CONTACT:    Thurston County Public Works, (360) 867-2491 or ThurstonSolidWaste@co.thurston.wa.us 

OLYMPIA – Thurston County is partnering with Republic Services on a new operations, maintenance, transport, and waste disposal contract beginning today, May 1, 2023. 

After a competitive and comprehensive bidding process, Thurston County Solid Waste awarded Republic Services the contract in April 2022. Thurston County Solid Waste Manager, Jeff Bickford said, “We are excited to complete the transition to Republic Services. We are looking forward to the future and the increased level of service we’ll be able to provide the public.” 

Steve Gilmore, team lead and municipal relationship manager for Republic Services, said, “Our team is feeling very positive about the transition and is looking forward to beginning operations. To be finally at the start date is exhilarating.”

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. 
• Mixed recycling containers at all three locations instead of separate containers for specific items.
• Republic Services staff on-site at the drop-box locations to aid county disposal operations and to assist customers in the recycling area.

These changes will further our efforts to provide safe, accessible, and functional solid waste facilities for the community and support the county’s environmental health goals.  

For questions, please contact Thurston County Solid Waste at 360-867-2491 or ThurstonSolidWaste@co.thurston.wa.us.

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