Jul 18, 2025 - News

Trash strike stinks up Seattle suburbs

Christine Clarridge

Garbage overflows trash receptacles in King County, Washington. — Receptacles in King County overflow as a regional work stoppage in support of garbage strikes drags on. Photo: Courtesy of the Teamsters Union

Nearly record-high temperatures and a regional trash strike have left piles of uncollected garbage rotting in Seattle's suburbs.

Why it matters: Some residents say the "Big Stink" is now drifting into Seattle as the strike involving about 2,000 Republic Services workers — including roughly 350 in Washington state — drags on.

What's happening: A regional work stoppage in solidarity with strikes in Thurston County and Boston has stopped trash collection in several Seattle suburbs and slowed operations at the Republic Services Recycling Facility in SoDo since July 9, according to Teamsters Union spokesperson Matt McQuaid.

Trash pickup is on hold in Kent, Covington, Renton, Bellevue, Sammamish, Clyde Hill and other suburban neighborhoods, according to Republic Services.
In Renton, there's been an explosion of "flies, fruit flies and rats" as a result, resident Abby Klinkenberg told FOX 13.
Curbside garbage and recycling collection is unaffected in the city of Seattle.

What they're saying: "What you smell is the labor union flexing its might," said Reddit user fssbmule1 in response to a question about the source of the stench stretching from Renton to West Seattle.

What's next: Teamsters Local 252 in Lacey is scheduled to meet with Republic Services on July 30 to negotiate their first contract, per McQuaid.

He tells Axios the sticking points are primarily related to wages and health care.

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Trash strike stinks up Seattle suburbs

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