Pierce County's Solid Waste system includes Pierce County, but does not include the City of Tacoma, Town of Ruston or Military Bases.
- Why can't I choose my garbage hauler?
- Who regulates garbage service?
The Pierce County Solid Waste Division does not regulate the collection of garbage. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) regulates residential and non-residential garbage collection in unincorporated areas. The State has not granted neither County governments nor the residents of unincorporated areas with the right to choose who provides garbage service.
It is different in cities, which are permitted by State Law to choose their form of waste collection regulation. Cities can collect garbage themselves, contract for service, or rely upon the WUTC to regulate the state franchise holder as if they were an unincorporated area.
This regulatory system has been in place since the early 1960s, and was initially developed as a way to ensure that all household in Washington State had access to garbage service. Prior to this system, many parts of the state lacked regular garbage service collection.
In the 1960s, the WUTC issued 'Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity' to companies which were providing garbage collection services under an earlier form of regulation. These certificates are viewed by the Courts as a property right,and have value and can be bought and sold. Only those companies with certificates are legally allowed to collect garbage, and it is only in a very few areas of the State in which more than one company holds certificates in the same geographic area.
