FAQs

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Preparing Materials for Disposal

Styrofoam (TM)

Unfortunately, no recycling options are available in our area for Styrofoam™. Consider these reuse options:

Contact local postal, mailing and shipping outlets directly about accepting clean, dry Styrofoam™ packing "peanuts" for reuse.

Coolers and similar large packing blocks: Check with the company or organization that delivered or shipped them about taking the packaging back intact.

If you cannot find a reuse option, Styrofoam™ can be placed in your garbage for disposal. Please bag Styrofoam™ packing "peanuts" and other smaller pieces to prevent windblown litter.

Styrofoam is not accepted in the Food Plus! program. Please note this should you use Styrofoam as a filler in plant pots, vases, etc.

Lighting

SSC no longer accepts lighting products for recycling at our Bellingham Drop Box Facility & Recycling Center.

Non-working LED and incandescent bulbs can be placed in the garbage. If broken, handle carefully like any broken glass material.

Reminder: It is illegal to dispose of mercury-containing lights with regular garbage (RCW 70.275.080). For more info:LightRecycle Washington

Disposal of Toxics Facility

Hazardous Waste

SSC does not accept any kind of hazardous, toxic, radioactive or dangerous waste(s), ammunition, explosives, dead animals, CFL/fluorescent lights, old gasoline, solvents, antifreeze, asbestos, pesticides, any type of liquid paint, chemicals or hot ashes.

Note: hot ashes should never be placed in your Toter^® or can. Hot ashes are a fire hazard and should never be placed in a Toter® or can. Set in a metal can outside and away from buildings, structures or anything that can ignite. Let cool completely. Place COLD ashes in a bag and dispose of as garbage.

To dispose of these types of wastes, please contact Disposal of Toxics at 360-380-4640.

To dispose of ammunition or explosives (old boat flares, fireworks, etc.), contact the Washington State Patrol (Bellingham office) at 360-676-2007 or the Bellingham Police Department at 360-778-8800 for options.

Liquids

Small quantities of household liquids such as cooking oils and beauty products are acceptable.

SSC is unable to collect household hazardous liquids such as pesticides, paints, thinners, solvents, fuels or cooking oils from homes or businesses. Please contact the Disposal of Toxics at 360-380-4640 for safe disposal options.

Commercial establishments should contact a rendering service for disposal of cooking oils.

Fireworks

All used fireworks should be soaked in a bucket of water and then disposed of in your garbage.

To dispose of duds, unused fireworks or other ammunition or explosives (old boat flares, etc.), please contact one of these agencies for options:

• Washington State Patrol (Bellingham office) 360-676-2007
• Bellingham Police Department 360-778-8800

Gasoline

Old or dirty gasoline, as well as most used solvents, paint thinners, and similar products can be properly disposed of through Disposal of Toxics at 360-380-4640.

Reminder: Flammable and hazardous items should never be placed in garbage Toters or recycling bins, dumped on the ground or in storm drains.

Mirrors

Picture frame glass, also referred to as plate glass, and similar breakable items like ceramic dishware, drinking glasses, mirrors, PYREX, window glass and lightbulbs are not accepted for recycling. Please wrap in newspaper then place in a plastic bag and dispose of in your garbage.

Plate glass, and other non food and beverage container glass, melts at a different temperature than container glass and can't be separated once mixed in the recycling stream.

Oily Rags and old Shop Towels

Recycling or disposal options for oily rags and dirty shop towels depends on where they are generated:

Commercial Customers

Business generated hazardous waste is not accepted. Businesses should contact Disposal of Toxics.

Residential and Multi-Family Customers

Shop towels or rags contaminated with solvents, oil, etc. are potentially combustible and can pose a safety hazard for our drivers and fleet if not properly handled. These items can be safely disposed of in the trash if prepared properly:

Spread the rags flat in a single layer outside so any heat dissipates while they cure (become hard and brittle). Note: The time it takes to cure can vary depending on humidity, temperature and product.

Once cured, place in trash. Do not bag.

For more info about household hazardous waste disposal and recycling, visit Disposal of Toxics.

Cooking Oil

Residential customers can recycle used cooking oil at Disposal of Toxics or call 360-380-4640.

