Mattawa solid waste drop box to stay open

MATTAWA — The garbage collection facility maintained by Grant County in the Mattawa area, also called a drop box, will stay open.

Grant County Commissioners on Aug. 3 approved a recommendation to retain the drop box, which is about 2 miles south of Mattawa off state Route 243.

The Mattawa drop box was one of two left in the county, and in late 2020 the county’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee recommended closing it. Public works director Sam Castro said in an earlier interview it’s located on land leased by Grant County, and as a result is more expensive to operate. The rates charged in 2020 didn’t cover the cost, and it was losing money, he said.

The proposed closure drew considerable reaction from Mattawa-area residents. About 50 people submitted oral or written comments during a February public hearing, most asking to retain the drop box.

In a letter to commissioners July 15, Castro said the drop box was showing a narrow profit and could pay for its operation in the second quarter of 2021.

Castro said more people were using the facility in the second quarter. The drop box recorded 367 transactions from March to June, an increase of about 29 transactions per month when compared with the same period in 2020.

“It’s a big increase,” Castro said.

Commissioners approved a fee increase in late 2020, which took effect in March 2021, and included a rate increase at the drop box.

Castro recommended leaving it open.

“I think this is good news for everyone,” Castro said.

Port of Mattawa Director Lars Leland said leaving the facility open will provide a short-term solution to the problem of garbage disposal in the Mattawa area. That will give some time to find a longer-term solution, Leland said. Port officials are studying some options, Leland said, but don’t have any plans.