As of Tuesday, July 31, Waste Management Northwest has deployed substitute drivers to commercial routes in Snohomish County, but its residential customers in Arlington and Marysville can still expect to be affected by the ongoing strike.

Those whose regularly scheduled collections do not occur during this time can expect Waste Management Northwest to collect twice those customers’ regular amounts on their next service days at no additional charge.

In the meantime, city of Marysville officials hope to clear up some confusion that’s come up among their own citizens regarding this issue.

“The city of Marysville garbage customers’ collection schedule is not impacted by the strike, and their garbage will continue to be picked up,” said Doug Buell, public information officer for the city of Marysville, who’s been updating the city’s website at http://marysvillewa.gov on the status of Waste Management Northwest’s collections. “Customers should put their dark gray carts out curbside, just like they always do on their regularly scheduled pickup days.”

The caveat Buell offered was that Marysville citizens should check to make sure that they have dark gray carts issued by the city itself.

“If not, they are most likely in an area within the city that was part of an annexation in recent years,” Buell said. “I know that muddies the water somewhat, but by state law, the city does not take over the role of providing garbage collection until seven years after an annexation is approved. So the Central Marysville Annexation area, for example, is still served by Waste Management Northwest.”

In addition to non-annexed Marysville residents, this issue is also not affecting operations at Waste Management Northwest’s Snohomish County disposal facilities. Those who need to dispose of their waste may take it to the North County Transfer Station in Arlington, located at 19600 63rd Ave. NE. Its hours of operation run Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Check the Waste Management Northwest website for service updates at www.wmnorthwest.com, or call its customer service line at 800-592-9995 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Arlington residents who do not receive a response from Waste Management Northwest may call the city of Arlington’s Public Works office at 360-403-3526.