Pierce County Code Chapter 8.30 establishes a county solid waste handling system for all unincorporated areas, but residential garbage collection is provided by private haulers certificated by the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission (WUTC), not the county. Murrey's Disposal, LeMay, American Disposal and DM Disposal serve the unincorporated county.
PCC 8.30.020 establishes a system of solid waste handling for all unincorporated areas under RCW 36.58.040 and the county's Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan, expressly including "WUTC-regulated private collection." In practice, exclusive service areas are held by certificated haulers regulated by the WUTC under RCW 81.77 - the Waste Connections companies Murrey's Disposal, LeMay Pierce County Refuse, American Disposal and DM Disposal. The WUTC (not the county) sets collection rates through filed tariffs. Residents subscribe directly with the certificated hauler for their area; the county cannot pick a different company. Self-haul to county transfer stations and the LRI (Hidden Valley) landfill is an alternative for residents who don't subscribe.
Rates and service disputes are handled by the WUTC. Disposing of solid waste except at a facility designated by the county Director is unlawful under PCC 8.30.030, and a knowing violation of Chapter 8.30 is a misdemeanor under PCC 8.30.050.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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