Good news for users of the big blue bins: It turns out that the only in-person recycling option in the Valley isn’t going anywhere.

The King County Solid Waste Division reports that they will reinstate free recycling services at the North Bend Cedar Falls Drop Box, as well as at the Enumclaw Transfer Station, by Saturday, Feb. 11.

Solid Waste had proposed to stop the collection of certain recyclables at transfer stations as a cost-saving measure, arguing that recyclables are collected free as part of curbside garbage collection.

The closures at Shoreline, Houghton, Renton, Enumclaw, and Cedar Falls, which happened Feb. 1, were designed to save approximately $400,000 per year and to provide additional space at county facilities to recycle materials that are not collected at the curb.

The county received more requests from residents near Cedar Falls and Enumclaw to reinstate services there than at the urban stations.

According to Solid Waste, reinstating service at Enumclaw and Cedar Falls is a recognition that drop-off recyclables service is appropriate in areas where curbside recyclables collection cannot be readily accessed.

The county says restoration of service will cost about $200,000 per year. The costs will be monitored over time, and the division may ask for additional funds to support it, if necessary.

In a statement, the city of North Bend thanked King County Solid Waste and King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert for efforts in restoring the service to residents.