Free Recycling

Save money and reduce waste by recycling the items below instead of throwing them in the garbage. Yes, recycling is complicated — but together, we can significantly reduce the waste we send to the landfill!

Mixed Paper

Clean paper, newsprint, books, envelopes, egg cartons, paper bags, and thin non-corrugated cardboard.
NO plastic or plastic-lined paper products. NO paper contaminated with food, grease, or oil.

Corrugated Cardboard

Clean corrugated cardboard. Important: Corrugated cardboard has a wavy middle layer. If the item doesn't have a wavy middle layer, is goes in Mixed Paper recycling.
NO waxed, dirty, or stained cardboard.

Shredded Paper

MUST BE contained in a paper bag that is taped or stapled closed.

Plastic Bottles

(Bottles and jugs only — see below for a list of plastic bottles we accept.)

MUST BE clean and empty.
NO caps or lids — these go in the garbage.
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.

The following types of plastic bottles can be recycled at Lopez Solid Waste:

#1 PET: Clear & lightly tinted plastic bottles. NO dark-tinted bottles. NO prescription bottles.
#2 HDPE: Cloudy plastic bottles & jugs, like plastic milk jugs. (Important: Some cloudy plastic bottles are not #2 plastic.)
#2 HDPE: Solid white & color bottles & jugs. NO motor oil or hazardous material containers.

Lopez Solid Waste cannot recycle:

Plastic bags or plastic film
#3-7 mixed plastics
Some #1 & #2 plastics that don't meet the above criteria
Vinyl plastic bags or Visqueen
Bubble wrap — Reusable bubble wrap may be accepted at TIOLI, if capacity allows.
Clean lumber wrap
Plastic bags for feed, compost, fertilizer, or hazardous materials
Woven plastic

Glass

Glass bottles and jars only.
NO lids, corks, or tops — these must be thrown in the garbage.
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

Aluminum cans and lids — use a magnet to confirm material — aluminum does not stick to a magnet. NO aerosol or pressurized aluminum containers — these are hazardous.
Clean and flattened aluminum foil and clean aluminum trays and pans. NO colored foil or peel-off container lids.
Steel cans and lids. Use a magnet to confirm material — steel will stick to a magnet. NO aerosol or pressurized steel containers — these are hazardous.
Pure scrap steel and iron.
Pure scrap aluminum, brass, copper, bronze, and stainless steel (sorted into the proper bins).
Electrical wire — insulated, bare copper, or aluminum.
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

NO gasoline or water-contaminated fluids will be accepted.
Empty containers cannot be recycled, even if clean.

The following fluids can be recycled at Solid Waste:

Motor oil — 5-gallon limit per day.
Hydraulic fluid
Kerosene
Transmission fluid
Diesel fuel — 5-gallon limit per day.
Antifreeze, used or new — 5-gallon limit per day.

Batteries

Rechargeable batteries including lead acid car batteries, portable power tool batteries, cell phone, and portable device batteries can be recycled. Do not place these items in household garbage. Notify the kiosk attendant and follow instructions.
NO non-rechargeable alkaline batteries.

Personal 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.
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.