Frequently Asked Questions

SSC expanded the service area of its popular FoodPlus! Recycling program in May 2007. 

In addition to all SSC customers in the cities of Bellingham and Ferndale, and customers in Birch Bay and Semiahmoo, FoodPlus! Recycling is now available to a majority of SSC customers in the unincorporated areas of Whatcom County. 

“We are pleased with the program’s success and glad we can expand our service area to make the program available to more of our customers,” said SSC President Paul Razore.  “This current expansion now makes service available to our customers along North Shore Drive, in Sudden Valley and around Lake Samish,” Razore said.

New service area boundaries – beginning in the north county include:  Semiahmoo to I-5 then south to Birch Bay-Lynden Road, east to Hannegan Road and south to Hemmi Road, east to Fazon Road and south to Cedarville Road, east to Mt. Baker Highway, then south to the Whatcom-Skagit County line and out to Bellingham Bay, then north to Cagey Road on Lummi Peninsula (including Sandy Point) and finishing back at Semiahmoo.

Recycling and Garbage Collection Questions

Do you pick-up on holidays?

We work all holidays. If your collection day falls on a holiday please set out your garbage and recycling the night before, or by no later than 6:30 AM on your collection day. Collection can happen a bit earlier that usual on holidays due to lighter traffic so make sure to have out on time.

If windy, please place recycling bins singly on ground rather than stacking and weight down paper bins with a rock or brick to prevent wind-blown litter. To secure toters during windy weather please place a rock or brick on toter lid to prevent tipping.

For more information, see the Holiday Collection section of the FAQ page. 

Please set out recycling bins or toters and garbage cans or toters in a visible location the night before your regular collection day, or by no later than 6:30AM on your collection day. As our area grows, collection times in your neighborhood may change. To help us keep program costs low, please set out recycle bins only when full.

On windy days, please place recycling bins singly on the ground rather than stacking.  Use a rock or brick to weight down paper bins and prevent wind-blown litter.  For cans and toters, please place a rock or brick on top of lid to prevent tipping.  Please bag ALL GARBAGE, especially Styrofoam Peanuts! 

Please check this website or call our offices for any schedule changes (360) 734-3490.

For residential customers, we will collect your garbage and recyclables on the next business day (weather and road conditions permitting). If we cannot get back on the next business day, then your garbage and recyclables (including any material missed) will be collected on the next regularly scheduled pick-up day for your neighborhood. This applies to every-other-week and monthly customers too.  If garbage and recyclables are collected on the next pick-up, no credit will be issued.

For commercial customers, if we cannot collect your garbage and recyclables on your regularly scheduled pick-up day, we will try the next business day (weather and road conditions permitting).

If we cannot get back on the next business day, then we will try again the next business day and continue trying each new business day until your garbage and recyclables are collected. If garbage and recyclables are collected on the next pick-up, no credit will be issued.

If your Toter(s) or recycling bins are buried or covered in snow, it would help our crews a great deal if you could dig out or uncover them for pick-up.

Yes, just call our office at (360) 734-3490 to authorize drop-off at either the Cedarville, Birch Bay, or Bellingham Transfer Station locations.

Please call our office at (360) 734-3490 to arrange for a special pick-up. Reasonable amounts of additional recyclables will be collected at no extra charge. Additional garbage collected will result in additional charges. To arrange service for home-based businesses call us at (360) 734-3490.

Please contact us at (360) 734-3490 to arrange for free special collection. Our regular curbside recycling trucks are not equipped to handle large amounts of cardboard. Regular, larger quantities of cardboard from home-based businesses require commercial recycling service. For scheduling, contact us at (360) 734-3490.

SSC does not accept hazardous, toxic, radioactive or dangerous wastes, dead animals or hot ashes (hot ashes should never be placed in your Toter or can).

Examples of some types of common household hazardous waste include: paint, fluorescent lighting, including compact fluorescent bulbs, old gasoline, solvents, antifreeze, asbestos (siding, shingles, floor adhesive, etc), pesticides/herbicides/other liquid chemicals.

