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
WHAT: MEN’S INTERVIEW CLOTHES – Suits, ties, dress shirts, and sports jackets
WHO: SUITS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS – This Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce program is such a great way to pass on those work clothes that you never wear any more. Suits for Service Members helps service members make a successful transition from military to civilian life. Suits are provided free of charge and are even tailored to fit everybody passing through its program. The group also provides professional advice on a variety of topics from job search strategies to networking.
To learn more about the program, email Paige at ausasuits@gmail.com.
To donate interview clothes, either catch us on our June Flashdrive or deliver directly at your convenience 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.
WHEN: Saturday June 13 – pickup rounds begin at 8:00 AM
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO: If you have men’s interview clothes to donate, just shoot us an email at biflashdrive@gmail.com. Let us know your pick-up location (we ask every time to stay current) and have your items ready by June 13 @ 8:00 AM.
Of course, please make sure:
– Your clothes are clean (don’t forget to check the shirt collars!).
– Your pockets are entirely empty.
COMING UP IN JULY
Compass Housing Alliance (https://www.compasshousingalliance.org/)
THEY NEED:
– Games for ages 13(+)
– Drawing and painting supplies
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