Zero Waste

Zero Waste2023-08-17T17:16:01-07:00

About Us

Bainbridge Island Zero Waste’s mission is to reduce the amount of waste produced by our community, from acquisition to disposal. We aim to encourage changes in behavior that ultimately lead to a more sustainable use of resources.

Want to know if you can recycle something?
Want to know which organization might reuse your functional item?

Get the answers on our “Guide to Reusing and/or Recycling Locally” page.

Sustainable Bainbridge created BIZW in 2010. It is managed and run by all volunteers. We encourage you to explore our site, check out news posts and future events, and engage with us if anything strikes your fancy.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to keep current on our activities, opportunities for participation and education, and other zero waste news.

We have yet to resume in-person meetings for the general public. Occasionally we hold Zoom meetings with special speakers. (The events calendar below will keep you informed of those occasions.) Our steering committee consists of Carolyn Hart, Diane Landry (ZW director), Alison Kettering, Susan Knell (Terracycle collector), Whitney Lane, Jane Martin (Tableware Lending Library head), and Barbara Ochota (education lead). We encourage you to contact us if you would like to be involved in Zero Waste endeavors.

What We Do and How We Inform

Reuse and Recycling Information

Reuse/Recycle Guide ~ Recycling Quiz ~ Reduce Tips ~ Holiday Waste ~ Plastics Pledge

Tableware Lending Library

Borrow tableware for your next private or nonprofit event.

Zero Waste Event Assistance

Help us manage discard stations at Bainbridge Island community celebrations. Learn how to set up your own and borrow our supplies.

Styrofoam Collection

Find out where and what to recycle and how to prepare.

Archived Reports

Monthly newsletters ~ Year-end reports ~ Past campaigns

Get Involved

We are an ALL-VOLUNTEER organization. Find out how you can help.

Highlights

Recruiting Volunteer Tableware Lending Librarians

With only three volunteers handling all the requests, we are reaching out to see if any of you have an interest in becoming a tableware lending librarian. Some handy attributes include

  • attention to detail (reading and filling in a simple spreadsheet to make sure orders don’t overlap)
  • free time and flexibility (mutually agreed-upon meeting times to preview, check-out and return)
  • enthusiasm for reuse and supporting community events (meetings, weddings, memorials services, celebrations) to happen in a greener way
  • because of LL location, proximity to central BI a plus

If this sounds up your alley, please email Jane Martin, who will show you the library in person and explain the procedures. Then you can decide if you would like to be mentored and determine after a couple check-outs if this position is right for you. Thank you for considering!

Does Recycling Work?

Watch this video made by the Association of Mission-Based (nonprofit) Recyclers that will open your eyes as to why our recycling is so contaminated.
At the end, they offer real solutions that you can advocate for with your government representatives.

Eco-brick Drop-off Moves

The new drop-off location for V Calvez’s eco-bricks, featured in a previous Zero Waste newsletter, is Sacred Groves, 9255 Holly Farm Lane. Look for the drop-off container by the Sacred Groves sign to deposit your stuffed half-gallon milk cartons or 52 oz. plastic juice containers.

Since paper milk cartons are no longer accepted for recycling, and the plastic used as stuffing is not recyclable otherwise, V’s projects are a good way to keep these materials out of the landfill and put them to beneficial use.

To learn how to make the “bricks,” which are used as insulation in V’s various projects, such as the Winslow Cohousing composter, click the button below.

#1 Way to Help Recycling

Put your recyclables in your curbside bin LOOSE. The same goes for the transfer station. Recyclables bundled in plastic bags do not get opened; they are automatically landfilled.

Zero Waste Events

Beach Cleanup

September 30 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Author Visit – J.B. MacKinnon

October 11 @ 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Zero Waste News

Newsletter Signup

Subscribe to any of our Sustainable Bainbridge newsletters here. There is a general monthly newsletter that compiles articles submitted by the various SB programs and campaigns. There are also newsletters specific to certain programs.

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