SEATTLE -- New recycling rules and that allow homeowners to recycle 70 percent of their waste went into effect in Seattle on Monday.

The changes are an effort by the city to get people to recycle more, Seattle Public Utilities said.

Changes include the ability to put all food scraps in food and yard waste containers, more cart sizes to choose from, more paper, more plastic and metal items can be recycled, and motor oil, electronics and bulky items can be picked up through special services.

In addition, garbage pickup days for residents have likely changed, Seattle Public Utilities said.

The new recycling rules mean higher fees and most residents will see an increase of $3 to $5 a month.

Officials said that since recycling is free in Seattle, if used properly, residents will be able to switch to a smaller, less costly garbage can and actually lower their bill.

To get all the details on the new rules, see the Seattle Public Utilities Web site.