Spring has arrived in the islands! Rain or shine, we're gathering friends and neighbors on Saturday, April 18 , for our first Great Islands Clean-Up of 2026. The Great Islands Clean-Up is a twice-annual volunteer extravaganza across San Juan County, when island residents and visitors come together to clean up our shared beaches and roadways. Litter collected is then thrown away for free at the Lopez Dump! Participate as an individual or form a group and pick a route to walk together. Event Schedule & Details — Lopez 10–11 AM — CHECK IN @ Lopez Village Park (Lopez Rd & Tower Dr) Check in, pick a route, stock up on supplies, and share a cup of complementary coffee or tea before heading out. Some supplies will also be available for pick-up at Islandale Grocery (first come, first served). 12–2 PM — DROP OFF @ The Lopez Dump (2419 Fisherman Bay Rd) Bring litter and supplies to the Dump, following signs for "GICU." We'll weigh your collection and log the location & distance where you cleaned up! 3-4 PM — CELEBRATE w/ Youth Conservation Corps @ The Galley Participants are welcome to join us and the YCC at The Galley for a brief gathering and celebration following the event, light bites provided by The Galley crew. Please RSVP during check-in so we can provide them with an accurate headcount; space is limited! Want to plan your route ahead of time? Email Sarah Reeves, LSWDD Volunteer Coordinator, at sarahr@lopezsolidwaste.org . For details about GICU events on other islands, visit plasticfreesalishsea.org/event .

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: 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.

For more than 20 years, Michael Sobel has been visiting Lopez Island, developing close connections to people and place. Though he lives in Seattle, he’s a member of the Lopez Island Artists Guild, and many Lopezians recognize him as a familiar friend.   Drawn by “the adventure of discovery,” Michael spends time at Take It Or Leave It, curious about the stories within shared objects and the act of sharing.   “One fall, four or five years ago, I was wandering about TIOLI and noticed how beautiful was the southern light shining into the grand shed,” Michael says. “It came to me then — what a great place to make portraits!”   A self-taught photographer with 50 years of experience, Michael makes portraits using an old-fashioned 4x5” view camera on black and white film. He also takes color photos of found objects, using a digital camera. All prints are created with archival pigment inks on acid-free cotton rag paper.   Michael’s work has been shown in regional galleries, and recently won second place in a national competition at the Photographic Center NW in Seattle. This March, Michael will be showing TIOLI portraits at the Lopez Island Library, as part of their showcase, “A Year of Resilience." See them on display from March 6 to March 31.   Naturally, taking portraits has only deepened Michael’s connection to the Lopez community.   “Listening to people’s stories, I began to appreciate the deeper significance of this community effort and the work that goes on behind the scenes,” he says. “The commitment to a circular economy for material things. The joy of leaving, and the joy of taking. More than once, I’ve heard stories about the possessions of an islander who has passed away, how their objects, returned back to the common pool, bring back memories of those departed.”   TIOLI staff, volunteers, and shoppers can recall countless similar stories — someone finding exactly  what they needed for free, or someone leaving an object with the hope of it finding new meaning.   “I’m fascinated by the ‘meaning’ of items,” says Michael. “I don’t have much room for more stuff at home, so instead I make portraits of the objects. It satisfies my own acquisitive nature, while letting the items speak for themselves. I’ve favored objects that speak about the islanders: tools, books, boots, cameras, archaic technology.”   Beyond reducing landfill waste, TIOLI and its stewards have created a hub for free exchange in a community that embraces reuse as a way of life. For island residents, a strong circular economy is also a means for resilience, connecting people with each other and with the items they need to furnish a home, fix a leak, or get in character for an upcoming theater role. (“Buy Nothing” groups and Lopez Rocks are also excellent ways to find what you need for free, or share an item that's no longer in use.) Many staff and volunteers, some of whom have helped sustain TIOLI for over a decade, are featured in Michael’s show.   In his artist bio, Michael expresses gratitude for everyone who’s stood for portraits over the years: “I’m so grateful for the support and encouragement from staff and volunteers, and for the warm welcome from all Lopezians.”   Michael’s show at the library opens on Saturday, March 7, with an artist talk at 5 p.m. We hope to see you there!

