San Juan County's first hazardous waste collection ("round-up") was held in 1989, yielding an unexpectedly high 23 tons of toxic, flammable, corrosive, and reactive chemical waste from island households and businesses. As of the end of 2010 the county's Hazardous Waste Project has collected over 342 tons of waste chemical products that were safely transported by certified contractors to the mainland for proper disposal.

Collections on San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, Waldron and Shaw Islands are announced in local newspapers and on our web page as they are scheduled. Please call in your questions to Helen Venada, Hazardous Waste Coordinator, 360-370-0503.

As of January 1, 2011 households are charged a minimum fee of $12.00 for up to 200 pounds of hazardous waste (the equivalent of about 25 gallons); quantities over 200 pounds will cost $.06/pound. *Since most latex paints are not designated as "hazardous," residents are encouraged to either evaporate or solidify their unusable latex paint with sawdust for regular solid waste disposal. As an alternative, the HHW project accepts latex at $2.00 per gallon at this time.

Island small quantity generating businesses (SQG's) are invited to participate in annual or semi-annual disposal events at substantially lower cost than if they were to individually manage their hazardous waste. Businesses are currently charged $5 per gallon or $270 per 55-gallon drum. SQG's receive notice of collection dates by phone, news releases and this web page.

The Project provides education to encourage island residents and businesses to reduce hazardous waste generation by selecting non-toxic or

For more information please contact Helen Venada (360) 370-0503 /td>