If drop off at Disposal of Toxics is not an option, and it is a small quantity, residential curbside customers may place used cooking oil in a sturdy plastic bottle, seal tightly and place in a plastic bag in garbage. Cooking oil must be cooled before placing in garbage.

Commercial customers can contact Disposal of Toxics for options.

Coffee Pods (aka Keurig K-Cups)

Single-use coffee pods cannot be recycled at this time because they are made of three materials: a plastic cup, which is lined with a plastic or heat-sealed paper filter, and a polyethylene-coated aluminum foil top.

Pet Waste

All pet waste should be bagged and disposed of in the trash.

Pet wastes are not accepted in the FoodPlus! program.

For more information:

City of Bellingham Scoop the Poop.

Whatcom County Scoop the Poop.

Mattresses

Mattresses beyond reuse or repair can be set out next to your garbage Toter® for pickup. Contact us for rates.

Other options include visiting one of our Drop Box Facility & Recycling Centers or our You Call-We Haul junk hauling service.

Tires

Tires can be set out next to your garbage Toter® for disposal. Extra fees apply and will appear on your next bill. Please contact us for an estimate or to schedule a pickup of multiple tires.

Metal rims can be placed next to curbside recycling bins as scrap metal (max wt. 35 lbs, max length 24”).

Tires and metal rims are also accept tires for disposal at our Drop Box Facility & Recycling Centers .

Check with your local tire retailer for additional recycling or disposal options.X-Rays & MRI's

X Rays and MRI's can be safely disposed of in the regular trash. Here are some other options to consider:

Contact your physician/lab/hospital to see if they will take them back for disposal or recycling.

Donate to a school, etc. for use as a teaching tool or as part of an arts/craft project?

(Powdered) Cement

Dispose of cement that has started to go hard and formed solid lumps in your garbage.

Cement, and the cement in concrete or mortar mix, will begin to cure as soon as it absorbs moisture, including from the air. After it hardens to a certain point, it will not perform as it was designed.

Reminder: a 60-gallon garbage Toter^TM allows only 100 pounds net load per pick-up, and a sack of cement or mortar mix can weigh 90 pounds by itself. Don’t overload containers.Aseptic Containers (non-refrigerated, shelf-stable)

Aseptic cartons and boxes, also known as "Tetra-Pak" containers, are non-refrigerated, shelf-stable food and beverage containers that include juice boxes, juice pouches, milk/dairy beverage cartons, soup/broth cartons, and more.

Tetra-Pak is a brand name of the largest maker of aseptic packaging. Aseptic packaging and other types of papers with foil component (ex. foil gift wrap) are neither recyclable nor compostable in our area at this time.

Aseptic packaging may be recyclable in other areas of our state that are closer to markets. It is cost prohibitive at this time to ship this material from Whatcom County. Please dispose of with your garbage.

Carpet & Carpet Padding

Carpet, carpet padding, and tacking are not accepted for recycling at this time in our area.

Please dispose of these items in your garbage Toter^® if they fit and the lid can be closed. For small amounts that are too bulky to fit in Toter^®, contact us to schedule a curbside pick-up on your regular collection day. Extra fees apply.

For larger volumes, or items too large for curbside pick-up, use our You Call We Haul junk hauling service or visit one of our Drop Box Facility & Recycling Centers.

Marijuana Waste

Marijuana waste is ONLY accepted as garbage and may need testing and special handling.

For more info contact the Whatcom County Health Department at 360-778-6033 or Disposal of Toxics before disposing.

Marijuana waste is not accepted in our FoodPlus! program.

Preparing Materials For Recycling

Window Blinds-Metal

Metal window blinds (36” or less), and similar metal items, are accepted in our curbside recycling program. Please remove and discard the plastic handle. String drawcords are OK. Please place next to recycling bins for pick-up.

Metal window blinds longer than 36”, or other large scrap metal items made from steel, copper, aluminum and/or brass, are accepted for recycling at any of our three area Drop Box Facility & Recycling Centers. Small recycling fee charged.

