Back to Residential Services

Click on a question to go straight to the answer, or scroll through all questions and answers below. If you have a question about cleaning and greening up your curbside collection, Ask Charlie! Charlie is knowledgable about recycling and compost practices in your neighborhood and around the region.

How often am I billed?
What goes in my Food Scraps & Yard Debris cart?
How can I access my account on-line?
What taxes do I pay on my garbage service?
What do I do with household batteries?
How do I dispose of used syringes (sharps)?
What do I do with…..?
Can recalled food be composted?
Do I have to put food scraps in my yard debris cart?

How often am I billed?

Residential customers in Shoreline are billed every three months. Invoices arrive early in the second month of your three-month billing period and are due at the end of that second month. The dates of service are located next to each line item on your invoice for your reference. 

What goes in my Food Scraps & Yard Debris cart?

All food waste, including bones, meat and dairy products can now be composted in your Food Scraps & Yard Debris cart. Food-soiled paper products, like pizza boxes and paper napkins, are accepted in your cart as well and will help absorb unpleasant odors. Of course, all your yard debris is also accepted in this cart. Make sure branches are under 4 feet in length and less than 4" wide.

How can I access my account online?

To access your account, select the "Login" button in the top menu bar. If you have not accessed your account before, go to “Sign up now” and complete the form. Problems accessing your account? Call (206)763-4444 or e-mail shoreline@cleanscapes.com. From your account you can:

• View your services and collection schedule.
• See past invoices.
• Pay invoices.

What taxes do I pay on my garbage service?

Taxes on your garbage bill consist of:

• Washington State Refuse Tax - 3% These funds are used to provide financial assistance to local governments for repair and maintenance of public works projects.
• City Utility Tax – 6% Utility tax revenue provides basic City services such as police protection, parks and street maintenance, human services, jail and environmental services.
• King County Hazardous Waste Fee -  $0.80 This fee is collected by the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County to fund the Hazardous Wastemobile and the Hazardous Waste Collection Sheds throughout the County.

What do I do with household batteries?

Household batteries are not allowed in your recycling container. "Button” -shaped batteries are not allowed in your garbage. To recycle button batteries and alkaline batteries, take them to the locations listed below. The types of batteries accepted at these locations are: alkaline, nickel cadmium, lithium, mercury, nickel metal-hydride.

Shoreline Library - 345 NE 175th
Richmond Beach Library - 19601 21st Ave NW
Shoreline City Hall lobby - 17500 Midvale Ave N
Shoreline Police Station lobby - 1206 N 185th St

How do I dispose of used syringes (sharps)?

Sharps are not accepted at household hazardous waste facilities. In King County, they can be disposed of in the garbage "if the sharps are placed in puncture resistant container such as two (2) PET pop bottle, with a tight fitting or taped lid and labeled "SHARPS, DO NOT RECYCLE." Please visit the King County Local Hazardous Waste Management Program website for more informaion on sharps disposal. 

Contact your local pharmacy and ask about their “sharps” collection services. All Bartell Drugs stores accept and dispose of sharps/needles for a fee. Bartell Drugs stores sell a sharps container that includes a sticker to attach to the container indicating that the disposal fee has been paid. Bartells accepts other similar sharps containers from residents starting at $2.00 for a quart size container on up. Contact your local Bartell Drugs store for more information.
Source:King County Local Hazardous Waste Management Program

Purchase a postage paid, mail-in container. To find out where to purchase, search for “sharps mail in programs” on your computer, ask your doctor, or contact the following companies:

BioMedical Waste Solutions - www.biomedicalwastesolutions.com
1-877-974-1300

GRP & Associates, Inc - www.sharpsdisposal.com
1-800-207-0976

Medasend - www.medasend.com
1-800-200-3581

What do I do with…..?

For information on recycling other items, call the City’s Environmental Programs Assistant at (206) 801-2455 for a copy of the “Where To Take It” brochure, or check the City’s website at www.shorelinewa.gov.

Check the King County Solid Waste Division  “What do I do with...?” website for places to take unusual materials.

Can recalled food be composted?

No. Recalled food cannot go in your food scraps & yard debris cart.

Do I have to put food scraps in my yard debris cart?

No. If you choose to subscribe to food scraps & yard debris service, you are not required to put food scraps in the cart.  However, by diverting all compostable waste into your food scraps and yard waste cart, you may be able to downsize your garbage service and save on your total solid waste bill.

Please send us an email or call Shoreline Customer Service at (206)763-4444 if you have additional questions about this service.