About Us

Celebrating 12 years of Lopez Solid Waste, Lopez Island's community-led and operated solid waste disposal facility!

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In 2012, after San Juan County elected to cease operating solid waste facilities and invite commercial companies to take over, Lopez residents worked together to ensure that the health of our community and shared home would come before profit. 1,418 Lopez voters, property owners, and community members signed a petition to establish Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District — a community-led and operated waste disposal system.

LSWDD is led, staffed, and sustained by Lopez residents — our dedicated crew of staff and volunteers enable us to provide low-cost garbage disposal, free self-sorted recycling, and free exchange of reusables at Take It Or Leave It (TIOLI). ​​We operate under a Governing Board (San Juan County Council) and a five-member Managing Board. Today, LSWDD employs nine part-time staff and relies on a dynamic team of volunteers.​

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