About Us
Zero Waste Bainbridge Island’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 ZWBI 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.
Meet our steering committee, all of whom, in addition to their titles, are worker bees:
Diane Landry – Director, webmaster, newsletter editor, event discard management lead
Jane Martin – Tableware Lending Library lead, signmaker
Barbara Ochota – Metal recycling lead, education outreach lead
Susan Knell – Zero Waste Facebook moderator, Terracycle lead
Anna Ullrich – Reuse/Recycle Guide editor
Carolyn Hart – Bookkeeper
Whitney Lane – Sage
Georgia Zwartjes – Artistic lead
Kim Smith – Analyst
We encourage you to contact us if you would like to be involved in Zero Waste endeavors.
Connect with Zero Waste BI
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 organizational event.
Event Assistance
Help us manage discard stations at Bainbridge Island community celebrations. Learn how to set up your own and borrow our supplies.
Archived Reports
Monthly newsletters ~ Year-end reports ~ Past campaigns
Get Involved
We are an ALL-VOLUNTEER organization. Find out how you can help.
Highlights
Visit the New North Kitsap Household Hazardous Waste Facility
The North Kitsap Household Hazardous Waste facility at 23300 Arness Creek Road NE, Poulsbo, WA has finally opened!
This new facility provides residents with year-round, free collection of unwanted household chemicals, such as batteries, cleaners, pesticides, flammable liquids and solvents, and more.
It is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 10am-noon and 12:30pm-4pm (closed for a 30-minute lunch).
Bad Cookware Exchange
The Kitsap County Solid Waste Division is partnering with Zero Waste Washington to host a cookware swap event on Saturday, December 5, 11am-2p, but an appointment is required.
Some cookware and kitchen products may contain harmful chemicals like PFAS, lead, or microplastics, which can affect your health and the environment. Bring a scratched or worn non-stick pan, plastic cooking utensil, and/or a plastic cutting board, and in exchange, you’ll receive a free safer alternative for each item you bring. Available replacements include:
- One PFAS-free pan
- Two wood cooking utensils
- One wood or bamboo cutting board
The Washington State Department of Health will also be on-site offering optional lead testing for pots, pans, spices, and ceramic dishware.
More information can be found here.
Share Your Leaves!
There’s a new Facebook group in town, “Bainbridge Leaf Exchange — Free Leaves for Gardeners.”
Last Month for Water Filters
The Zero Waste bin at the Marge Williams Center accepts many items. But as of November 28, we can no longer accept any brand water filter, even Brita.
#1 Way to Help Compost
Take off the produce stickers!!!
#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.