To dispose of these types of wastes, please contact the Disposal of Toxics program at (360) 380-4640. The Disposal of Toxics program accepts a variety of household hazardous wastes from Whatcom County residents. Chemical wastes from Whatcom County businesses are also accepted with prior approval.

Fluorescent lighting, compact fluorescent bulbs and high intensity discharge lamps (HID) are no longer being accepted for disposal in the trash due to their mercury content. For your safety do not break tubes or bulbs. Please contact the Disposal of Toxics (DoT) program at (360) 380-4640 for recycling options.

Small quantities of household liquids such as cooking oils and beauty products are acceptable. We are unable to collect hazardous liquids such as pesticides, paints, thinners, solvents, fuels or cooking oils from businesses. Please contact the Disposal of Toxics at (360) 380-4640 for safe disposal options, or call the Recycling Hotline at (360) 676-5723 about items that are appropriate for throwing away in the garbage. Commercial establishments can contact the following rendering services for disposal of cooking oils - Darling International (800) 524-2401 or J&S Rendering (800) 562-5058

Collection of burn barrels are classified as special pick-ups. We can only accept empty barrels (no ashes). For burn barrels with material in them please contact the Northwest Clean Air Agency for instructions (800) 622-4627.

In order to ensure our customers receive the correct collection calendar, we have opted to make our calendars available to customers by phone, fax, regular mail, email or in person at our office.

There are over 50 service and collection options available to our customers. Each service has a different collection schedule, including every other week, monthly and weekly service levels. There are different calendars for every day of the week and different calendars for the different weeks in a month that we serve an area. The calendar you need may not be the same calendar your neighbor needs.

To request a calendar you can do one of the following:

Email us at ssc@ssc-inc.com (please use the request form on our homepage), or phone us at (360) 734-3490 and we will send you the correct calendar.

Please help prevent wind-blown litter!  Consider these tips for securing your garbage toter, garbage cans, Food Plus! Recycling toter and/or curbside recycling bins for collection on windy days.  Thank you for helping us keep our community clean!

Recycling Collection Tips for Windy Days
1) If possible, avoid putting bins out on very windy days.  If they are less than half-full, consider waiting for the next pick-up.

If you put them out for collection and it is a windy day, check out these tips for securing your bins and their contents:

1) Place bins singly on the ground – DO NOT stack.  Please place several feet away from toter for easier collection.

2) Place a rock or brick on top of newspaper in newspaper bin.

3) Place a rock or brick on top of mixed paper in mixed paper bin OR place mixed paper in a paper bag, then lay the bag on its side in the mixed paper bin.  If really windy, place a brick or rock on top of the paper bag.

4) Place bottle/can bin between the two paper bins, glass on top if possible.

Food Plus! Recycling Collection Tips for Windy Days

Place a rock or brick on top of toter lid.  We prefer customers not use bungee cords to secure lids (the recoiling hooks are a hazard to drivers/collectors). 

Garbage Collection Tips for Windy Days

Place a rock or brick on top of toter lid.  We prefer customers not use bungee cords to secure lids (the recoiling hooks are a hazard to drivers/collectors). 

Consider marking your address on your bins and toter(s).  This can help if you have to locate your toter or recycling bins should they get blown away. 

Finally, please bag ALL GARBAGE, especially Styrofoam Peanuts.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping keep our community clean.

Recycling and Garbage Service Questions

What if I lose my recycling bins or they are stolen?

Recycling bins remain the property of Sanitary Service Company, Inc. Mark your address on your bins. A replacement fee will be charged for lost or stolen recycle bins. The customer is responsible for any theft, loss or damage in excess of normal use. Please do not take recycling bins or garbage toters with you if you move.

For help in setting up service please contact Rodd Pemble, Account Services Manager at rodd@ssc-inc.com or (360) 734-3490. He will make sure you get exactly the service you need at the lowest cost. Chances are he will be able to identify waste reduction and recycling savings you didn't know were possible!

