopolies.'

Cities and towns may select any of the following options for garbage collection:

• Collect garbage themselves
• Contract for service
• Rely on the WUTC (Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission) to regulate their garbage (similar to unincorporated areas)

If you are in Zip Code 98371:

• Your hauler is Murrey's Disposal

To resolve issues with garbage, recycling or yardwaste service:

• Contact either Murrey's Disposal or Puyallup City Hall