Annual Hazardous Waste Round-Ups Scheduled

BUSINESSES must pre-register by sending in a list of the materials two weeks before the collection date.

— from Stan Matthews —

This year, San Juan County’s Hazardous Waste Round-up will give local residents a no-cost opportunity to dispose of up to 25 gallons of surplus or waste materials that are poisonous, flammable or otherwise unsafe or illegal to dispose of normally.

The 2014 HOUSEHOLD Hazardous Waste Round-ups are scheduled at the solid waste facilities on:

• ORCAS ISLAND – SATURDAY, APRIL 12 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• SAN JUAN ISLAND – SATURDAY, APRIL 26 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• LOPEZ ISLAND – SATURDAY, JUNE 21 – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year, disposal costs for the first 25 gallons of waste per household are being paid by the San Juan County Solid Waste Division and Washington Department of Ecology.

BUSINESSES must pre-register by sending in a list of the materials two weeks before the collection date. Call 370-0534 for a copy of the business registration materials.

• Orcas and Lopez businesses should come on the same Saturday as residents with household waste, but may come an hour early.
• San Juan Island only – Businesses should come on FRIDAY, APRIL 25 – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Materials that will be accepted are: Pesticides and other poisons; gasoline and other waste fuels; wood preservatives, oil-based paints and stains; resins, solvents and thinners; pool and photo chemicals; polishes, degreasers, cleaning products and mothballs; fluorescent light tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs—used as light bulbs).

Please do not bring:

• Flares, explosives, ammunition, or radioactive materials – contact the Sheriff’s Office.
• Used antifreeze, motor oil, and vehicle batteries – recycle at your island’s solid waste facility during regular business hours – unless the motor fluids are contaminated. Then they should be disposed as hazardous waste.
• Latex paint – Dry it out or mix with something like sawdust so that it is solid with and dispose with regular solid waste.
• On Orcas and San Juan Islands, unbroken Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) can also be delivered to your OPALCO office for free recycling.
• Children or pets. We want to keep them safe!

For more information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions, please refer to San Juan County Public Works Solid Waste Division website or contact Elizabeth Anderson, Solid Waste HHW Program Coordinator at 370-0534 or by email.