While state law requires adequate space be provided at all new commercial establishments for storage and access to garbage and recycling containers, needs vary according to your business and location. Our Accounts Services Manager, Rodd Pemble can help design an appropriate enclosure, either with you or directly with your architect. For help in setting up service please contact Rodd Pemble, Account Services Manager at rodd@ssc-inc.com or (360) 734-3490.

We rent bright, clean storage units with double-locking doors at both ends, ready for delivery to your site. Ventilated, with ports for electrical or phone lines, they make safe, secure storage a reality anywhere, for just a few dollars a day. Our storage containers are also great for extra retail inventory and storing household items during renovations, etc. For help in setting up service please contact Rodd Pemble, Account Services Manager at rodd@ssc-inc.com or (360) 734-3490.

Whether you are planning an outdoor wedding reception or weekend campout, concert or conference, we can help you plan for portable restrooms, garbage and recycling services that meet your needs. From backyard celebrations to the annual Ski-To-Sea Festival, SSC has the experience to make sure your event runs smoothly. For help in setting up service please contact Rodd Pemble, Account Services Manager at rodd@ssc-inc.com or (360) 734-3490.

Whether at job sites, community events, or while your bathroom is torn up at home, we offer shiny clean standard and wheelchair-accessible portable restrooms, including regular cleaning and toilet tissue. Based on your expected usage, we can help you with the appropriate service. Generally, if the public is invited to your event, you must have at least one wheelchair-accessible restroom to meet ADA guidelines. We provide weekly (or more often) service or temporary service over weekends, holidays, etc. We also offer in-restroom handwash, as well as larger stand alone washstands complete with water, soap and paper towels for up to 500 uses. For help in setting up service please contact Rodd Pemble, Account Services Manager at rodd@ssc-inc.com or (360) 734-3490.

Preparing Materials For Disposal Or Recycling

How should I prepare used motor oil for recycling?

We accept used motor oil only for recycling. Do not mix with anything else, including other fuels, antifreeze, brake fluid, paint, paint thinners, cooking oils, solvents, debris or water. Store in a one gallon (or smaller) non-breakable container. Clean plastic milk jugs and pop bottles work great. Do not store in old bleach, detergent or antifreeze bottles. Please screw on threaded lids tightly and seal "pop top" style lids securely with duct tape. Mark container "Oil." For quantities over one (1) gallon, please contact the Recycling Hotline at (360) 676-5723.

Commercial recycling service is available for recycling land-clearing debris, branches and other woody vegetation.  We also offer an all-in-one-box construction recycling service multiple materials including pallets and construction wood waste including plywood, lumber, particle board, OSB and engineered wood products. Please remove banding. Fasteners are OK. We cannot recycle painted or treated wood of any kind. You pay for container rental and hauling. If the material has a positive value, you receive a credit applied to your account. If the material has a negative value, you are charged accordingly for the materials. Even if there is a charge, in almost all cases, costs to recycle the material are still less than disposal costs. For help in setting up service please contact Rodd Pemble, Account Services Manager at rodd@ssc-inc.com or (360) 734-3490.

Commercial container recycling service is available for recycling all types of scrap metal including steel, aluminum, brass and copper and items like wire (plastic-coated or not). Small quantities can be recycled through our residential curbside service, including wire (plastic-coated or not) and wire hangers. For larger amounts, contact us at (360) 734-3490 about a special container for your location. You pay for container rental and hauling. If the material has a positive value, you receive a credit applied to your account. If the material has a negative value, you are charged accordingly for the materials. Even if there is a charge, in almost all cases, costs to recycle are still less than disposal costs. For help in setting up service please contact Rodd Pemble, Account Services Manager at rodd@ssc-inc.com or (360) 734-3490.

