Every Bellevue household's garbage, recycling and organics pickup is up for grabs. The city issued a formal request for proposals Tuesday, Aug. 4, seeking companies to compete for the next solid waste collection contract.
Republic Services, which currently handles curbside collection citywide, must compete against other haulers if it wants to keep the work.
The Bellevue City Council is expected to award the new contract in mid-2027, with service under the winning company beginning after a transition period in July 2028.
What the city wants
The RFP announcement says proposals will be judged on industry best practices, community needs, compliance with state laws and local policies, and innovative technology. State law is likely a factor: Washington's organics management law (RCW 70A.205.540, amended in 2025) requires cities in designated Organics Recycling Collection Areas to provide year-round, source-separated organics collection to all single-family homes by April 1, 2027, according to the state Department of Ecology. Bellevue's population far exceeds the 25,000-resident threshold that triggers the mandate.
By April 1, 2030, organics collection becomes mandatory for all qualifying customers, meaning the next contract will need to accommodate expanding service.
Current rates
Residents now pay $32.63 per month for a standard 32-gallon cart (recommended for a household of three to four people) or $51.37 per month for a 96-gallon cart, according to Republic Services' 2026 rate sheet. Those rates, effective Jan. 1, 2026, reflect Consumer Price Index adjustments and a King County landfill disposal fee increase. All garbage service includes unlimited recycling and one 96-gallon compost cart.
Timeline and how to follow along
- Late 2026: Proposal evaluations
- 2027: City Council consideration
- Mid-2027: Contract award
- July 2028: New service begins
Companies that want to bid must register through the Public Purchase System, the city's online procurement platform, to access solicitation documents. Residents who want to track the process can monitor the same system for updates.