Last updated 1/8/26. After Lopez visitors and residents bring their waste and recycling to the Lopez Dump, our team trucks it off-island to Skagit County Recycling and Transfer Station. Last year, the transfer station instituted annual rate hikes for all customers, including Lopez Solid Waste: a 30% increase over five years. This isn't the only cost increase the district is facing. In addition to higher ferry rates and other rising costs, LSWDD is now also responsible for a lease payment recently imposed by San Juan County. At the top of our priority list, we must also support our staff with competitive wages. Despite all of this, disposal rates at the Lopez Dump have remained (and will remain) lower than those on San Juan and Orcas, and recycling has continued (and will continue) to be free. This is due, in large part, to our volunteers, whose annual hours are equivalent to $100,000 in wages. They deserve our sincere thanks. To meet increasing costs, Lopez community members should expect two changes in 2026. First, beginning January 1, 2026, some disposal fees for miscellanous items will increase, or be newly applied . Here's the updated fee schedule, which will be implemented January 1: Solid furniture – small (< 12 cubic feet) — $15.00 Solid furniture – large (12+ cubic feet) — $25.00 Sofa bed (sofa/couch with pull-out bed) — $35.00 Mattress pad (12.5"+) — $12.00 Twin mattress — $17.00 Full/double mattress — $22.00 Queen/king mattress — $30.00 Tire — $15.00 each Small engine equipment (drained of fluids) — $15.00 each Large non-refrigerated appliance — $30.00 Refrigerated/freon appliance — $56.00 Printer/copier — $15.00 Second, LSWDD's managing board voted at their December meeting to increase the general disposal garbage rates, which haven't been updated since 2021. If approved by the governing board (San Juan County Council) during their January meeting, the following updated rates will take effect on February 1, 2026 : Minimum charge — $6.00 32-gallon container — $12.00 55-gallon container — $21.00 Non-standard containers — $0.38 per gallon Truck/trailer load (common / not high-density) — $2.81 per cubic foot Truck/trailer load (high-density) — $5.62 per cubic foot LSWDD's managing board works hard to strike an effective balance between the district's annual levy and our garbage disposal fees to minimize, as much as possible, the onus on Lopez community members. Thank you, always, for your ongoing support. And once again, we extend profound gratitude to our volunteers. So far in 2025, 86 different volunteers have given more than 3,000 hours of their time to sustain the Dump that we all know and love. Thank you.

If you start thinking about holiday gifts and consider a trip to the dump, you probably live on Lopez Island. This time of year especially, the Lopez Solid Waste team witnesses the pure magic of Take It Or Leave It (TIOLI): shoppers finding the perfect gift for a loved one, cozy repurposed decorations that they don't have to buy new, or the exact baking dish they need for a delicious seasonal dessert — not to mention tools and supplies to ready the house for both guests and winter weather. Head to TIOLI for shopping on Fridays and Sundays, 11am to 3pm , to find warm winter gear, DIY gifting supplies like yarn and fabric, interesting books, beautiful art, and vintage homeware. All for free! Free gifts are best, of course. Second best are gifts that support a great cause! A few more 2026 Dogs of the Dump Calendars are available for sale at the payment kiosk during operating hours. Each calendar is $25, cash or check only, and all proceeds benefit the Solid Waste Alternatives Program (SWAP) on Lopez. SWAP is critical in their support for LSWDD programs! Throughout the holiday season, Lopez Solid Waste will be open regular hours : Friday – Monday, 11am to 3pm. (As usual, TIOLI will be open for shopping only on Fridays and Sundays, and donations only on Saturdays and Mondays.) Because it's a popular time for travel, please keep in mind that our team may be operating with limited volunteer support. If you want to lend a hand, please email sarahr@lopezsolidwaste.org !