Plastic Containers

Bottles, Jugs, Caps & Rings

Cups, Jars, Tubs, Pails, Buckets & Lids

(max. bucket size for curbside pick-up is 3 gal. with metal handles removed)

All colors and numbers. Labels OK.

Remove lids and caps. Rinse CLEAN. FLATTEN bottles. Replace caps and recycle containers loose or nested together.

Recycle plastic containers used for these types of products:

Beverages, dairy products, deli foods, sauces/condiments, cooking oils, soaps, detergents, cleaners (kitchen, laundry & garage), snack foods, frozen foods, storage/freezer containers, hair/body care, health/medicine, single-serve cold beverage cups/lids, hot beverage lids, caps and rings.

At this time, we cannot accept the following plastics for recycling in the residential or commercial curbside recycling programs, or at our Drop Box Facility and Recycling Center:

NO plastic pumps, Styrofoam, tableware/utensils, toys, foam rubber, insulation or any plastic containers that held potentially hazardous materials.

Please contact us to recycle larger quantities or film plastics.

Plastics - Film

Film Plastics

SSC accepts film plastics including bags, wrap, and sheeting at our Bellingham Drop Box Facility & Recycling Center ONLY. Fee charged.

IMPORTANT!  These plastic items are not accepted through our curbside recycling programs.

Commercial customers: Routed collection options are available for businesses generating large quantities of film plastics.

Film plastics accepted for recycling include CLEAN:

• Bags/Packaging (grocery, newspaper, produce, bakery, deli, dry cleaner, garden, shipping, mail order, storage/freezer, frozen food, etc.)
• Wrap (magazine/mail, bubblewrap, spun fiber packing, poly sheeting/Visqueen, painter’s drop sheets, pallet wrap, etc.)
• Commercial/Construction – (insulation bags, lumber wrap w/o paper backing, “Super Sacks”, sileage bags, etc.).

All types and colors accepted. Material must be clean. NO Styrofoam™ or thin foam sheets.

Recommendation: compact (in can or plastic sack) to save money.

Pots, Pans, Skillets & Cookie Sheets

Old, unusable metal pots, pans, skillets, and cookie sheets can be recycled as scrap metal along with other steel, copper, aluminum and brass products, and empty non-hazardous aerosol cans. Maximum 35 lbs. per pick up. Maximum length 24 inches. Store in a box and place next to curbside containers for pick-up.

Small plastic handles are OK if not easily removed.

Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

There are two types of smoke alarms available on the market - ionization and photoelectric. Both contain plastic, electronic circuit boards and in some cases, batteries.

Some ionization smoke alarms contain radioactive materials and cannot be recycled.

Ionization Smoke Alarm

1. Remove the battery. If alkaline, dispose of it in the garbage. If lithium, drop off for recycling at your local electronics store. Some local grocers also have battery recycling containers.
2. Carefully remove the plastic cover and recycle it with bottles, cans and plastic containers in your curbside recycling bin.
3. Package the remaining alarm and mail it back to the manufacturer who will properly dispose of it. The address of the manufacturer is usually listed in the product warranty or user's manual.

Photoelectric Smoke Alarm

1. Remove the battery. If alkaline, dispose of it in the garbage. If lithium, drop off for recycling at your local electronics store. Some local grocers also have battery recycling containers.
2. Carefully remove the plastic cover and recycle it with bottles, cans and plastic containers in your curbside recycling bin.
3. Dispose of the rest of the unit in your garbage.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Remove and dispose of battery in the trash. Recycle carbon monoxide detector shells with bottles, cans and plastic containers.

Shredded Paper

Please bag all shredded paper in a paper bag and tape shut with masking tape to prevent windblown litter. Lay sideways in recycling bin with other scrap paper.

SSC also offers confidential data shredding – mobile on-site or drop-off at our Bellingham Drop Box Facility & Recycling Center.

Why do materials need to be clean for recycling?

Properly rinsing leftover food and residue from bottles, cans and plastic containers is an important step in the recycling process.

As materials are baled in large compactors, any residual food or residue left in the containers gets squished out, making a mess and potentially creating stormwater run-off issues at the recycling center. When bales are stored prior to shipment, and again when broken open at the mill, residue attracts disease vectors like rats and insects. All these factors lower the value of the material being recycling, which means brokers pay less, and local program see higher costs, which are ultimately passed on to customers.

