In the spring of 2024, Kathy McGowan and her two teenaged sons, Roan and Bo, 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.
Roan 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 Flashdrive collections, 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. The collection is once a month for a couple of hours max. The pick-up day varies from month to month. Once we get a sense of where the needs are, 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)
JUNE 2026 Collection results
MEN’S INTERVIEW CLOTHES – We collected and redistributed two pick-up trucks’ worth of items for Suits for Service Members. We tried counting everything; but when we got to 500 items, we stopped counting! Hildebrand Cleaners learned about our effort and asked to be involved. They always have unclaimed clothing and gave it all to BI Flashdrive for this collection. They also want folks to know that they offer a 20% discount to all activity-duty service members and veterans.
You can donate interview clothes directly to the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce, where they have a drop-off site. Depending on how much you have, you may even be able to coordinate a pick-up with Paige at ausasuits@gmail.com.
JULY
WHEN: SUNDAY, JULY 19 * – pick-up rounds begin at 8:00 AM
* PLEASE NOTE: This flashdrive is happening on a SUNDAY! (Usually, our flashdrives run on a Saturday).
WHAT:
- Art Supplies (Drawing & Painting, All Ages)
- Games for Ages 13 (+)
> Please be sure that the games are complete sets and in good working condition.
> Please note the age request. Games for young children – e.g., Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, etc – are NOT needed.
WHO: Compass Housing Alliance
Do you remember Compass Housing Alliance? This is the fabulous Seattle-based nonprofit that develops and provides essential services, shelter and affordable housing for our broader metro-area so that everybody has a safe place to call home.
We previously featured them when we collected holiday items, which their residents used to decorate their common spaces and individual apartments. Now, Compass Housing Alliance can really use games and art supplies to support their residents’ social and creative lives.
If you want to learn more about their program, check out their website: https://www.compasshousingalliance.org/
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO:
If you have items to donate, just shoot us an email at biflashdrive@gmail.com. Please let us know your pick-up location (we ask every time to stay current) and have your items ready by Sunday, July 19 @ 8:00 AM.
CAN YOU VOLUNTEER DRIVE?
Please email us at biflashdrive@gmail.com.
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COMING UP IN AUGUST
Music Discovery Center (https://musicdiscoverycenter.org/)
THEY NEED:
– Musical Instruments in good condition (NO acoustic pianos though)
QUESTIONS? We love questions! Just email us at biflashdrive@gmail.com