Twice a year, island residents come together across the county to clean up our shared beaches and roadways! This fall, we're taking action on Saturday, October 4 . 10am – 11am — Check in, pick a route, and gather supplies at Lopez Village Park. 12pm – 2pm — Drop off litter at the Lopez Dump, following signs to the designated GICU drop-off area. Limited supplies will also be available outside Southend Market on a first-come-first-served basis. The Fall GICU is an extra special event, as it's an annual opportunity for residents to come back together following the busy summer season and show some love to the islands we call home. We're looking forward to seeing you out there! Questions about GICU on Lopez? Email sarahr@lopezsolidwaste.org .

San Juan County's 2025 Noxious Weeds Disposal program ENDS September 30, 2025. That means the last day to bring qualifying noxious weeds to the Lopez Dump for no-charge disposal will be Monday, September 29. Residents across the county take advantage of this program to control and dispose of noxious weeds in a way that prevents spread — so much so that this year's funds for the program have been used up! SJC hopes to offer the program again in 2026. Starting October 3 and for the remainder of the year, noxious weeds will need to be paid for with your regular garbage. Alternatively, the county has shared this link to a resource describing methods of responsible control and disposal: https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/pdfs/Noxious_weed_disposal_2012-1.pdf . According to SJC's recent press release , " If you think you have noxious weed lurking in your spaces but you aren’t sure, check out the weed ID tab on our page or send us a photo by email:   noxiousweeds@sanjuancountywa.gov ." You can also call 360-376-3499. Find San Juan County's 2025 list of noxious weeds here . All weeds on this list EXCEPT reed canarygrass, English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and evergreen blackberry qualify for free disposal at the Lopez Dump through September 29.

This Labor Day Weekend was one for the books — on Sunday, ~540 people shopped at Take It Or Leave It! While it wasn't quite a record, it was pretty dang close. We'd like to shout-out our Lopez Solid Waste staff and volunteers for taking care of all our customers and community members during busy holiday weekends (and all year long). Thank you for sustaining this important island space! Most years, the Dump reverts back to "regular" hours after Labor Day. However, this year we're extending summer hours for an extra month! Until the end of September, the Dump will be open Friday – Monday, 10am to 3pm. After October 1 we'll return to our off-peak hours: Friday – Monday, 11am to 3pm. Also in October, mark your calendars for two great community events: Saturday, October 4 — 10am to 2pm — Great Islands Clean-Up Fall Edition! Join us and teams across the county to clean up our shared beaches and roadways. Collected litter is free to throw away at the Lopez Dump! More details to come soon. Wednesday, October 22 — 4 to 6pm — Home Composting Knowledge Share @ the Lopez Library! We'll meet in the library's Community Meeting Room to troubleshoot compost challenges, share ideas and resources, and connect with fellow composters. Send your questions ahead of time to sarahr@lopezsolidwaste.org , and/or bring questions on the day of the event! Lastly, a brief PSA: please remember to rinse your recyclables before coming to the Dump! Wasps of all shapes and sizes love sticky residues, and rinsed recyclables can help keep our staff, volunteers, and customers safe while recycling at the Dump. If you're on-site and concerned about wasps, ask a staff member or volunteer for help. Thank you, Lopez! Don't want to miss updates from LSWDD? Sign up for monthly emails here .