Our community’s recycling programs produce some of the cleanest materials in the entire nation, largely due to the care and attention paid by customers who take that extra step to recycle only clean materials.

Helpful Tip: Wash sticky or goopy bottles, cans and plastic containers with other dirty dishes in the dishwasher or sink then recycle.

Car Seats and Booster Seats

Recycle expired infant car seats by dismantling and separating out the metal and plastic components.

Metal: place in a box next to your curbside recycle bins along with other scrap metal. More here. Please dispose of all other parts in your garbage.

Old Corrugated Cardboard (OCC)

Cardboard boxes, sheets, and ClimaCell insulated box liners. Remove packing materials. Flatten and bundle. One bundle per pickup (residential customers). Max. bundle size 24"x48"x6". No Styrofoam, plastic packing or wax-coated boxes.

Special picks-ups of large quantities available to residential customers for a fee. Please contact us to schedule.

Note: Home-based businesses with regular, large quantities of cardboard require commercial recycling service.

Paint Cans

DROP OFF

Paint Care, Washington's paint stewardship program, offers paint and paint product recycling options.

Local drop-off sites are available to households, businesses, government agencies, and others with leftover paint or unwanted paint.

CURBSIDE

Empty Metal or Plastic Paint Cans and Lids (up to 1 gal.)

Remove lid. Recycle any paper label with scrap paper. Set can and lid out to dry. Residential and multi-family customers may recycle with bottles, cans, and plastic containers.

DVD and VHS Cases

Recycle DVD and VHS (soft) plastic cases at our Bellingham Drop Box Facility & Recycling Center only. Fee charged.

CD or DVD rigid "jewel" cases are not accepted at this time. Please reuse or dispose of as garbage. Canisters & Tanks (Isobutane, Helium, Propane)

Isobutane Canisters

Empty isobutane canisters used for backpacking stoves can be safely punctured using a special tool sold at outdoor shops and then placed as scrap metal beside your curbside recycle bins (along with empty aerosol cans which did not contain toxic products).

Propane and Helium Tanks

Propane tanks (BBQ-size) and party-size helium tanks are accepted for recycling as scrap metal at our Drop-Off Facility and Recycling Centers only.

Tanks must be empty and valve removed. Propane or helium tanks are not accepted as garbage or through our curbside programs.

Aerosol Cans (Non-Hazardous) & Fire Extinguishers

Aerosol Cans (Non-Hazardous)

Non-hazardous, aerosol cans ONLY are accepted for recycling. Aerosol cans must be EMPTY. No pressure or contents must be left in can. Leave cap on (if you have it). Place in cardboard box with any other scrap metal. Set next to recycling bins or recycling Toters^® for collection.

Hazardous product aerosol cans, cans that are not empty, or cans generated by businesses must be taken to Disposal of Toxics.

Fire Extinguishers

Empty tanks are accepted for recycling as scrap metal in our curbside recycling program. No pressure or contents can be left in tank. Remove plastic or rubber parts if possible.

Place in cardboard box with other scrap metal and set next to recycling bins or recycling Toters^® for collection.

We also accept empty tanks at our Bellingham Drop Box Facility & Recycling Center.

Security Solutions in Bellingham accepts empty tanks for refurbishing depending on condition (small charge may apply).

For antique extinguishers (pre 1960) please contact Disposal of Toxics.

Appliances(Non-compressor)

We offer several options for recycling appliances.

To recycle appliances with compressors, such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioning units, de-humidifiers, etc., please contact us to schedule pickup through our You Call – We Haul junk hauling service. These appliances contain compressor oil and refrigerant in them that must be recovered by law by certified technicians, which increases the cost to recycle.

Non-compressor appliances, such as washers, dryers, dishwashers, etc. are accepted for a fee at our Bellingham Drop Box Facility and Recycling Center.

Reminder: we do not accept appliances as part of our regular curbside garbage or recycling collection service.

