In the spring of 2024, Kathy McGowan and her two high school-aged sons launched a “little experiment,” in her words, that “seeks to enhance the amazing recycling programs that already exist on Bainbridge Island and address three specific needs: cost, convenience, awareness.”
Kathy is the former Sakai parent who spearheaded a months-long plastic film recycling drive that involved the entire community and resulted in Sakai Intermediate School placing first in its category in the national Trex Recycling Challenge.
She explains the BI Flashdrive program this way: “We recognize that not everybody can afford fee-based, at-home recycling pick-up programs, nor do they have the time to make recycling deliveries themselves.
“BI Flashdrive solves these problems by highlighting a different recycling program each month that is free and preferably local. The ‘flash’ will let you know what is being recycled and when the pick-up date is. On that day, put your items outside your front door, and BI Flashdrive will swing by and take them off your hands [for free]. Be sure to email biflashdrive@gmail.com beforehand and let us know that you have a pick-up.”
Sign up here to be on the list for flash notifications of what items will be picked up and on which date.
Check out their Instagram account to see what has been collected in past months.
MINI CALENDAR 2025-2026
(May be subject to change as more local needs are identified)
December: Unwanted Medical Supplies
Not Just Tourists, https://njt.net/about-us/
PICK-UP DATE: Wednesday, December 10 (notify Flashdrive by Dec. 9 if you have a pick-up)
WHAT: Unwanted medical supplies, specifically…
- Thermometers (not glass)
- Gauze and sterile pads
- Alcohol wipes
- Ace bandages and Band-Aids
- Bandage wraps
- Bandage/medical tape
- Small soft braces
- Electrolyte packets
- Antibiotic cream (can be opened)
- Hydrocortisone cream (can be opened)
- Antifungal cream (cream be opened)
- Feminine hygiene products
- Toothbrushes (wrapped, packaged…like what you get from dentist visits)
Flashdrive got a request from a local elementary teacher who is travelling to Cuba with her family this month over Winter Break. Her family of four is bringing the above much-needed items to Cuba via a fabulous group called Not Just Tourists. Founded over 30 years ago, Not Just Tourists enables ordinary tourists to prevent the waste of unwanted but still usable medical supplies by delivering them to people in other countries who cannot afford or do not have access to those items. Thus far, Not Just Tourists has diverted over 2,000,000+ pounds of medical supplies from landfills and delivered the items in over 10,000 suitcases to 82 countries.
January: Winter Holiday Decor
Habitat for Humanity of Kitsap County, https://kitsaphabitat.org/store/
February: Small Kitchen Items (e.g., small appliances, basic cook/eating ware, etc.)
Georgia House in Bremerton, https://www.gmweaverfoundation.org/get-involved/
March: Pet Supplies (e.g., baby gates, pet toys, pet beds, 100ft garden hoses, etc.)
Prison Pet Partnership & Lengau, https://www.prisonpetpartnership.org/in-kind-donations, https://www.lengau.org/
April: Vegetables, Blankets & Sheets
One Heart Wild, https://www.oneheartwild.org/
May: STEM Supplies (e.g., craft supplies, circuit boards, balls, etc.)
BISD Stem & Maker Space Programs
June: Men’s Clothing
Suits for Service Members, https://www.gigharborchamber.net/suits-for-service-members