Swinomish
Office of Planning &
Community Development
LACONNER, WA, USA

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE & MANAGEMENT

Free Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

While it is very easy to blame business and industry for polluting the environment with chemical wastes, it is true that households dispose of about 2 million tons of chemicals each year. Most of these chemicals, such as left-over pesticides, paints, thinners, cleaners, bad gas, and motor oil, are improperly disposed of in the ground, garbage or local waterways.

This practice, which is usually unseen, creates great harm to human health and the environment.

In Skagit County, all of your household hazardous wastes can be properly disposed of conveniently and at no cost. One week every month, you may take your household hazardous wastes to the collection center located at the Skagit County Solid Waste Transfer Station, at the corners of Ovenell Road and Farm-to-Market Road, off Route 20.

The schedule for drop-off is on the first Tuesday of each month, through that Saturday, from 8:30 –3:30 each day; that's 5 days every month. You can call them there at 424-9532, and they will help if you have any questions. Remember, for safety, to make sure that your household hazardous wastes are packaged so that they won't spill on the way.

It is a good thing to keep our chemicals out of the environment. Tell a friend!

HazMat Collection Center at the Swinomish Fisherman's Dock

Along with other efforts to protect the health of the community and the environment, a new HazMat Collection Center was opened in 2002 at the Swinomish Fisherman's Dock. Swinomish Fishermen can now properly dispose of used motor oil, antifreeze, solvents, oil and fuel filters, and other wastes that are generated from marine sources. The Collection Center also includes sanitary facilities and garbage dumpsters. In addition to being used for waste disposal, the absorbent booms and pads are also stored here in case they are needed to clean up a spill.