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University Place refuse contractor reports low Saturday turnout, pitches twice-year voucher for drop-off
Summary
UP Refuse told the City Council that monthly Saturday openings have averaged 2.9 customers since the renewed contract began in 2021; company representatives said free biweekly bulky‑waste pickups are full and proposed a year‑round voucher system allowing residents two drop‑offs per year to reduce traffic and wait times.
University Place City Council heard an update Aug. 4 from UP Refuse on contract changes that added bulky‑waste curbside pickup and monthly Saturday openings but produced lower‑than‑expected Saturday use. The city and the company discussed options, including a proposed voucher system allowing customers two year‑round drop‑off visits during regular business hours.
The discussion matters because the city’s current contract with UP Refuse includes the Saturday openings and the bulky‑waste program, and council members said changes could reduce traffic and improve service access for residents and businesses.
Michael Gruner, assistant general manager at UP Refuse, told the council, “we haven't opened the first Saturday of every month, since that contract was renewed... We've averaged about 2.9 customers per open Saturday.” He traced the low turnout partly to the reopening of the City of Tacoma transfer station shortly after the contract renewal, which gave residents an alternative drop‑off site.
Gruner described the bulky‑waste program added under the contract: “we have a big grapple truck… we have 12 slots open every 2 weeks, and those are full, as soon as those slots open up.” He said that curbside bulky pickup has been “very successful.”
To reduce long lines and traffic on scheduled cleanup days on 27th Street, UP Refuse proposed a voucher system that would let customers bring a load to the company yard during regular business hours up to two times per year. “Perhaps running on a voucher system to where year round, customers can bring in a load… and they would be able to do that 2 times a year,” Gruner said, noting the change would require new logistics and yard management.
Council members asked questions and offered suggestions. Council member Fleming encouraged better outreach: “I think citizens might take advantage of that if they just knew more about it,” and urged the company and city to promote existing Saturday openings and any voucher program. Council member Worthington supported the voucher idea but recommended preserving food‑bank donation opportunities tied to drop‑off events. Several council members thanked UP Refuse for community event support such as Parks Appreciation Day and the city’s 30th birthday sponsorship.
Discussion only — no council action was taken at the meeting. UP Refuse said staff will return with more operational details and asked the council for early feedback while planning logistics and marketing for any change. Council members repeatedly asked the company to notify the city early so the council and staff can weigh in before final decisions.
Clarifying details from the meeting: the contract renewal that added the Saturday openings and bulky‑waste pickup began service changes in March 2021; Saturday openings have averaged about 2.9 customers per open Saturday since the program began; bulky curbside pickup uses a grapple truck on a biweekly schedule with 12 slots that fill immediately. The voucher proposal would permit two vouchered drop‑offs per customer per year during business hours, including some Saturdays, and is intended to reduce traffic and wait times on cleanup days.
Next steps: UP Refuse will continue internal planning and return to council with operational details and suggested marketing; council members asked the city communications team to coordinate announcements if the company pursues the voucher system.
