07/22/2026
Let's talk: Monday afternoons at the dump!
Especially in the summers, Monday afternoons at the dump get *very* busy. There are so many different reasons for this — some neighbors can't visit the dump on weekends due to work, family, or travel schedules. At the same time, lots of vacationers making their way off-island need to off-load their weekend trash!
While our team works to understand the community's seasonal needs, and to meet these needs and ensure we have the right resources to manage periods of high traffic, there are also ways that visitors and neighbors can help us out:
1) SORT YOUR RECYCLABLES AT HOME. Our volunteers do their best to help customers quickly sort their plastic bottles, glass bottles, and metal cans into the proper bins. And we love opportunities to connect with neighbors on-site! However, during busy periods, it's important to move quickly through the recycling area. Sort your recyclables ahead of time so that you can move efficiently on-site and make room for the next customers.
2) FIND OTHER WAYS TO SHARE ITEMS FOR FREE. Instead of bringing all of your unused items to TIOLI, share some of them via Buy Nothing or Lopez Rocks. Set up a "free table" or yard sale. Check in with local families and non-profits about any needs they might have. Bring items to any of the great thrift stores or organizations on the mainland, which might have greater capacity! We love providing TIOLI as a space for exchange and reuse; however, we often don't have enough space or labor to accept *all* of the great stuff our residents and visitors want to share during the busy season. Thank you for understanding!
3) If your schedule and needs allow, consider planning your Monday afternoon dump run for a different day or time. We understand this isn't always possible, and at the end of the day, Lopez Solid Waste belongs to all of us! Our team is always investigating ways to better understand and meet Lopez Island's needs as they exist today.
4) EXPLORE OUR WEBSITE, where we've posted lots of guidelines and information about how to use the dump. Read through these pages before you visit, and reach out with any questions: [email protected]
Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District | Recycling, Garbage, Hazardous Waste.