Editor’s note: For an update on this article, read “Friday Harbor re-establishes collection of commingled recyclables.”

Submitted by the Town of Friday Harbor

The Town of Friday Harbor will discontinue curbside recycling pickup effective Nov. 22.

This will not affect customers of San Juan Sanitation in the county. Lautenbach Industries takes the town’s refuse to the Cowlitz County landfill and, until recently, transported the town’s recycled materials to Recology in Seattle. Two weeks ago the town was notified that Recology was no longer accepting recyclables because China was no longer accepting most U.S. co-mingled materials. China accounted for the purchase of approximately 30 percent of all domestic recycling.

The town and Lautenbach representatives have made a diligent search for another company to take recycled materials, both in Washington and Canada.

To date they have been unable to find a replacement company as the market has tightened with the loss of China as a customer. As a result, the town will have to discontinue its curb-side co-mingled recycling pick-up service as noted above. The town will continue to look for a source to accept their materials.

In the interim, Lautenbach Industries has announced that it will accept source separated materials at the Sutton Road refuse facility effective immediately.

Residents can drive their recyclable materials to the refuse station and will be charged $3 per can or equivalent to dispose of the materials. There is currently no established market for glass or plastics, so it will therefore not be accepted until further notice.

Lautenbach has informed the town that they are close to an arrangement to take No. 1 and No. 2 plastic (soda and milk cartons). This situation is evolving quickly and the town will do what it can to find additional solutions and keep residents informed of the status.

For more information call the town at 360-378-2810.