With trash piling up, a collection company says replacement drivers are picking up residential garbage for the first time since a Teamsters strike began a week ago and disrupted service for 217,000 customers.

Waste Management also says it will start hiring permanent replacements for recycling and yard waste truck drivers who walked out July 25 in the contract dispute.

The city of Seattle also is allowing residents to drop off garbage bags for free at two transfer stations. The city could fine the company $1.25 million a day for missed pickups

Teamsters Local 117 continues to picket. Garbage truck drivers in other Teamsters locals are refusing to cross picket lines.