The final step in a process allowing a crushed glass and concrete-only landfill on Lopez Island was completed this week by the San Juan County Council.

The floor was opened for public testimony at a June 7 public hearing, but none was offered.

“I believe it’s the right thing to do for Lopez, and glass is always going to be an issue, until there’s a way to recycle it that is economically feasible, and this will take care of filling in an existing rock quarry,” said District 1 councilman Bob Jarman. “It’s a good use for the glass in my opinion, and it works out well for the citizens of Lopez Island.”

Because the market for used glass is currently depressed, much of it does not get recycled, and it has been cumbersome and costly to dispose of. The ordinance passed by the council adopted an amendment to the San Juan County Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan and amended San Juan County Code 8.12.030 to allow just one site-specific, inert waste landfill on Lopez Island that will serve the dual purpose of filling in an old sand and gravel pit owned by Lopez Sand and Gravel.

As a former sand and gravel pit, the facility already has a reclamation permit from the state Department of Natural Resources allowing them to fill in the removed areas with inert fill. They have been using that permit to backfill with crushed glass and concrete, but before reaching a certain volume, the facility was required to obtain a solid waste permit. So the Lopez Solid Waste District asked the department of public works for the amendment. Solid waste program administrator Mark Herrenkohl has been spearheading the effort along with public works director Brian Vincent. There are no other operating landfills in San Juan County, and the amendment does not authorize any additional landfills.