Contact:

April Leigh, Public Works Education and Outreach Supervisor, (360) 867-2375 or april.leigh@co.thurston.wa.us 

OLYMPIA – There will be limited hours of operation at Thurston County solid waste facilities April 16-17, 2022. 

• Saturday, April 16, 2022: The Waste and Recovery Center (WARC) in Lacey, WA will be closed, including the HazoHouse and Recycling Center. The drop-box facilities in Rainier, WA and Rochester, WA will be open during regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday, April 17, 2022: The drop-box facilities in Rainier, WA and Rochester, WA will be closed. The WARC in Lacey, WA, including the HazoHouse and Recycling Center will be open during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

The limited hours are due to a mechanical failure of trash compactor equipment, resulting in an overaccumulation of garbage at county facilities. 

“Garbage disposal is an essential service we’re committed to providing. We are working with contractors to ensure residents continue to have access to county facilities throughout the weekend, despite equipment challenges,” said Thurston County Public Works Solid Waste Division Manager, Jeff Bickford.

Curbside garbage service for Thurston County residents is not expected to be impacted by the change. Access and hours at the Closed Loop Park and the Off-Leash Dog Park near the WARC will also not be impacted. Both parks will be open throughout the weekend, dawn to dusk.

Thurston County Public Works operates the only solid waste disposal facilities in the county including the WARC in Lacey, WA and drop-box facilities in Rainier, WA and Rochester, WA. The facilities collectively process more than 21-thousand tons of waste each month. For more information, visit www.co.thurston.wa.us/solidwaste/   

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