The city of Sammamish’s new garbage collection contract with Republic Services goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2017. Under this agreement, nearly all residents in the city will be served by Republic. Previously, Waste Management provided service to about half the city.

Republic Services recently sent out information brochures explaining its services and rates to both new and old customers. Although 63 percent of Sammamish residents who currently subscribe to yard waste services will see a reduction in their garbage bill, the 37 percent of residents who don’t currently subscribe to yard waste services will see an increase. That’s because under the new contract, all customers will receive yard waste service.

If residents with new yard waste service want to offset a portion of the rate increase, they may want to try this putting food scraps in the yard waste container, an allowed practice.

With less material going into the garbage, they can also ask Republic Services for a smaller and less expensive garbage can.

The new contract provides enhanced services, including expanded curb-side recycling options and embedded weekly yard waste collection.

Anyone with questions that haven’t been answered by Republic Services’ informational brochure, should go to www.republicservices.com/customer-support.

For tips on “recycling more” from King County’s Solid Waste Division, go to http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/garbage-recycling/recycle-more.asp. For tips on how to “compost more and waste less,” go to http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/garbage-recycling/one-less-bag.asp.

Due to state law, newly annexed areas, such as Klahanie, Mystic Lake, Camden Park and Aldarra-Montaine, are not immediately covered by the new contract. Most of these areas, however, will be covered within a couple of years.