Raise a Glass to Recycling
 We’re excited to share some good news for Earth Month—and just in time for Earth Day on April 22nd! Starting Friday, April 18, 2025, Skagit County Transfer Stations will once again accept glass bottles and jars for recycling. After an eight-month pause due to the closure of a regional glass manufacturer, a Seattle-based recycler has secured new markets, making it possible to resume this important service.
Residents can drop off clean, mixed-color household glass at any of the County’s three transfer stations—free of charge.
- Please remember: window pane and auto glass are not accepted.
- If you receive curbside recycling service, continue placing your glass bottles and jars in your curbside bin as usual.
Let’s keep working together for a cleaner, greener Skagit County!
Ask a Recycler
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Dear Skagit County Solid Waste,
I’ve been doing a bunch of research this past week about recycling, and I keep running into one confusing question:
Should I leave the caps on plastic bottles or not?
Back in 2012, we were told to take the caps off because they were made of different materials and caused problems with the recycling process—like making it harder to crush the bottles.
But now, I’m hearing that it might be okay to leave them on? If that’s true, what changed? Did the recycling process improve somehow, or is this just a myth?
I’d love to know what the current best practice is—and why.
Thanks!
- Cap-tivated and Confused
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Dear Cap-tivated and Confused,
Ah yes, the age-old recycling riddle: to twist or untwist, that is the question! While the rules may feel like they’re constantly changing (and let’s be honest, they kind of are), when it comes to bottle caps, I still stand firmly on Team "Take It Off."
Here’s why: Those tiny lids—especially ones under 5 inches—are notorious troublemakers in the world of recycling. They can jam up machinery, escape sorting systems like little plastic ninjas, and are usually made from a different type of plastic than the bottles they seal. Basically, they're the mismatched socks of the recycling world.
Now, you might hear whispers of newfangled systems saying it’s okay to leave them on. And sure, in some places with some facilities, there's a bit of wiggle room. But unless we get a direct update from somewhere like WM Cascade Recycling Center in Woodinville (and hey, maybe we should check!), it’s safest—and best—for the quality of the recycled material to just remove the lid first.
BUT (and this is a big but)—whatever you do, don’t pop that loose lid into your recycling bin solo. That’s how they sneak into places they shouldn’t. Instead:
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Reuse them (hello, lid art project)
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Collect them for special recycling programs like Ridwell
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Or if all else fails, toss them in the trash
So for now, twist them off, keep them out of the recycling bin, and pat yourself on the back for being a recycling Rockstar.
Uncapping the truth,
- The Skagit County Solid Waste Division
Learn About What You Throw Out
Looking for an easy way to cut back on food waste and save money? Try keeping a clipboard near your kitchen compost bin! This simple habit can help you track what you’re tossing and uncover patterns in your food habits.
By writing down what goes into your compost, you can spot trends—like tossing out wilted veggies, uneaten leftovers, or forgotten fruit—and use that info to fine-tune your grocery shopping, meal planning, and food storage.
Here’s how to get started:
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Pick your tracking style:
Use a simple list, a table (fruits, veggies, leftovers, etc.), or a journal where you jot down what and why you’re composting.
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Make it a routine:
Take a minute each day, before a shopping trip or after a fridge clean out—to record what you’re throwing out.
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Look for patterns:
After a few weeks, review your notes. Are you consistently wasting the same items? Do certain seasons bring more waste?
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Make small changes:
Use what you’ve learned to adjust your habits. For example, if leftovers are a repeat offender, try freezing extra portions or planning a weekly “leftover night.”
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Share what you learn:
Talk with your family about what you’re noticing. Getting everyone on board can turn food waste tracking into a team effort—and help your whole household waste less and save more.
A little awareness goes a long way when it comes to reducing waste and supporting a more sustainable kitchen!
County Connection Podcast, Episode 008.2, "Recycling in Washington is About to Change"
Join in for an insightful conversation with Travis Dutton, Policy Coordinator for the Washington State Association of Counties, as we break down the newly passed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) bill. Learn what this landmark legislation means for recycling in Washington, how it will impact communities, and what changes to expect in the coming months.
Check out our official press release for the latest updates on glass recycling collection at county-operated recycling facilities.
Earth Day Events Around the County
Each season the Solid Waste Division's Education & Outreach team offers chances to learn methods for making less garbage. We'll also highlight other local events focused on reducing waste, repair and repurposing materials. Get your recycling, composting, and waste reduction questions answered, and take home materials to help you succeed. Catch us this month at a local event or free workshop near you!
Saturday, April 26th
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Downtown Anacortes on Commercial Ave from 4th to 8th St.
FREE
Celebrate creativity, community, and the natural world at the Procession of the Species & Environmental Street Fair on Saturday from 4-7 PM! Led by the Procession of the Species and Friends of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands, with support from the Downtown Anacortes Alliance, this lively event transforms downtown into a hub of art, music, and environmental action.