Paperback Books / Guides / Manuals

Paperback books, guides, manuals, and similar softback or loose-leaf (notebook, 3-ring binder paper, etc.) material can be recycled with scrap paper and newspaper. Staples, paper clips, file folder clips OK.

For larger quantities, place in a small plastic tub or cardboard box no larger than a standard curbside bin and recycle through the curbside recycling program (no charge) or drop-off at our Drop Box Facility & Recycling Centers.

License Plates

Remove or invalidate the month and year tabs then bend plates so they can't be used on another vehicle.

Recycle old license plates, except those listed below, with bottles, cans, and plastic containers in your curbside recycling bin or at our Drop Box Facility & Recycling Centers.

We cannot accept the following types of plates. Please return to a vehicle licensing office.

Commercial vehicle (gross weight over 12,000 lbs.)

Personalized

Baseball stadium

Horseless carriage

Amateur radio operator (HAM)

Medal of Honor

Pearl Harbor survivor

Gold Star parent Antifreeze

Recycle antifreeze at these locations (5-gallon limit):

SSC Cedarville Drop Box Facility

SSC Birch Bay Drop Box Facility

Disposal of Toxics

Some speedy lube/oil businesses may also take household quantities. Inquire direct.

Reminder: antifreeze is not accepted in our curbside recycling program.

Golf Clubs

Golf clubs and golf bags not worthy of selling or donating can be taken apart for recycling and disposal.

Metal club shafts can be recycled as scrap metal. Set next to your curbside recycling bin. All other parts should be disposed of in your garbage.

Glass

We accept all colors of food and beverage glass bottles and jars (plus lids, labels and caps) for recycling.

• Please remove lids and caps and place loose in recycling container. Avoid breaking glass.
• Rinse bottles and jars clean.
• Reminder: Bottles must be removed from 6-pak and half case boxes, etc. before recycling.

While food and beverage glass is recyclable, for safety reasons, we prefer that broken or shattered glass be bagged or placed inside an empty carton (milk/juice) or box and discarded as garbage. Cracked or chipped glass bottles and jars are accepted for recycling.

Cables, Cords, Holiday Lights and Wire

Cables (computer), extension cords, holiday lights, and wire are recyclable as scrap metal. Please bundle and tie with string, rubber band or twist tie and place next to recycling bins for pick-up.

Batteries - All Types

Vehicle Batteries (Lead Acid) - Car, truck, motorcycle and boat batteries. Store in a box or bag. No cracked, leaking, household or rechargeable batteries accepted. Leave battery caps on. Note: Battery should say “Pb” on it, which designates it as Lead Acid.

Residential and Multi-Family Curbside Customers: please set next to recycling bins or recycling Toters.

Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Batteries – Used in security, emergency, backup, mobile medical devices, etc. Store in a box or bag. No cracked, leaking, household or rechargeable batteries accepted. Note: Battery should say “Pb” on it, which designates it as Lead Acid.

Residential and Multi-Family Curbside Customers: please set next to recycling bins or recycling Toters.

E-Waste (Electronics)

SSC no longer accepts electronic waste (e-waste), such as laptops, flat screen TV's monitors, etc. for recycling. Please visit E-Cycle Washington for local recycling alternatives.

Used Motor Oil & Oil Filters

Used Motor Oil

Used motor oil ONLY is accepted for recycling. Please do not mix with anything else.

Store in a one gallon (or smaller), sealed, non-breakable container. Empty motor oil or clean plastic milk or water jugs work great. Do not use bleach, detergent, or antifreeze containers. Screw on threaded lids tightly. Seal “pop top” style lids with duct tape. Mark container "Oil." Set next to recycling bins (residential) or recycling Toters® (multi-family) for collection. Commercial customers should contact us at ssc@ssc-inc.com for options.

Oil & Water Don’t Mix – Separating Oil from Water

1. Let the oil/water mix stand. The oil will float to the top.
2. Pour off oil into an approved container (see above). Seal and label as instructed above.
3. Soak up any contaminated water and dispose of in the garbage.

Used motor oil is also accepted for recycling at our Cedarville Drop Box Facility & Recycling Center and Birch Bay Drop Box Facility & Recycling Center.

