Beginning on Oct. 3, the Transfer Stations on Orcas and San Juan Islands will be closed on Saturdays to reduce the Solid Waste Utility’s operating costs. The Utility’s revenue has dropped this year because it is receiving and handling less solid waste.

Both transfer stations will continue to be open to all customers Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and on Sundays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The elimination of Saturday hours will reduce the cost of operating the two solid waste facilities by approximately $40,000 per year.

On Lopez Island, the Solid Waste Utility expects to reduce costs by approximately $45,000 per year by switching from customer-sorted recycling to the co-mingled recycling system already used on Orcas and San Juan Island.

According to Utility Manager Ed Hale, handling co-mingled recycling is much less labor intensive than the current baling and transportation operation used on Lopez, and is just as effective at reclaiming recyclable materials. In fact, he noted some types of plastics can be included in co-mingled recycling that cannot be recycled through the current system.

A public information meeting will be held on Lopez Island before co-mingled recycle begins.