Washington recycling and transfer station invests $2.25M in tipping floor repairs

Everett, Washington-based Snohomish County Public Works Solid Waste has invested $2.25 million in improving the tipping floor at its recycling and transfer station. 

The department closed its Airport Road Recycling and Transfer Station (ARTS) March 9-29 for tipping floor repairs. During this time, commercial haulers and residential customers can visit recycling and transfer stations in Arlington and Mountlake Terrace. 

ARTS was built in 2003 and last underwent a tipping floor repair in 2017. The Snohomish County solid waste department says more than 1,200 customers visit ARTS on peak days. In 2025, more than 250,600 tons of garbage was processed at the facility. 

“The tipping floor takes a lot of abuse every day,” says David Schonhard, the county’s solid waste director. “The constant processing of waste across the floor creates wear that gets worse over time. We need to ensure that the facility remains capable of meeting the needs of the thousands of residents and businesses whose garbage finds its way here.”    

The new floor overlay will cost $2.25 million, and the department says it’s expected to outperform its previous version in terms of compression and abrasion resistance. The material used will consist of a high-performance polymer cement mix with artificial aggregates. With heavy machinery weighing more than 25 tons rolling on and scraping the floor seven days a week, the facility will benefit from the smoother and more durable surface.    

“We know it’s inconvenient, but we appreciate everyone’s patience as our employees get this work done to prolong the life of the ARTS facility floor,” says Kelly Snyder, Snohomish County public works director. “Public Works’ three transfer facilities and three drop box locations must meet the needs of nearly 900,000 residents and thousands of businesses. We continue to be good stewards of the public’s facilities by maintaining our existing facilities.” 

More information about the solid waste division including facility locations and hours can be found on the Snohomish County Public Works website.