Commercial recycling service is available for recycling most types of rigid and film plastics, including molded parts, bags, lumber wrap, pallet wrap and pipe. You pay for container rental and hauling. If the material has a positive value, you receive a credit applied to your account. If the material has a negative value, you are charged accordingly for the materials. Even if there is a charge, in almost all cases, costs to recycle are still less than disposal costs. For help in setting up service please contact Rodd Pemble, Account Services Manager at rodd@ssc-inc.com or (360) 734-3490.

We accept unbroken vehicle or boat batteries for recycling beside your recycling bins or recycling Toters and at our transfer stations. For cracked or damaged batteries, or smaller batteries such as flashlight, hearing aid, camera, rechargeables, lithium, etc. call the Recycling Hotline at (360) 676-5723.

General purpose alkaline batteries can be thrown away with your regular garbage. 

Scrap metal (ferrous and non-ferrous), including copper, brass, aluminum, steel and iron up to 24" long and 35 pounds in weight can be placed next to your curbside recycling bins on collection day.  Types of items might include sheet metal, metal tools, hardware, wire (plastic-coated or not) and wire hangers.

Hay Bale Covers
Shake off any dirt.  Fold in bundles of about 25 pounds or less as densely as possible.  Tie with a strip of plastic cut from the bale cover itself (please, don't mix plastics).
Keep plastic dry.

Plastic Baling Twine
Shake to remove loose dirt and straw.  Pack loosely in a large plastic bag.  Store in a dry location.

The following plastic containers can be recycled in our residential and commercial CURBSIDE recycling programs:

Bottles & Jugs (no caps)

Cups, Jars, Tubs, Pails, Buckets & Lids

(max. bucket size for curbside pick-up is 1 gal. with metal handles removed)

All colors and numbers. Labels OK.

Remove lids. Rinse lids and containers CLEAN and recycle loose or nested together. FLATTEN bottles.

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 containers, hair/body care, health/medicine, single-serve cold beverage cups/lids and hot beverage lids.

NO plastic caps, rings, pumps, hinged/clamshell containers, Styrofoam, bags, wrap, tableware/utensils, toys, foam rubber, insulation or any plastic containers that held potentially hazardous materials.

Please contact Rodd Pemble, SSC Recycling Manager at (360) 734-3490 about opportunities for recycling larger quantities or other types of plastics such as buckets larger than 1 gallon, pipe, film plastics, agricultural plastics and plant pots/planters/trays, hinged plastics and blister-type plastic packaging.

Accepted materials include grass clippings, garden trimmings, weeds, branches and leaves.

Larger branches or other yard debris are accepted in bundles next to your FoodPlus! Toter. Please see the question about preparing yard debris bundles in the FoodPlus! FAQ section

Yard debris is accepted for recycling as part of the FoodPlus! recycling service - an all-in-one Toter recycling service for food scraps, food-soiled papers and yard debris.

Larger containers for recycling land-clearing debris and branches are also available. 

No sod, rocks, bricks, concrete, tires, garden hose, lumber, metal or general trash are accepted in this program.

Our all-in-one-box construction recycling service is offered for recycling the following materials:

Asphalt

Brick

Cardboard

Concrete (rebar OK)

Lumber Wrap (no paper backing)

Pallets

Paper (small quantities)

Plastic Film (bags, sheeting)

Plastic Pipe

Scrap Metal (includes wire - plain or plastic-coated)

Sheetrock (all unpainted scrap.  Fasteners OK). 

Wood Scrap (plywood, OSB, dimensional lumber and particle board). All unpainted and untreated wood. Fasteners OK.

Separate recycling boxes also available for recycling land-clearing debris and branches and polyurethane foam.

Each jobsite is also supplied with a small garbage container for any remaining solid waste materials that cannot be recycled.

Literature and decals are also available in Spanish and Russian.

All lids should be removed and rinsed CLEAN. Lids can be stuffed inside containers or placed loose in the recycling bin or recycling Toter.

All bottles and containers should be rinsed CLEAN.

Did we emphasize the word CLEAN – it is important if this program is to succeed! Thank you!

Bottles should be flattened if possible.

