Solid waste fees to go up Sept. 1

Fees at Skagit County’s transfer station will increase Sept. 1, a decision approved by the Skagit County Commissioners in June on recommendation of the county’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the Solid Waste System Governance Board.

The new solid waste rates:

• General solid waste at the Ovenell Road and Sauk transfer stations will be $137 per ton.

• The minimum charge for general solid waste will be $27 for the first 360 pounds.

• Appliances will be $13 per item, $33 for those with freon.

Recycling and hazardous waste disposal are free for households.

In 2023, the county commissioners approved a contract with a new vendor, Waste Management, to provide long-haul transport and disposal of all solid waste collected at the Skagit County transfer station. The two bids submitted for the contract had a 40% increase in transport and disposal costs over the previous contract. The Skagit County Public Works then conducted a solid waste rate study to ensure rates were sufficient to stay solvent.

Information: skagitcounty.net/Departments/PublicWorksSolidWaste/main.htm.

Source: Skagit County government