Lopez Solid Waste

09/05/2026

Join our team!

Lopez Solid Waste is hiring a part-time Operations Assistant who can help us provide safe, efficient, and sustainable waste management on Lopez Island, and support our highly valued recycling and reuse programs!

• 20-24 hours per week; Must be able to work weekends
• $36.75 per hour
• Benefits: Dental and vision insurance, monthly healthcare stipend, retirement, four paid holidays, paid time off

Operations Assistants perform various operations tasks on-site including site set-up and clean-up; operating the backhoe, forklift, and baler; directing site traffic; transacting with customers and answering questions about LSWDD; interacting with visitors at TIOLI; supporting fellow staff and volunteers; and more.

This job requires frequent and strenuous physical activity, all outdoors. Operations Assistants must be able to stand and walk for long periods of time, must be able to frequently lift, lower, push, and pull items up to 50 lbs. You must be able to operate or learn how to operate LSWDD equipment including forklift and backhoe and maintain all necessary licenses.

To apply, send your resume and a letter of interest to our Facility Manager: [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

08/21/2026

UPDATE!

Lopez Solid Waste is **extending** our summer hours through the month of September, including Labor Day!

Friday – Monday
10 AM – 3 PM

We'll return to off-peak hours on Friday, October 2.

Thank you!

Send a message to learn more

08/14/2026

It’s another beautiful day at the Dump!

Lopez Solid Waste is open for garbage and recycling Friday through Monday, 10am to 3pm.

Take It Or Leave It is open for shopping on Fridays & Sundays, and donating on Saturdays & Mondays.

Find our fees, policies, and more information at lopezsolidwaste.org.

08/07/2026

Please rinse your recyclables before you bring them to the dump!

All of our recycling partners require that recyclables are clean for processing. Recycling loads contaminated with dirt, mold, food, or other debris risk being sent to the landfill! Not to mention, dirty recyclables pose a safety risk for our staff, volunteers, and neighbors on-site — especially now that the wasps are out and about.

As a rule of thumb, you shouldn't be able to scoop any leftover food or liquid residue from the inside of a recyclable container. Thanks Lopez!

Find more recycling and zero-waste resources at https://plasticfreesalishsea.org/resources/

07/29/2026

Sign up for the Dump's e-newsletter! Receive updates about operations, events, and programs, and learn more about waste disposal on Lopez Island.

Click here to sign up:
https://mailchi.mp/lopezsolidwaste/lopez-solid-waste-email-sign-up

07/22/2026

Let's talk: Monday afternoons at the dump!

Especially in the summers, Monday afternoons at the dump get *very* busy. There are so many different reasons for this — some neighbors can't visit the dump on weekends due to work, family, or travel schedules. At the same time, lots of vacationers making their way off-island need to off-load their weekend trash!

While our team works to understand the community's seasonal needs, and to meet these needs and ensure we have the right resources to manage periods of high traffic, there are also ways that visitors and neighbors can help us out:

1) SORT YOUR RECYCLABLES AT HOME. Our volunteers do their best to help customers quickly sort their plastic bottles, glass bottles, and metal cans into the proper bins. And we love opportunities to connect with neighbors on-site! However, during busy periods, it's important to move quickly through the recycling area. Sort your recyclables ahead of time so that you can move efficiently on-site and make room for the next customers.

2) FIND OTHER WAYS TO SHARE ITEMS FOR FREE. Instead of bringing all of your unused items to TIOLI, share some of them via Buy Nothing or Lopez Rocks. Set up a "free table" or yard sale. Check in with local families and non-profits about any needs they might have. Bring items to any of the great thrift stores or organizations on the mainland, which might have greater capacity! We love providing TIOLI as a space for exchange and reuse; however, we often don't have enough space or labor to accept *all* of the great stuff our residents and visitors want to share during the busy season. Thank you for understanding!

3) If your schedule and needs allow, consider planning your Monday afternoon dump run for a different day or time. We understand this isn't always possible, and at the end of the day, Lopez Solid Waste belongs to all of us! Our team is always investigating ways to better understand and meet Lopez Island's needs as they exist today.

4) EXPLORE OUR WEBSITE, where we've posted lots of guidelines and information about how to use the dump. Read through these pages before you visit, and reach out with any questions: [email protected]

Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District | Recycling, Garbage, Hazardous Waste.

07/10/2026

Are you a San Juan County resident? Fill out this quick survey about waste tires to help inform future collection events!

bit.ly/sjcwastetires

07/10/2026

Are you a San Juan County resident? Take this quick survey about waste tires to help inform future collection events!

Old tires aren’t just an eyesore. They’re a fire hazard, and they can leach pollutants into the same waters our salmon depend on. Getting them out of yards and ditches is a small step that adds up to a real difference for our islands.

We are considering a waste tire amnesty collection event in partnership with the Department of Ecology for private residents, which would help offset disposal costs.

Take our 2-minute survey to tell us how many tires you have and where you’re located (all islands are encouraged to respond): bit.ly/sjcwastetires

Please respond by July 31.

Questions? Reach out to Katie Fleming at [email protected] or 360-762-5821.

07/08/2026

We have GREAT news: LSWDD has added a second roll-off truck to our fleet! 🚛

This is a major accomplishment, enabling the team to manage our community’s waste reliably, safely, and efficiently. We are processing more and more waste every year as our community grows, all within the same small facility — a second roll-off truck means that we can continue to do this, and do it well, for years to come.

This purchase was possible thanks to our committed and knowledgeable staff, and funding from the annual LSWDD Levy supported by all of YOU. We couldn’t have done it without you. 💚

Thank you, Lopez, for your steadfast support of the dump. Our team is proud to put in the work that keeps the lights on, tackles emerging challenges, and sustains essential community services!