Over 20 organizations will host interactive activities, inviting attendees to engage with hands-on experiences for families. Explore sustainability initiatives, get creative with art projects, and learn how to make a difference for the planet.
Enjoy exciting performances, including the End Fast Fashion Show, showcasing sustainable style. The event’s highlight—the Procession of the Species—brings over a hundred people dressed as plants and animals parading joyfully through the streets from 4th to 8th Street on Commercial. Don’t miss this vibrant, family-friendly celebration!
Saturday, April 19th
10: 00 am - 3:30 pm
Deception Pass State Park, 41229 State Rte 20, Oak Harbor
Event located at West Beach
FREE
Join us this Earth Day at one of the park’s most cherished spots – West Beach! This year’s celebration will shine a spotlight on the vital role our sand dunes play in protecting shorelines and supporting native ecosystems.
Did you know the sand dunes at Deception Pass are one of the few remaining of their kind in the Puget Sound? Unfortunately, much of the dune grass covering them today is non-native, making it tough for native species like yellow sand verbena to thrive.
Come be a part of the solution! Help us restore these unique dunes to their natural state and learn more about the fascinating ecosystem right in our backyard.
The event will include fun activities for everyone to enjoy including a bird walk, a dune walk, a microplastics activity and a Gray Whale skull! The afternoon will be dedicated to restoring our dunes by pulling the non-native dune grass.
Coffee, snacks, and lunch will be provided.
Register here
 Saturday, April 26th
9 am - 1 pm
Edgewater Park, 656 Behrens Millett Rd, Mt Vernon
FREE
Join us for a fun and meaningful Earth Day Celebration Edgewater Park! Hosted in partnership with Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation and the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group, this event is all about giving back to nature and connecting with our local environment.
 Get your hands dirty for a good cause! Volunteer to plant trees, add native plants, and remove invasive ivy alongside Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group. Sign up to volunteer here!
 Think you’re the ultimate ivy wrangler? Compete in our Ivy-Pulling Competition for a chance to win prizes for the longest strands of ivy pulled! Categories for youth and adults—let’s see who can clear the most!
- Experience wildlife up close! Enjoy live reptile and raptor presentations from expert educators.
- Explore local environmental action! Meet with 10+ local organizations working to protect and restore our natural spaces.
- Compete in the "Worm Off" to win a tasty dirt cup (pudding + gummy worms) from Skagit Table!
- Build your perfect snack at the free Make-Your-Own Trail Mix Bar, sponsored by Skagit Food Co-op.
- Fun for all ages!
Come celebrate our planet with hands-on activities, fascinating wildlife, and a chance to make a difference in our community. No registration required—just bring your enthusiasm for the environment!
Saturday, April 26th
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
900 E Fairhaven Ave, Burlington
FREE
Held 1x per year in the spring it's Thriftopia! Are you leaning into frugality while recycling or repurposing? This event is for you! The Parks and Rec Building will be brimming with new-ish and gently used items from local vendors to create the ultimate community flea market block party. Burlington Parks and Recreation is partnering with Burlington Public Library and the Burlington Senior Center for the ultimate trifecta of shopping: Thriftopia Flea Market Block Party, Friends of the Library Used Book Sale and Kids Giant Garage Sale.
 Tuesday, April 22nd
During store hours
Skagit Valley Food Coop, Mount Vernon
FREE
Every year, the Co-op celebrates Earth Day with a Free Tree giveaway. Come get a free tree from Bellingham-based Fourth Corner Nurseries! We know you want to plant an entire forest, but one tree per customer, please.
Varieties this year include:
- Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
- Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii)
- Bitter Cherry (Prunus emarginata)
And! If you bring in your own reusable shopping bag for your Co-op shopping trip, we’ll give you TWO Tokens for Tomorrow instead of one, to donate to a local non-profit organization: Skagit PFLAG, Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland, Sound Water Stewards, and La Conner Community News.
 Bulk Food Sale
Tuesday, April 22nd through Saturday, April 26th
During store hours
Skagit Valley Food Coop, Mount Vernon
Earth Day Sale! 20% OFF all bulk items. Shop the bulk aisle for coffee, tea, spices, snacks, baking supplies, honey, and more. And don't forget to bring your reusable containers to shop! Shopping bulk is going green! Reduce waste by purchasing only what you need. Sale is limited to stock on hand. Excludes special orders, water, & olives
Wednesday, March 19th
Wednesday, March 26th
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
The Church of God
638 Sunset Park Drive Suite 135
Sedro-Woolley, WA
FREE Clothes for ALL every Wednesday 5pm-6pm at The Church of God Sedro-Woolley, WA 638 Sunset Park Drive, Suite 135 Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284. For any questions you may send a text message or call 360-503-9465. Lots of Hoodies, Coats, Tops -short and long sleeve, and Jeans for ALL- Men, Women, Boys and Girls!
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