Seattle Municipal Code            
City of Seattle Legislative Information Service
Seattle Municipal Code
Information retrieved March 11, 2009 9:23 AM 
Title 21 - UTILITIES
Subtitle III Solid Waste
Chapter 21.36 - Solid Waste Collection
Subchapter  II Solid Waste Collection



SMC 21.36.082  Commercial recycling required.

A. Recycling Required. As of January 1, 2005, all commercial
establishments, including those entities authorized to haul their own
waste pursuant to SMC  21.36.030, shall separate paper, cardboard and
yard waste for recycling, and no paper, cardboard or yard waste shall
be deposited in garbage cans, detachable containers, drop boxes or in
the garbage disposal pit at the City's Recycling and Disposal Stations
after that date.

B. Enforcement.

1. As of March 31, 2004, the Director of Seattle Public Utilities
shall begin a program of educational outreach regarding these new
recycling requirements.

2. As of January 1, 2005, the Director of Seattle Public Utilities
shall establish a program of placing educational notice tags on
garbage cans, detachable containers and drop boxes with significant
amounts of paper, cardboard or yard waste.

3. As of January 1, 2006, civil infractions shall apply to any
violation of this section pursuant to SMC Section  21.36.922.

C. Exceptions.

1. Existing Structures: Existing commercial structures that do not
have adequate storage space for recyclable materials may be exempt
from all or portions of this ordinance if so determined by the
Director of Seattle Public Utilities. The Director of Seattle Public
Utilities, in cases where space constraints are determined to exist,
shall also evaluate the feasibility of shared recycling containers by
contiguous businesses or multifamily structures.

2. New or Expanded Structures: New structures permitted in commercial
zones that have demonstrated difficulty in meeting the solid waste and
recyclable materials storage space specifications required under SMC
Section 23.47.029 Subsections A, B, C and D may be exempt from all or
portions of this ordinance as determined by the Director of Seattle
Public Utilities.

(Ord. 121372  Section 1, 2003.)



Search for ordinances passed since the last SMC update (ordinances codified 
through October, 2008) that may amend Section 21.36.082 . 
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provide comprehensive information about related recent ordinances. See also 
Recent Legislation and Council Bills and Ordinances.

For research assistance, contact the Seattle City Clerk's Office at 
206-684-8344, or by e-mail at clerk@seattle.gov. For interpretation or 
explanation of a particular SMC section, please contact the relevant City 
department.