Free Recycling

Recycling is no easy feat! Fortunately, we partner with Skagit River Steel & Recycling, where 99% of recyclables by weight are diverted from the landfill. Reduce waste & save money by recycling the following paper, plastic, glass, and metal items. (Questions about what you can recycle? Email sarahr@lopezsolidwaste.org.)

Mixed Paper

YES clean and dry paper, newsprint, books, magazines, envelopes, egg cartons, paper bags, and paper packaging, i.e. cereal boxes.
YES shredded paper — must be contained in a paper bag and securely stapled or taped shut.
NO plastic or plastic-lined paper products. NO paper contaminated with food, grease, dirt, or oil. NO cartons or cups intended to hold liquid.

Corrugated Cardboard

YES clean corrugated cardboard. Important: Corrugated cardboard has a wavy middle layer.
If the item doesn't have a wavy middle layer,
it goes in Mixed Paper recycling.
NO waxed, dirty, greasy, food-contaminated, or stained cardboard.

Plastic Bottles

Important: Only items with threaded tops are accepted for recycling (i.e. bottles, tubs, jugs). All must be clean & empty. NO hazardous waste containers, even if clean & empty. NO caps or lids.

YES #1 (PET) clear & lightly tinted plastic bottles & jugs. NO dark-tinted bottles. NO prescription bottles.
YES #2 (HDPE) cloudy plastic bottles & jugs, like plastic milk jugs.
YES #2 (HDPE) solid white & color bottles & jugs.
NO hazardous or toxic material containers, even if they are empty/clean. This includes motor oil and antifreeze containers, and some lawn and garden products.

Lopez Solid Waste cannot recycle:

Plastic bags or plastic film
Plastic clamshells or other plastic packaging
#3-7 mixed plastics
#1 & #2 plastics that don't meet the above criteria
Vinyl plastic bags or Visqueen
Bubble wrap — Reusable bubble wrap may be accepted as capacity allows.
Lumber wrap
Plastic bags or other containers for feed, compost, fertilizer, or hazardous materials
Woven plastic

Glass

YES glass bottles & jars, clean & empty.
NO lids, corks, or tops.
NO PYREX or glass dishes.
NO windows, mirrors, plate glass, light bulbs, ceramics, or drinking glasses.
If you have spent fluorescent light bulbs, notify the kiosk attendant upon arrival and follow instructions.

Note: While LSWDD accepts clean, self-sorted glass at no cost, the glass is not recycled — it is deposited in a gravel pit on-island as reclamation to refill the pit (inert landfill).

Metal

YES clean aluminum cans and lids. NO aerosol or pressurized aluminum containers.
YES clean and flattened aluminum foil, trays, and pans. NO colored foil or peel-off container lids.
YES steel cans and lids. NO aerosol or pressurized steel containers.
YES pure scrap steel and iron.
YES pure scrap aluminum, brass, copper, bronze, and stainless steel (sorted into the proper bins).
YES electrical wire — insulated, bare copper, or aluminum.
YES mixed steel — household appliances and items that are 50% or more steel/iron. Small items with limited rust are accepted at no charge. See fees for large items.

Automotive Fluids, Oil, & Petroleum-Based Products

Customers may bring up to 5 gallons per day of the following clean, uncontaminated fluids:

Motor oil
Hydraulic fluid
Transmission fluid
Diesel fuel
Antifreeze/coolant — Recycled in a separate container on-site. Do not mix with oils and other fluids.
NO fluids contaminated with water, coolant/anti-freeze, or fuel.
NO cooking oil.
Empty containers cannot be recycled, even if clean. Include empty containers and filters with your regular garbage.

Batteries

Important fire safety information: Individually package batteries in plastic bags or tape positive terminals with non-conducive tape to prevent fire hazards.

NO damaged or defective batteries.
NO batteries over 11 lbs or 300 watt hours (except car batteries)
YES lithium ion, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, nickel zinc, and small sealed lead acid rechargeable batteries.
YES lithium primary, carbon zinc, alkaline, button cell, and coin cell single-use batteries — positive terminals MUST BE taped with non-conducive tape.
YES cell phone batteries.
YES car batteries.

Electronics

Televisions, computers, monitors, laptops, tablets, e-readers, and cell phones can be recycled at Lopez Solid Waste. Ask staff where to drop off items. NO printers, keyboards, scanners, or other computer accessories will be accepted — see fees for disposal of printers, scanners, and copiers.
NEW — Inkjet cartridges can now be recycled at the Dump! No toner cartridges; Inkjet only.
Learn more about e-recycling in Washington State: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/eproductrecycle/.

Take It or Leave It (TIOLI)

TIOLI is a free, on-site exchange of clean, gently used and fully functioning reusable items. Learn more about TIOLI.