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)
WHEN: THURSDAY, AUGUST 27 – Please note the unusual day. Pick-up rounds begin at 8:00 AM
WHAT: Instruments (Good Working Condition) – Specifically….
Typical school instruments for band or orchestra:
- Trombones
- Violins
- Violas
- Cellos
- Basses (Acoustic & Electric)
- Guitars (Acoustic & Electric)
- Amps
- Piano Keyboards – but not upright pianos
- Trumpets
- French Horns
- Saxophones (Tenor & Alto)
- Clarinets
- Flutes
- Drum Sets
- Euphoniums/Baritone Horns
- Hand Percussion Instruments – Tambourines, Egg Shakers, African Drums, Triangles, Maracas, & Cymbals
- Resin
- Chin Pads
- Music Stands
WHO: Music Discovery Center, https://musicdiscoverycenter.org/
Fun fact: The famous American musician Quincy Jones spent much of his youth in Bremerton.
Inspired to create more artists like Quincy Jones, the Music Discovery Center does what it can to bring music to every person. Founded and operated by some of the best musicians in the Pacific Northwest, the Music Discovery Center offers all sorts of incredible top tier programs to people who may not be able to readily access Seattle and who live on the West side of the Puget Sound.
- They get musical instruments into the hands of children in Kitsap County.
- They host the incredible Quincy Square Jazz Festival and the Make Music Day Celebration.
- They run summer music camps for kids who live in Kitsap.
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 Thursday, August 27 @ 8:00 AM.
CAN YOU VOLUNTEER DRIVE? Please email us!
QUESTIONS? We love questions! Just email us at biflashdrive@gmail.com
COMING UP IN SEPTEMBER: Kitsap Humane Society
New or gently used linens, animal supplies (toys, dishes, collars, & leashes)