MONTREAL (RecyclingMonster): Spokane County has approved an expansion of curbside recycling service to about 2,500 additional residents as Washington moves to extend recycling access to rural customers. The change marks the county's first major expansion of curbside recycling boundaries since 2018.

The revised service area includes several growing communities and neighborhoods near Medical Lake, Liberty Lake and Seven Mile.

Waste Haulers Have Until April 2027 to Add Service

Local waste companies, including Waste Management Services and Sunshine Disposal, will have until April 2027 to provide recycling collection to households newly added under the expanded service area.

County officials said population growth and requests from residents have increased the need for wider recycling access. The expansion also supports Washington's goal of making curbside recycling available across the state by the end of the decade.

County Plans Gradual Recycling-Service Expansion

Officials said a gradual approach would be preferable to expanding the entire service area at once. The phased rollout is intended to give waste haulers more time to secure recycling containers, collection vehicles and qualified drivers while reducing the risk of supply shortages.

County officials also anticipate additional service-area expansions in future years.

The expansion will give more rural households access to the established curbside recycling system rather than requiring recyclable materials to be placed in garbage collection.