Waste collection rates will increase in the new year.
Fees per cart will increase from $18.25 per month to $20.73 per month effective January 1, 2026. Additional carts will increase to $12.49 per month, up from $11 per month currently.
Commissioners approved a five year renewal of its contract with Ryland Environmental for waste pick up services. Despite the increase, commissioners did secure a slightly better rate for residents and the refund of the $2 paper statement fee.
The renewal was unanimously approved at the commission’s regular monthly meeting last Tuesday night.
Richard Lee, operations manager for Ryland Environmental, thanked commissioners for allowing the company to serve pierce County residents.
He told commissioners that Ryland had originally requested a 5.3 percent increase to keep up with the consumer price index, but agreed to back off to a 3 percent increase. If the original 5.3 percent increase had been approved, the monthly rates would have increased to $21.19 per month.
Lee also said the company would waive the $2 paper statement fee currently being collected and a credit will be applied to county residents who have already been charged the fee.
The statement fee is used to encourage customers to do automatic bank draft or online payments, which in turn, helps Ryland cut billing costs.
He estimates about half of Pierce County’s accounts, or about 2,800 customers, currently use online bill pay or automatic bank draft.
Commissioners commended Lee for his customer service efforts to local residents.
Lee said residents who need customer service can call Ryland at (912) 283-1336 (option 9) for assistance.
