Lopez Solid Waste

05/27/2026

Great news, Lopez!

The Washington State Department of Ecology has announced that starting June 1, 2026, the Mercury Lamp Recyclers Association (MLRA) is expected to take over administration of the state-wide Light Recycle program.

Pending conditional approval of MLRA's stewardship plan, Lopez Solid Waste will once again be able to accept spent fluorescent bulbs for free recycling starting June 1. This includes compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) and tubes — click the link below to see examples and read more about the program.

https://www.lopezsolidwaste.org/post/free-fluorescent-recycling-expected-to-resume-june-1

Questions? Email us! --> [email protected]

Great news, Lopez! The Washington State Department of Ecology has announced that starting June 1, 2026, the Mercury Lamp Recyclers Association (MLRA) is expected to take over administration of the state-wide Light Recycle program. Pending conditional approval of MLRA's stewardship plan, Lopez Solid....

05/26/2026

Recycling on Lopez — Frequently Asked Questions!

Q: If I can recycle an item or material elsewhere, why can't I recycle it on Lopez?

A: What we can and can't accept at Lopez Solid Waste depends on whether our recycling partners can actually recycle it — we don’t accept items for recycling that won’t actually be recycled. While Skagit sets the parameters for most of our bulk recyclables, we can also recycle personal electronics via E-Cycle Washington, used motor oil with Orrco, and qualifying paint products via PaintCare. We can accept many metal and mixed metal items for free because we have an incredible team of volunteer Metal Dogs who disassemble and sort metals by type!

Our team is always exploring additional options for difficult-to-recycle items. Logistics, volume, and cost can easily exclude our island operation from participating. If you're interested in recycling some of the items we can't accept on-site, many Lopezians have recommended Ridwell — a paid subscription service that allows you to mail-in items like prescription bottles and plastic films!

More questions? Reach out to [email protected] or find detailed info on our website: lopezsolidwaste.org!

Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District | Recycling, Garbage, Hazardous Waste.

05/25/2026

Thank you Rachel!!

This weekend, we bid a fond farewell to TIOLI extraordinaire Rachel Henderson, who served her last shift as a Lopez Solid Waste staff member. Rachel has been an invaluable member of this team, pouring heart and soul into the whole organization and especially Take It Or Leave It, going the extra mile week after week to improve this cherished space and make it more accessible to our community.

Rachel is also known for her compassion and support, always thinking of fellow team members and helping to throw the best volunteer appreciation parties. She never hesitated to offer support to other community groups and organizations, whether it was collecting baby clothes for a community baby shower, or supplies for school classrooms.

We’re all going to miss her on staff, though she assures us that her support for the Dump is steadfast — who knows, you might just see her popping in as a volunteer in the near future. 🥰

Thank you, Rachel, for helping make LSWDD what it is today. It wouldn’t be the same without you!

05/20/2026

Lopez Solid Waste will be OPEN on Memorial Day: 10am to 3pm.

05/08/2026

Summer hours at the dump start May 22!

Beginning Friday, May 22, the dump will open one hour earlier: 10am to 3pm.

05/06/2026

Stop by the library community room today at 2pm to learn about managing noxious w**ds at home, and disposing of w**d seeds and toxic debris at the dump.

After a brief w**ds-focused presentation, we’ll be available until 4pm to support you with any other backyard composting questions or challenges you might have. Pop in and out as able!

Can’t make it? Reach out anytime for help managing food and other organic waste at home: [email protected].

05/02/2026

It’s Hazardous Waste day at the Dump!

Bring your qualifying hazardous wastes for free disposal, 10am to 2pm.

Learn what qualifies: lopezsolidwaste.org/hazardous-waste

05/01/2026

Tomorrow! May 2! 10am to 2pm!

See you there :)

Got hazardous stuff at home? It's time for the annual San Juan County Hazardous Waste Round-ups!

Lopez: May 2 • San Juan: May 15 (businesses only) & May 16 (households) • Orcas: June 20

Keep dangerous materails out of our water and off our ferry decks. Proper disposal protects your neighbors, our environment, and the workers who handle your waste. Households can bring up to 25 gallons of waste free of charge in containers no bigger than 5 gallons.

Full details + accepted materials: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/351/Hazardous-Waste

04/30/2026

THANK YOU to the Recycle Dogs for processing the Great Pile O' Bicycle this week, separating them into pieces that can be effectively recycled!

This dedicated crew also worked their way through all of the metal drop bins on-site and made significant progress breaking down an inoperable riding lawn mower.

Without the Recycle Dogs, LSWDD's recycling program would not be what it is today. Thank you, volunteers!

04/28/2026

Don't forget!

Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up is THIS SATURDAY, May 2, 10am to 2pm. Residential households can bring up to 25 gallons of qualifying wastes for free and safe disposal. Click the link below to see what qualifies.

IMPORTANT notes ahead of the event:

• The event starts at 10am, but the Dump doesn't open until 11am. If you want to dispose of haz waste and regular trash in one trip, wait until after 11am.
• The event will take place in the Public Works lot adjacent to the Dump. Please follow signs and staff instructions upon arrival, to line up in the order that you arrive.
• Kids and pets will not be allowed outside of vehicles. If possible, keep kids and pets at home!

Lopez has historically had great turn-out and smooth sailing at our HHW Round-Up. Thank you for taking part and making this event so successful! See you Saturday. :)

Hey, Lopez — don't forget! This year's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Round-Up is taking place Saturday, May 2, from 10am to 2pm. Every year, San Juan County hosts one HHW Round-Up on Lopez. Residential households can bring up to 25 gallons of qualifying hazardous wastes for free, safe, and legal...