Containers should be nested (stacked) together as much as possible to conserve space.

Recycle with bottles and cans in the recycling bin or recycling Toter.

Customers with large quantities have several options:

1) Put out a little each recycling pick-up until your stockpile is gone.

2) Place extras in a cardboard box no bigger than a curbside recycling bin and set out with the rest of your recyclables. If one of your other curbside bins goes unused (like your newspaper bin for example), feel free to use that for bottle/can/plastic overflow.

3) Recycle at SSC Bellingham Transfer Station Drop-off Recycle Center locatd at 1001 Roeder Avenue (corner F & Roeder). Minimal fee.

4) Call us at (360) 734-3490 for other collection options.

Buckets larger than one gallon can be recycled at SSC's Bellingham Transfer Station Drop-off Recycling Center located at 1001 Roeder Avenue (Corner F & Roeder). Hours are Monday - Friday 8AM - 5PM.

Same prep instructions apply – rinse clean, lids off. Metal handles removed.

Minimal Fees apply.

Or call us at (360) 734-3490 for other recycling options.

Yes - through SSC's Bellingham Transfer Station Drop-off Recycling Center ONLY located at 1001 Roeder Avenue (corner F & Roeder).  Hours are Monday - Friday 8AM - 5PM.  Minimal fees apply.

These items are NOT accepted through our curbside recycling programs or at any of our other Transfer Stations. 

Please brush pots and trays clean. 

Call us (360) 734-3490 with questions.

Billing & Payment Questions

Charges for extras appeared on my bill. What are they for?

Charges for extras may be the result of any of the situations listed below. These charges appear on your account in the form of equivalent 30 gallon cans. Extra charges are for each can, per pick-up. Charges for extras may be the results of any of the following:

• Capacity
• Overweight container(s) due to heavy materials.
• Extra bag(s), box(es) or can(s) other than your regular garbage container.
• Special pick-up of containers (non-scheduled collection).

Recycling service costs less than garbage service for the same amount of material. A typical family might have 60 gallons of garbage every other week, along with 35-40 gallons of recyclables every other week. That costs ~$12-$14 per month depending on where you live in Whatcom County. If that same family put all their recyclables back in the garbage, they would need weekly garbage service costing ~$18.50-$24.50 per month. Annual savings equal $75-$125! A business that starts recycling cardboard, paper, or other materials can downsize their garbage container and save more than enough to cover the new recycling costs. Our free business consultation service has helped thousands of local businesses design simple, cost effective recycling programs that save money, energy, pollution, and resources.

Go here .

Please see this page for more information on our automatic payment plan.

SSC's Environmental Commitments

What is the EnviroStars program?

EnviroStars is a business certification program run by a 5 county Western Washington cooperative.  Businesses complete an application and audit and, if successful, are recognized with a 2, 3, 4 or 5 star rating for their efforts to prevent pollution and properly manage hazardous waste.  The program is offered in Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Pierce and Whatcom Counties. 

SSC was awarded the 5 star EnviroStars rating in 2006.  SSC is the first garbage and recycling hauler in Washington state to receive a 5 star rating.  We are also one of just seven businesses in Whatcom County awarded 5 stars.

The Envirostars certification process is detailed and includes completion of a multi-page questionaire and checklist, an on-site audit and follow-up.  To be awarded a 5-star rating, SSC had to demonstrate itself as a "proactive leader in our community, committed to preventing waste and spreading an ethic of environmental responsibility."  

As part of the certification process, EnviroStars applicants must list several goals for the coming year. These are SSC's goals for 2007:

To post our EnviroStars info in the shop and discuss at company safety meetings.

To compare notes and volumes on wastes generated from year to year (starting back in 2000) and look for ways to continue reducing amount generated.

To coordinate with other local jurisdictions (like Whatcom County and the Port of Bellingham) to educate customers on reducing the use of hazardous materials and proper handling and disposal or recycling.