The LSWDD Managing Board finalized and published their updated Strategic Plan this month — read it here ! The mission of the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District is to provide a safe and convenient local facility for solid waste collection, operated in a fiscally, socially, and environmentally responsible manner. LSWDD is also committed to waste reduction by making reuse and recycle options available to our community! The Strategic Plan describes the current state of the Dump, and lays out our Managing Board's vision for the future, contemplating the challenges and opportunities that they foresee over a five-year time period. It defines actions required to prepare for these challenges and opportunities, and sets priorities based on what resources we have available. Read the LSWDD Strategic Plan Meet the Managing Board Pam Stewart – Chair | pams@lopezsolidwaste.org ​ Pam "Stewie" Stewart came to Lopez in 2017 after 40 years in Seattle. She received her undergraduate degree in education from the University of Connecticut and a master's degree in Urban Planning from Florida State University. Pam spent 38 years at the University of Washington, where she was responsible for capital budgeting, campus development, and technology infrastructure planning. Now retired, she directs her efforts toward activities on Lopez.  ​ Ross MacDonald – Vice Chair | rossm@lopezsolidwaste.org Ross is a retired professor, administrator, and consultant in higher education. Most of his work was in the language arts, agricultural and environmental sciences, and schools of engineering and business. He also worked on peace and justice initiatives with international organizations and governments in Basque Country, Iran, and Haiti. He has been living full-time on Lopez since 2016.  ​ Gene Helfman – Secretary | geneh@lopezsolidwaste.org Gene earned degrees from California, Hawai'i, and Cornell to land a faculty position at the University of Georgia's Odum School of Ecology, where he spent 30 years teaching fish biology, animal behavior, and conservation biology. His research focused on fish behavior and conservation, which led him to write textbooks in those fields, as well as general interest books about fish and sharks. He retired to Lopez in 2017 where he morphed into a fiction writer, publishing novels about sharks and killer whales. ​ Cyndi Smith | cyndis@lopezsolidwaste.org Cyndi started as a Dump volunteer and joined the LSWDD board in 2021. She has a B.S. in aerospace engineering from Iowa State University and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. She is a naturalist and is passionate about island conservation and meadow restoration. She can usually be found outside, propagating native wildflowers, ripping out noxious weeds, or searching for pollinators.  ​ John Trench | johnt@lopezsolidwaste.org A native of New York, John has a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Maryland. He became a part-time resident of Lopez in 2000, moving to the island full-time in 2018. John worked in financial services sales and marketing, and before moving to Lopez volunteered as a math tutor for GED students, at a Seattle nonprofit offering citizenship training, and for 15 years at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue. John is passionate about environmental conservation, and you'll often see him picking up garbage on the roadside and volunteering in the recycling area at the Dump.  ​ June Coover | junec@lopezsolidwaste.org June joined the LSWDD board in 2024, bringing her expertise as an environmental engineer and certified environmental auditor, with 35 years of environmental consulting experiencing working with industrial clients. Since moving to Lopez in 2019, and retiring fully in 2022, June has engaged in numerous volunteer activities with local nonprofits. When not volunteering, you can find her at the gym or on the pickleball court.

Properly disposing of hazardous wastes is one of the most important things we can do to protect our community and our shared home. If not managed safely, hazardous wastes easily and severely damage the air, soil, and water that we and our neighbors need to survive. Many types of hazardous waste — including batteries, motor oil, coolant/antifreeze, fluorescent bulbs, personal electronics, and many paint products — can be recycled at the Dump for free year-round. Learn which hazardous wastes you can bring to the Dump year-round. To safely and legally dispose of hazardous wastes that aren't on that list, San Juan County organizes Household Hazardous Waste Round-Ups on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez Islands. This year, the Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up on Lopez will take place at the Lopez Dump on May 31, 2025 . Each household can bring up to 25 gallons of qualifying , labeled hazardous wastes for FREE disposal. (Please bring waste in 5-gallon containers or smaller.) WHAT YOU CAN BRING Pesticides, fungicides, and other poisons Gasoline and other used fuels Wood preservatives, solvents, and thinners Pool and photo chemicals Resins Corrosives, degreasers, cleaning products Mercury Rechargeable batteries Small propane cylinders (camping style) Aerosols Containers holding hazardous waste will be taken, too. Please DO NOT BRING: More than 25 gallons per household (combined) Flares, explosives, or ammunition Anti-freeze or coolant — this can be recycled at the Lopez Dump! Motor oil — this can be recycled at the Lopez Dump! Vehicle batteries — these can be recycled at the Lopez Dump! Fluorescent bulbs Large propane tanks (BBQ style) Paint products — bring these to the Lopez Dump on Sundays! Questions about what you can and can't bring? Please contact Katie Fleming at 360-762-5821 or katief@sanjuancountywa.gov . To help this event run safely and smoothly, please review the above information before you come, and leave pets at home or secure in vehicles.

