County no longer wants your old electronics

EVERETT — Snohomish County’s solid waste division is pulling out of a popular state program for recycling electronics — only months after it got started.

It’s one of several cost-cutting measures at a time of falling trash revenues. The county also plans to discontinue latex-paint recycling, shorten operating hours at transfer stations and close some rural sites for dropping off trash. The cutbacks take effect June 28.

“The downturn of the economy is so dramatic,” county solid waste director Matt Zybas said. “We’re feeling the pain just like everybody else is.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Trash volumes have declined along with consumer spending. Earlier this year, the county’s solid-waste division realized that it would likely fall $12 million short of projected revenues. That forced administrators to slim their budget to $46 million from $58 million.

The E-Cycle Washington program, created through a 2006 state law, was designed to make electronics manufacturers pay for product disposal. In Snohomish County, the program had been more successful than expected since starting this year. Through April, the county contributed 2.1 million pounds of consumer products, about 17 percent of the state total.

More than 20 sites in the county accepted old appliances, computer parts and stereo equipment, including three county transfer stations. Others are Goodwill stores, PC Recycle stores and businesses specializing in computer recycling.

The county was getting enough money to cover costs. The problem, Zybas said, arose from too many people dropping off electronics. They just didn’t have enough people to handle electronics as well as other more traditional recycling of glass, aluminum and newspapers.

The Washington Material Management and Financing Authority, the manufacturer-funded group that runs E-Cycle, plans to find new collection sites, particularly near Arlington.

“Without additional sites, we would make it. I don’t know that it would be convenient,” executive director John Friedrick said.

Not all county governments participate, Friedrick said. The transfer stations were successful because they took in electronics from people who might not have known about the program.

Before this year, the county charged residents between $10 and $24 dollars to discard electronics, depending on the item. There are no plans to return to that system, Zybas said.

Another casualty of the solid-waste cutbacks is a program for recycling latex paint. Instead, residents should dry out paint cans and put them in the trash with the lids off.

Other cutbacks could inconvenience rural customers. Rural drop boxes in Oso and Gold Bar, open one day a week, are set to close.

“The question is will that create an increase in illegal dumping?” Councilman Brian Sullivan asked.

Zybas said staff would monitor illegal dumping. Boxes in Dubuque, Sultan and Granite Falls are to remain open.

Solid-waste jobs are disappearing, too. Recently, 32 workers received pink slips, Zybas said. The division lost 38 budgeted positions.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465 or nhaglund@heraldnet.com.

Recycling changes

Electronics won’t be accepted for recycling at three Snohomish County waste-transfer stations starting June 28. For other locations, search “electronics” at www.snoco.org or call 425-388-3425.

Latex paint recycling is being discontinued on the same date. Dried cans should go in the garbage. To dry paint more quickly, mix it with unused cat litter, sawdust, dirt, shredded paper or paint hardener.

Hours of operation at county recycling and transfer-station hours are being shortened. Neighborhood drop boxes in Gold Bar and Oso are closing. For specific times, search “solid waste” on www.snoco.org.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Aaron Weinstock uses an x-ray machine toy inside the Imagine Children Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Imagine Children’s Museum $250k grant reinstated following federal court order

The federal grant supports a program that brings free science lessons to children throughout rural Snohomish County.

Snohomish County 911 Executive Director Kurt Mills talks about the improvements made in the new call center space during a tour of the building on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New 911 center in Everett built to survive disaster

The $67.5 million facility brings all emergency staff under one roof with seismic upgrades, wellness features and space to expand.

Everett
Five arrested in connection with Everett toddler’s 2024 overdose death

More than a year after 13-month-old died, Everett police make arrests in overdose case.

Madison Family Shelter Family Support Specialist Dan Blizard talks about one of the pallet homes on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Madison Family Shelter reopens after hiatus

The Pallet shelter village, formerly Faith Family Village, provides housing for up to eight families for 90 days.

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Everett Historic Theater owner Curtis Shriner inside the theater on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Historic Everett Theatre sale on horizon, future uncertain

With expected new ownership, events for July and August will be canceled. The schedule for the fall and beyond is unclear.

Traffic moves north and south along the southbound side of the Highway 529 after the northbound lanes were closed due to a tunnel on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Southbound 529 to close near Marysville for four days for bridge work

WSDOT said the 24-hour-a-day closure is necessary to allow contractors to perform work on the aging Steamboat Slough Bridge.

The Edmonds City Council gathers to discuss annexing into South County Fire on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Community group presents vision for Edmonds’ fiscal future

Members from Keep Edmonds Vibrant suggested the council focus on revenue generation and a levy lid lift to address its budget crisis.

People listen as the Marysville School Board votes to close an elementary and a middle school in the 2025-26 school year while reconfiguring the district’s elementary schools to a K-6 model on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville schools audit shows some improvement

Even though the district still faces serious financial problems, the findings are a positive change over last year, auditors said.

The Washington state Capitol on April 18. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
‘I’m pretty upset’: WA lawmaker wants to override governor’s veto of his bill

State lawmakers delivered 423 bills to Gov. Bob Ferguson this year and… Continue reading

Ellis Johnson, 16, left, and brother Garrett Johnson, 13, take a breather after trying to find enough water to skim board on without sinking into the sand during opening day of Jetty Island on Friday, July 5, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Epic ways to spice up your summer

Your ultimate guide to adventure, fun and reader-approved favorites!

Sarah and Cole Rinehardt, owners of In The Shadow Brewing, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In The Shadow Brewing: From backyard brews to downtown cheers

Everything seems to have fallen into place at the new taproom location in downtown Arlington

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.