Empty motor oil jugs can go in the garbage or be saved and used to store used motor oil (synthetic or petroleum) for recycling.

For questions or more information please contact us.

Used motor oil accepted in SSC's recycling programs is collected by Thermo Fluids of Sumner, WA. More info about Thermo Fluids at http://www.thermofluids.com/

Oil Filters

Drained oil filters are accepted for recycling at our Birch Bay Drop Box Facility & Recycling Center and our Cedarville Drop Box Facility & Recycling Center ONLY.

To prepare used oil filters for recycling:

Punch hole(s) in sealed end (hammer and nail work fine). Drain upside down into a collection pan for 24 hours.

Used motor oil is accepted for recycling through our residential curbside program and at both locations above. For info on how to prepare used motor oil for recycling click here.

For questions or more info please contact us or Disposal of Toxics.

There’s a company called Ridwell that accepts styrofoam, single use plastic and other hard to recycle items.

https://www.ridwell.com/seattle/meet-ridwell?utm_source=google_search&utm_medium=paid_ola&utm_campaign=Search-Brand-PH-AMT-CPC-ML&utm_term=ridwell&utm_content=633614149352&mt=e&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwov6hBhBsEiwAvrvN6Ijo14LJCsIWk4l9nOnfRH2WeCU9EQtxpKgvnWJWWHg0ev7uMu6EpBoCAOYQAvD_BwE

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Birch Bay Leisure Park encompasses 80 acres.

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There are 718 private memberships within the park.

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Yes. Guests and visitors to Birch Bay Leisure Park need to register at the park’s front entrance to obtain a Guest Pass. Park maps and directions will be provided upon request.

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No. Birch Bay Leisure Park does not offer camping spaces. All sites are privately owned by members. Visiting guests of members may register a small RV or travel trailer with BBLP administration for a four (4) night, five (5) day stay on a member’s site.

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Yes. There are four coin-operated washers and dryers located throughout the park.

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BBLP offers the use of 10 Bath Houses located throughout the park for the use of our members and their guests. Bath House entry requires a Bath House key. Each Bath House offers a separate Men’s and Woman’s washroom and coin-operated shower facility.

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Birch Bay Leisure Park offers internet services through Ecco Wireless. Services may be purchased through Ecco Wireless. BBLP also offers a free Wi-Fi hotspot for mobile devices at the Administration Center.

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No. Birch Bay Leisure Park Association does not allow year-round residency.

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Canadian residents are allowed to visit the US for a total of 182 days in a calendar year. For more information please contact the local border patrol office.

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Yes. Birch Bay Leisure Park is a pet friendly area. Doggie walk areas are offered for members with pets and are equipped with waste baggies and waste receptacles.

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There are no telephones lines to individual sites. There is a pay phone located at the Brier Center/Pool. Cell phones will work within the Park. Television reception is available through satellite dish.

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Yes. The Administration Center offers a range of mail services including package delivery and mail box rentals.

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Birch Bay Leisure Park offers a range of services including gravel and topsoil sales, on-site propane filling station, and convenient garbage and recycling areas.

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Elm Center is available for private events throughout the year on a reservation basis. Brier Center is available for private events from Sept 15^th to May 15^th, but only on a reservation basis. The Bocce Bistro is also available for private events on a reservation basis. Reservations require a refundable deposit and may be scheduled at the Administration Center.

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Birch Bay Leisure Park’s pool opens approximately mid-May and remains open for daily use until early to mid-September. Weather depending.

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Membership dues are approximately $2,000 a year. This includes park dues (billed twice yearly) and individual site electricity usage (billed twice yearly).

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Birch Bay Leisure Park has its own set of Park Rules and Regulations. Printed copies may be picked up at the Administration Center upon request.

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Birch Bay Leisure Park is managed by a membership elected Board of Directors. The park also employs a General Manager, as well as a year-round support staff.

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Birch Bay Leisure Park is a gated community and employs its own year-round security team.

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Yes. Garbage dumpsters are located conveniently throughout the park for use by members. Recycling bins are also offered. For disposal of larger items, i.e.: construction debris, furniture or appliances, or large amounts of yard waste and debris, a Dump Permit may be purchased at the park Administration Center.