Recycle Report Registration Form
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should get a City of Seattle Recycler License and file an Annual Recycling and Reuse Report?
You are required to have a Seattle Recycler License if during 2025 your business expects to collect or haul recyclable materials originating in the City of Seattle, regardless of where the materials are to be delivered; or if you will operate a materials recovery facility (MRF) or expect to provide drop boxes or operate one or more drop-off facilities for recyclable materials in the City. If you engaged in any of these activities in 2024, you must file a completed Annual Recycling and Reuse Report on the quantities of materials you handled along with your 2025 license application by March 1, 2025. Under Seattle Municipal Code subchapter 6.250.020, a Recycler License and annual reporting is required of collectors and processors of recyclable materials:
How do I get my 2021 Seattle Recycler License?
To get the required Recycler License, submit the completed Recycler License Application/Renewal Form and a license fee of $105 by check payable to “City of Seattle” by March 31 to:
City of Seattle, Department of Finance and Administrative Services
Attn: Terry Boyle
700 5th Avenue, Suite 4250
What is a recycling collector?
“Collector” means:
- 1. A person who operates one or more vehicles for the collection of recyclable materials from residential, commercial or industrial premises or construction sites in the City; or
- 2. A person engaged in construction, demolition or land clearing who hauls recyclable materials away from job sites in the City; or
- 3. A person who places drop boxes, kiosks, barrels or other containers in the City where the public may deposit recyclable materials; or
- 4. A person who maintains one or more business premises in the City where the public may bring recyclable materials, including but not limited to salvaged or surplus building materials and discarded household items and clothing; or
- 5. A person who, as part of regular business activities in the City, transports recyclable materials, including but not limited to product packaging, oils and food waste, directly from one or more business premises to a recyclable materials processor. " City contractors who pick up residential and/or commercial garbage, recyclable materials, including food and yard waste are collectors under this definition.
What is a recycling processor?
"Processor" means:
A person who operates a facility that receives recyclable materials originating in the City from collectors or private individuals where such materials are sorted for marketability by type, quality or other criteria and then sold directly to the public for reuse or shipped to a recycling firm or facility for further processing. City contractors who operate transfer stations, materials recovery facilities (MRFs) or other facilities where waste materials are sorted for reshipment or disposal are processors under this definition.
Do I need a Seattle Recycler License if my business collects or processes materials originating in Seattle, but is based outside of Seattle?
A business such as a recyclable materials processor or MRF located outside the City of Seattle is not required to obtain a Seattle Recycler License unless the business also operates hauling or collection services in Seattle as specified above.
Can I submit my Department of Ecology recycling report to the City of Seattle?
No. Businesses required to file an Annual Recycling and Reuse Report should be aware that the list of materials and their definitions are similar but no longer identical to those in annual reports required by the Department of Ecology (Ecology).
Use this form only for your Seattle Annual Recycling and Reuse Report. Do not submit your Department of Ecology report to Seattle.
What if I still have questions or need help completing this report?
For questions about this reporting requirement, contact Luis Hillon, Seattle Public Utilities, 206-233-8734 or e-mail: SPU_recyclerlicense@seattle.gov
P.O. Box 34214
Seattle, WA 98124-4214
Collector Definition
What is a recycling collector?
“Collector” means:
- 1. A person who operates one or more vehicles for the collection of recyclable materials from residential, commercial or industrial premises or construction sites in the City; or
- 2. A person engaged in construction, demolition or land clearing who hauls recyclable materials away from job sites in the City; or
- 3. A person who places drop boxes, kiosks, barrels or other containers in the City where the public may deposit recyclable materials; or
- 4. A person who maintains one or more business premises in the City where the public may bring recyclable materials, including but not limited to salvaged or surplus building materials and discarded household items and clothing; or
- 5. A person who, as part of regular business activities in the City, transports recyclable materials, including but not limited to product packaging, oils and food waste, directly from one or more business premises to a recyclable materials processor. " City contractors who pick up residential and/or commercial garbage, recyclable materials, including food and yard waste are collectors under this definition.
Processor Definition
What is a recycling processor?
"Processor" means:
A person who operates a facility that receives recyclable materials originating in the City from collectors or private individuals where such materials are sorted for marketability by type, quality or other criteria and then sold directly to the public for reuse or shipped to a recycling firm or facility for further processing. City contractors who operate transfer stations, materials recovery facilities (MRFs) or other facilities where waste materials are sorted for reshipment or disposal are processors under this definition.
Confidentiality Notice
Confidentiality – Seattle Public Utilities
The Recycling Annual Report form is a public document and will be available for inspection and copying by the public in accordance with the Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW. If your firm believes that portions of your information should remain confidential in the event of a public request for this information, please refer to the procedure below.
There may be certain information provided in your report considered “trade secrets” under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, RCW 19.108 and could be considered non-disclosable if so determined by a court of law. The Uniform Trade Secrets Act defines a "trade secret" as information that "derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use and is the subject of reasonable efforts to maintain its secrecy." SPU is unable to assert the trade-secrets exemption on behalf of your firm.
If you consider any portions of the record to be protected under law, you should clearly identify each such portion with words such as “CONFIDENTIAL”, “PROPRIETARY” or “TRADE SECRET”. If a request is made for disclosure of such portion, you will be notified of the public disclosure request and you will have ten (10) business days to take whatever action you deem necessary to protect your interest pursuant to RCW 42.56.540. If you fail or neglect to take such action within this time, SPU will release the portions of record(s) deemed by SPU to be subject to disclosure. SPU shall not be liable for releasing records pursuant to a disclosure request not clearly identified as being “CONFIDENTIAL”, “PROPRIETARY” or “TRADE SECRET”.
Are there any portions of your Seattle Annual Recycling and Reuse Report that you would consider to be “CONFIDENTIAL”, “PROPRIETARY” or a “TRADE SECRET”?
To ensure notice regarding a request for the information you have designated as confidential, you must contact SPU in writing and reference the relevant portions of the monthly reports.
Please address such requests to:
Luis Hillon
Seattle Public Utilities
700 5th Avenue, Suite 4900
PO Box 34018
Seattle, WA 98124-4018