Zero Waste, an all-volunteer run program of Sustainable Bainbridge, receives donations from community members, businesses, and events that we hold. Below are some example of where these donations go.
1) Metal utensils at Woodward Middle School
Reason: To promote washable over disposable tableware at lunchtime, fulfilling a Zero Waste goal of encouraging waste reduction and reuse
Semi-annual waste audits reveal that Woodward 7th adn 8th graders use and throw away over 22,000 plastic forks and spoons each year. This ZW grant augments the BI School District Food Services' limited budget to enable purchase of reusable utensils and eliminate one source of single-use plastics.
2) Replacement faceplates on Winslow Way and Doc's recycling Big Bellies
Reason: To enable proper public recycling, fulfilling a ZW goal of landfill diversion
The Big Belly recycling receptacles are so contaminated (major culprit: coffee cups) that Bainbridge Disposal must dump them into the garbage truck instead of recycling. We hope that the redesigned faceplates will better explain what people should put in the recycling receptacles so that BD can actually recycle the contents. COBI has yet to install the new faceplates.
3) Parfait glasses and porcelain salad bowls at Bainbridge High School and
Woodward Middle School
Reason: To promote use of washable over disposable tableware at lunchtime, fulfilling a Zero Waste goal of encouraging waste reduction and reuse
This ZW grant augments the BI School District Food Services' limited budget and replaces single-use plastic cups and plastic clamshells.
4) Grants to youth groups, e.g., BI Water Polo Club, BHS Band
Reason: To staff Zero Waste discard stations at community festivals
Zero Waste is run by volunteers, but with a myriad of ZW waste-managed events in the summer, it is difficult to find enough ZW volunteers at certain times. Giving a grant to these groups not only helps them with fundraising and us to fulfill our waste management commitment, but it also creates new Zero Waste educators.
