Lake Cavanaugh resident urges county to expedite curbside recycling; staff outlines approval steps

Loretta Humble (also identified as Tweety Lake Kavanaugh) addressed commissioners during public comment on June 10 seeking clarity and an expedited timeline for curbside recycling service at Lake Cavanaugh.

Humble said she had previously been told by county staff that the curbside service would likely be operational in spring or early summer 2025 but received a later message indicating the timeline would take "an additional several months." "Imagine my disappointment to receive this message that curbside recycling will take an additional several months," Humble said, and asked whether the county could expedite the process.

Humble recounted that at a community meeting in September 2024 she was told there would be time in the winter months to secure contracts and documentation. She told the board that Lake Cavanaugh is now a busy summer recreational lake and residents who host weekend guests want to know when curbside recycling will begin.

County staff responded in the record that public works is finalizing a Lake Cavanaugh recycling ordinance for legal review. After the commissioners vote to approve the ordinance, Waste Management will need to review the new route and set a fee schedule and the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission must also approve the route and fees; that review process can take several months after the ordinance is adopted. Staff said they would notify the community once the ordinance is ready for consideration by the commissioners.

Why it matters: Lake Cavanaugh residents and visitors generate seasonal recycling demand. The implementation path—county ordinance, Waste Management routing and fee‑setting, and WUTC approval—means timelines are driven by multiple review steps outside immediate county control, but residents requested clearer communication about schedule and next steps.