In February, we hosted a chilly but impactful home composting class with a small group of Lopezians. While two Master Composters presented composting basics and rat-resistant home composting systems, the discussion was made richer by everyone sharing their own challenges and successes. Many members of our community have been composting food waste for years, or are compost educators themselves. Of the food waste that isn't composted, much still avoids the landfill thanks to our beloved chickens, pigs, and goats. Lopez Solid Waste recently collected a short food waste survey — 139 total responses both online and in-person — and about 66% of respondents said they throw less than half of their food waste in the trash. More than 70% said they compost at home. Most who compost use a closed bin system, of which there are many types, but many of us combine systems in ways that work best for our spaces and the types of food waste we generate. Open piles work great for some, worm bins are best for others. So why don't we all compost? 20% of respondents wrote that they don't experience any barriers to composting food waste, but about the same number of folks cited rodents as the reason they don't compost more (or at all). Other top challenges included lack of space, uncertainty around their rental situation, no use for finished compost, and mobility. At LSWDD's class in February, we discussed several rodent-resistant composting systems, focusing on one in particular: dig-in steel can composters. We visited a three-can system that's been used to compost food waste for about four years, successfully keeping out both rats and raccoons. Participants took home free steel can composters, courtesy of our friends at Solid Waste Alternatives Program (SWAP), to try at home. However, these types of composters don't work for everyone — maybe you don't have a yard where you can dig one in, or your landlord has a policy against them. If you want to throw less food in the garbage, chances are there's someone on Lopez composting in a way that would work for you. About 37% of survey respondents are interested in learning more about home composting — some are brand-new to composting and looking for an introduction, while others expressed their desire to connect with other composters and tackle challenges together. So, in addition to hosting a second "composting for beginners" class this spring, we've also carved out an evening at the Grange to bring the composters of Lopez together! Home Composting for Beginners SATURDAY, MAY 10 • 2 to 3:30pm For those new to home composting! Learn compost basics & rodent-resistant systems. Take home a free sig-in steel can composter, courtesy of SWAP. Location near village & space is limited so registration is required . Register by emailing sarahr@lopezsolidwaste.org . Compost Knowledge Share at the Grange WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 • 5 to 7pm Join compost educators & fellow composters to share experiences, ask questions, celebrate successes, & troubleshoot challenges. Arrive & leave as able. Light refreshments provided by SWAP! Questions? Email sarahr@lopezsolidwaste.org .

Join fellow Lopezians on April 12 to clean up our shared beaches and roadways! Once in the spring and once in the fall, San Juan County organizes community clean-ups on Lopez, Orcas, Shaw, and San Juan. This spring, our neighbors are holding their events on April 26, but since that's Tour de Lopez weekend, we'll be gathering on April 12! Here's how it works: Check-in and pick a route at Lopez Village Park from 10 to 11 a.m. Equipment and coffee/tea provided! Don your high-vis gear & safety gloves and hit the road/beach to pick up litter! Pay special attention to tiny plastic litter, like nurdles . Drop-off litter at Lopez Solid Waste (the Dump) from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Follow "GICU" signs to drop-off area! Disposing of litter collected from public spaces is free at the Dump, paid for by San Juan County. Learn more> Questions about the Great Islands Clean-Up? Email sarahr@lopezsolidwaste.org .