Recycling on Lopez — Why So Many Rules?

A few years ago, new reports about the viability of plastic recycling went viral.

PBS Frontline outlined how oil and plastics executives had been skeptical of recycling from the start: "The plastics industry pushed recycling as a solution, even though industry officials have known for a long time that it wasn't going to be viable at scale... they really looked at recycling as a way to kind of fend off regulation, and to keep selling more plastic."

In one report, data from 2018–2022 demonstrates that less than 9% (and even as low as 5%) of plastic intended for recycling was actually recycled; meanwhile, more new plastic was being produced than ever before.

Generally, recycling plastic is also more expensive than landfilling — facilities and municipalities have to pay steep rates to process everything after collection. (And then still, most of it goes to the landfill!)

We share this info not to dissuade you from trying, but to let you know what we're up against. So what does all of this mean for Lopez?

Lopez Solid Waste brings nearly all of our recycled items — plastics, paper, metal — to Skagit Steel & Recycling in Burlington. When two of our board members popped over to Skagit Steel for a visit, they learned from GM Todd Reynolds that 99% of the materials we send them (by weight) are still recycled. Board member Gene Helfman wrote an excellent article about the visit: read it here!

The key to our continued recycling success? We, Lopez, follow the rules! (And have amazing volunteers who help us do it!) Don't worry, this doesn't damage our headstrong reputation — in the case of recycling, each and every one of our rules exists to prevent our plastics from ending up in the landfill. They also help keep our recycling program free. If you need a recap, you can always find our recycling guidelines on our website. We also created this downloadable "Where Does It Go?" guide, which is even more comprehensive:

Where Does It Go – English - 031126.pdf

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Where Does It Go – Español - 031126.pdf

Download PDF • 782KB

Note: Our fluorescent light recycling program is currently on-hold while we work with the county to find a new partner that can accept mercury lamps like fluorescent tubes and CFLs.These are hazardous wastes and should not be included in your regular garbage! For now, you can bring mercury-containing bulbs to an SJC Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up for free disposal.

The Where Does It Go? guide includes all items that you can recycle at the Dump, as well as other items that have specific disposal instructions, like hazardous wastes. If an item is not listed in the guide, please pay for disposal with your regular garbage, or reach out with any questions: info@lopezsolidwaste.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why can't I recycle dark-colored plastic bottles?

A: It's very difficult to recycle dark-tinted and dark-colored plastic bottles at scale, for a few difference reasons. First, because of the way light passes through these bottles, sensors on sorting machines can't properly identify the type of plastic. Also, many dark plastics are made with materials that can't be recycled into food-grade products, making them more difficult to sell. Here's a great article on this topic by Beyond Plastics!

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 depends on whether we have a partner to recycle it — we won't accept items for recycling that we can't actually recycle. While Skagit takes 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!

Q: Why can I only recycle glass bottles and jars? Doesn't it all get crushed up anyway?

A: Interesting fact — we don't technically recycle our glass bottles and jars! We're lucky to have a partner on-island that can use them as inert landfill. This has enabled us to keep accepting glass bottles and jars for free, even when our larger region's glass recycling systems failed or faltered. Keeping one or our heaviest materials on-site also prevents sky-rocketing shipping and disposal costs! In order to maintain this partnership, we need to protect their operation from contamination by not sending them types of glass they can't use. To help mitigate other types of glass waste, we will accept some reusable glass items for reuse at Take It Or Leave It — find our donation guidelines here.

Questions for Lopez Solid Waste? We'd love to hear from you — send a message to info@lopezsolidwaste.org, or visit us during operating hours: Friday through Monday, 11am to 3pm.