Waste Management highlights organics diversion, SmartTruck tech in Anacortes report

Waste Management presented its 2025 annual report to the Anacortes City Council on March 23, describing operational highlights, education efforts and technology investments intended to reduce contamination and improve safety.

Robin Friedman, WM senior manager for public sector services, said the company provides curbside recycling and compost service to more than 11,000 residential, multifamily and commercial customers in Anacortes. Grace Fletcher, WM education and outreach coordinator, said the city diverted nearly 4,750 tons of material in 2025, including more than 2,600 tons of organics from residents.

WM representatives highlighted several changes introduced in 2025: acceptance of paper and plastic cups in curbside recycling, expanded outreach to multifamily property managers, and a 'SmartTruck' system — a 360‑degree camera platform with GPS used to document what goes into trucks. Friedman said SmartTruck helps safety and allows targeted contamination monitoring and outreach.

"These images that we capture allow us to really look at contamination," Friedman said. "We will be able to track trends by route, neighborhood, or customer type."

Council members asked how WM contacts customers flagged for contamination; Fletcher said staff conduct quarterly follow‑up by phone and email and send education letters to multifamily properties. WM and council discussed seasonal tonnage variation and the role of weather in organics totals.

WM encouraged continued coordination with city staff on education and said the company is open to collaboration to further reduce contamination.