To earn a 5-star rating, we had to show proficiency in a number of areas in our business including: Cleaning, Purchasing/Inventory, Employee Involvement, Operations, Management/Accounting, Marketing/Promotion and Leadership. 

In general, we are committed to properly treat, store, document and either recycle or dispose of any hazardous wastes generated in our daily operations.  

Here are some highlights of programs or initiatives that helped us become a 5-star Envirostar:

Waste Prevention/Reduction

Spill/Leak Prevention: We strive to maintain all company vehicles for best performance and to reduce spills and leaks and emissions.  

Spill Management: We maintain a spill response plan and spill material kits on-site.  In addition, we have trained two spill response drivers and have two spill response vehicles.  Spill kits are installed on all of our trucks.     

A secondary containment area for drums of hazardous waste is located in our shop.

We keep a detailed product inventory to track materials efficiently and purchase less-toxic materials whenever possible.

We recently completed a review of toxic products used in our shop and researched less toxic alternatives.  As a result, we switched twelve products to less toxic (and in some cases less costly) alternatives.  

Recycling/Use of Recycled Products

There are a number of products we recycle internally including:

Antifreeze, Batteries, CFC's (refirgerant), Fuel, Oil/Oil Filters, Scrap Metal, Tires, Parts Washer Solvent, Radiators, Condensors, Core Parts, Aluminum, Scrap Paper, Window Washer Fluid and common materials from our office like scrap paper, cardboard, bottles and cans.      

These materials are in addition to the long list of items we accept from commercial and residential customers including: papers, glass and plastic bottles, cans, metal, oil, batteries, food scraps, yard waste and construction materials including sheetrock, concrete, asphalt, wood wastes, plastic pipe/film and more. 

Our oil filter crusher is a new purchase that now allows us to completely drain oil filters and crush the remaining case and recycle it as scrap metal.  We expect to recycle about 500 filters in 2007.  The approximately 750 gallons of drained oil is recycled as used oil.

We use re-refined motor oil and biodiesel fuel in our fleet of 60 trucks.  Our use of biodiesel allowed Yorkston Oil to be able to offer biodiesel at the pump for its regular customers.

Community Leadership

SSC sponsors and supports numerous community organizations and education efforts.  Efforts we support that tie in to our 5-star rating include being a proud business supporter of Sustainable Connections. We are a sponsor of their Green Building Program and a corporate participant in the Green Power (wind) initiative.

In addition, we have worked with local jurisdictions to install hazardous waste education decals on dumpsters in target areas.  We also help educate the public on the proper disposal of fluorescent tubes.  Used motor oil is accepted for recycling through our residential curbside recycling program.          

For questions or more information about our environmental efforts or safety practices, please contact Recycling Manager, Rodd Pemble at (360) 734-3490.

For information on learning how your business can become an Envirostar go to our LINKS page. 

Sanitary Service Company (SSC) is now “greening” 100% of its electricity usage through PSE’s Green Power program.  SSC’s switch in May 2007 makes them the largest private businesses in Whatcom County to use 100% Green Power. 

“We were at 46% Green Power when we originally signed up, but made the decision to go 100% Green Power because we wanted to do more to contribute to supporting renewable energy options for our region and help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels,” said SSC President Paul Razore.  “We hope our move will encourage other large Whatcom County businesses to join us as a Green Power Program Business Partner,” Razore said.

PSE’s Green Power Program, ranked as one of the top 10 Green Power programs in the U.S, provides SSC with just over 200,000 kilowatt hours annually of domestically-produced, alternative energy.  The city of Bellingham was also recently recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency as the first Green Power Community in Washington – one of only seven in the nation.  Green Power is electricity generated from renewable, non-polluting resources such as wind or solar power. 

Electronic Recycling Questions

What types of electronic items are accepted?

SSC accepts a wide range of electronic products from computers and copiers to TV's and VCR/DVD players. Check our Recycling pages on this website for detailed lists of what is accepted and associated fees. All items collected are recycled or reused by Genesis Recycling Ltd., of Aldergrove, BC.