Beginning June 28, the Snohomish County Solid Waste Division will reduce operating hours at several locations while discontinuing its free electronics recycling program only a few months after its start.

As garbage revenues have fallen, due to a variety of economic factors, the division has seen its operating budget shrink. With the loss of 38 jobs in the waste management department, the county just doesn't have enough manpower to continue its current programs.

The transfer station at Arlington, at 19600-63rd Avenue NE, will cut eleven hours from its weekly schedule, with new hours from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Neighborhood recycling and disposal drop boxes in Gold Bar and Oso are slated for closure.

The free E-cycle program that was launched this spring will still be honored at private recyclers, but not at the county dump sites. For a list of businesses that will continue to accept discarded electronic equipment, visit www.ecyclewashington.org.

In addition to other cuts, the Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Station in Everett will no longer accept latex paint for recycling because it is not considered hazardous. Dried-out paint cans without lids can be placed in residents' garbage cans. Other household hazardous wastes are still accepted at the Everett site at no charge for individuals. Small businesses pay a fee for disposal.

For information about the Solid Waste Division changes, visit www.snoco.org and click on the Public Works link in the Departments tab.