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.
CAN YOU BE A VOLUNTEER DRIVER?:
If you are available to help pick-up items for our January Flashdrive on January 19, please let us know. We do our best to assign folks a limited number of convenient pick-up locations near their homes and to make the process as efficient and as easy as possible for them. Once we get a sense of pick-up needs, we will reach out (we have been very fortunate and usually get more volunteer drivers than we need). Thanks for considering!
MINI CALENDAR 2025-2026
(May be subject to change as more local needs are identified)
FEBRUARY: Dog supplies only
Prison Pet Partnership, https://www.prisonpetpartnership.org/in-kind-donations
PICK-UP DATE: TBD
WHAT:
Used, unwanted – but WASHED, please.
- Dog coats and sweaters
- Red dog service dog vests or in-training vests (all sizes)
- Dog beds
- Slip leashes & regular leashes
- Dog collars
- KONGs (all sizes)
- Baby gates
- Dog crates & crate covers
- Tennis balls
- Chuckits
- Dog brushes and dog grooming supplies
March: Small Kitchen Items (e.g., small appliances, basic cook/eating ware, etc.)
Georgia House in Bremerton, https://www.gmweaverfoundation.org/get-involved/
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