On Aug. 12, the Snoqualmie City Council approved a seven-year contract with Waste Management for garbage, recycling and yard waste collection services.

While service options will remain the same, a 42% rate increase from the previous contract will go into effect on June 1, 2025, according to a city press release.

“Earlier this year, the city solicited solid waste bids from local providers Waste Management, Recology, Republic Services and Cedar Grove,” according to the city. “Waste Management was the lowest bidder.”

The approval comes several months after North Bend procured a new solid waste contract with Recology, resulting in a 101% price increase from their previous provider, effective April 1, 2024.

Snoqualmie residents paying $34.44 monthly for a 32-gallon garbage can will pay $48.58 after June 1.

Inflation, the cost of goods and services and the increased cost of living since 2012 all contributed to the increase, according to the city.

“This was an extremely challenging time to procure a new contract due to uncertainty over the potential of long-term collection costs to outpace the contract inflation escalator, instability in recycling markets, the decrease in the value of recyclable materials, future inflation uncertainty, and supply chain issues,” said Jeff Hamlin, the city’s parks and public works director.

The city will remind residents of the increase in the months prior to the contract start date.