Seattle Public Utilities is reminding folks that garbage, recycling and yard waste collections are on a normal schedule next week, despite the Memorial Day holiday. So if Monday is your collection day, put out everything by 7 a.m. like usual.

And the North Recycling and Disposal Station in Fremont/Wallingford will be open during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 31.

We’re not rushing you, but at some point you’re going to have to let go of that tree drying out in your front window.

When that time comes, you can put your tree(s) and greens out on your regular yard waste collection day at no extra charge through Jan. 10. Trees should be cut into sections of six feet long or shorter, with branches trimmed to less than four feet. Sections should be bundled with string or twine.

Flocked trees and those that still have tinsel or ornaments on them will be collected as extra garbage. Those trees will need to be cut into three-foot pieces and each piece will cost you $7.60 in extra garbage charges.

You can also drop off your tree and other holiday greenery for free at the north or south Seattle Public Utilities Stations.  The closest to Phinney/Greenwood is in Fremont at 34th Street and Carr Place North. It’s open daily from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. More info here.

The Sneakery, 612 NW 65th St., is collecting used bottle caps for recycling, playing off an initiative started by Aveda. Drea writes:

I’m probably not the only one who cringes every time I throw a cap in the trash when I put a bottle in the recycling bin. I don’t understand all the politics and science of recycling, but thankfully someone has found a way to get these caps into the proper recycling facility. Aveda salons has started an ongoing program called “Recycle Caps with Aveda” to address this issue and I’ve started a collection at The Sneakery which I plan on taking to the drop-off point downtown. I’d like to invite anyone else who wants to see their caps go somewhere with a purpose to drop them off with us. The Sneakery is not affiliated with Aveda in any way, this is just something I heard about and want to participate in. Hopefully you’ll think this is a project worthy of getting others involved in and post it on your blog.

Here is a general overview of what types of caps can be recycled:

Caps included in this collection are any plastic “twist on” caps. Some examples are: Water bottles, soda bottles, laundry detergent bottles, ketchup bottles, and shampoo/conditioner bottles. Caps that are NOT included are any metal caps and any “Snap Fit” plastic caps. Some examples of snap fit caps are; margarine and cottage cheese caps.

More information via Aveda can be found here.

At the end of March, the city of Seattle will increase the kinds of items that can be recycled and you will no longer have to separate glass from all your other recycling.

But lots of people have noticed that waste collectors (who are contractors) already have been dumping glass right into the main compartment of their trucks along with plastic, paper and everything else. So what gives? I spoke with a Seattle Public Utilities customer service representative this afternoon. He said they’re getting a ton of calls about this issue. He told me that even though they’re already using the new sorting technology to separate glass and other items, the official city position is “it would be a good idea to still separate it up until March 30.” However, the city won’t ding you for throwing your glass into your main recycling bin before March 30.

One more thing: waste collectors will be collecting your glass bins during the last weeks of March before the new rules kick in.

Here’s the scoop on all the new rules that kick in March 30:

Most households will get a new collection day. If you haven’t received a notice of your new collection day in the mail by March 23, call 206-684-3000.

Yard waste will be picked up weekly instead of bi-weekly, and you’ll finally be able to put meat, fish and dairy scraps into the yard waste cart. The city also will have two more sizes of yard waste carts to choose from, so you don’t have to have the one-size-fits-all 96-gallon behemoth that everyone has now if you don’t generate that much yard/food waste. A 13-gallon mini-can and a 32-gallon can are available. Click here for yard waste prices. Note that the city will automatically provide a 13-gallon mini-can to households that don’t already subscribe to yard/food waste service. But you can fill out an online form to order a larger can or to request an exemption if you compost at home.

You can recycle even more paper, plastic and metal items - including cups, deli trays, aluminum foil and plastic plant pots (even casual gardeners are rejoicing at that last one!)

Glass bottles and jars go in your recycling cart - no more separating.

Electronics, used motor oil and bulky items can be collected through special services.

New garbage rates take effect. For example: A single-family home with a 32-gallon can will pay $22.30/month for garbage service, compared to $17.65 in 2008. Click here for garbage rates for all sizes of cans.

…or “Holiday” tree if you want to be PC about it. AC asked about this in our previous post and here’s the info from Seattle Public Utilities:

Between December 26 and January 11, Seattle residents can recycle their trees and greens for free. All residents can recycle up to three trees at Seattle’s Recycling and Disposal stations. The tree sections must be cut to eight feet or less in length, and the trunk must be four inches or smaller in diameter. Only trees without flocking or decoration may be disposed of free of charge.

Seattle food and yard waste subscribers can also recycle trees and greens for free. Trees should be cut into sections, six feet long or shorter, with branches trimmed to less than four feet to fit into the collection trucks. Bind with string or twine (non-plastic). Trunks should not exceed four inches in diameter. Flocked, plastic, or trees with tinsel will be collected as extra garbage at a rate of $6.00 per item.