Thurston County OKs 10-year contract for better, cheaper solid waste service
A new company will provide improved solid waste services in Thurston County for 10 years starting in 2023, saving the county over $1 million annually.
Regional Disposal Company, which does business as Republic Services, will start providing operations, maintenance, transport and disposal services on May 1, 2023, according to the new contract.
During a Tuesday meeting, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the contract. The decision brought an end to a multi-year competitive selection process aimed at addressing growing garbage and recycling needs in the county, according to a county news release.
Commission Chair Carolina Mejia called the contract the culmination of a “long and arduous process” during the meeting. In a statement, she thanked those involved.
“This contract with Republic Services represents a significant investment for our community. I would like to thank the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for their participation, and Public Works staff for ensuring transparency in the selection process,” Mejia said.
Solid Waste Manager Jeff Bickford said the contract will cost the county about $18 million annually but will save $1 million a year compared to current arrangements.
Though the county will save money, the public won’t be directly impacted.
The contract does not affect curbside service for households or businesses. In most of Thurston County, curbside pickup of garbage and recycling is provided by an independent waste hauler; in Olympia, the service is provided by the city.
The fees charged to these curbside waste haulers when they bring their garbage trucks to county facilities for unloading is not expected to increase, the county says.
But people and companies who drop garbage off at the county’s facilities will not see a price decrease either. The county says the cost savings will limit future increases, though.
Why is the new contract needed?
The county currently operates and staffs three solid waste disposal facilities, the Waste and Recover Center in Lacey and drop-box locations in Rainier and Rochester.
However, recycling and municipal solid waste operations, maintenance, transport and disposal services have been handled through contractual agreements with multiple vendors.
Those contracts have been in place for over 20 years but are failing to meet the county’s needs, Bickford said during the meeting.
“The current contracts, set to expire in 2023, have been in place for more than 20 years, are complex to manage, and do not adequately address operational needs or allow for growth or changes in service delivery,” Bickford said.
The new contract covers operation and maintenance at the county’s three solid waste facilities. Republic Services also will process recycling and handle compostable organics collected at the facilities.
Additionally, the contract covers rail transport and disposal of garbage at the Roosevelt Regional Landfill in Eastern Washington. The landfill produces energy for over 20,000 homes each year by converting methane gas to electricity.
“Our new contract increases service levels for our customers and reduces operational costs,” Public Works Director Jennifer Walker said in a statement. “In addition, the contract aligns with the county’s sustainability goals and environmental values.”
How was the contract chosen?
The county started a lengthy request for proposals process in 2018 and released the final RFP in January 2021. By April 8, 2021, the county received three responsive proposals that were later reviewed by an evaluation committee.
The committee scored the proposals based on their ability to meet the county’s needs and provide the best value. They also sought to recommend a proposal that allowed for future grow while still meeting the county’s sustainability initiatives.
Republic Services scored the highest and the county held contract negotiations from July to November. Bickford said a March 22 public hearing drew 10 oral and four written comments, all of which were in support of the new contract.
Commissioner Gary Edwards said he scrutinized the contract thoroughly as the county reviewed it.
“I was probably the harshest critic in reviewing this particular contract, and I put a fair amount of time into it,” Edwards said. “I want to compliment everyone involved because I think taxpayers have gotten a real good deal out this whole thing.”
This story was originally published April 6, 2022 at 10:31 AM.
