z Zero Waste Initiative

 

The Zero Waste Initiative of Sustainable Bainbridge is dedicated to reducing the amount of trash generated on Bainbridge Island. We are diverting resources bound for the landfill by promoting waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting.


Latest News

Monthly Meeting
The next zero waste meeting is Wednesday, August 18, 7-9 pm, at the Marge Williams Center, 221 W. Winslow Way.  Anyone is welcome! Our special guest will be Seattle Zero Waste's leader, Heather Trim.

Report on National Night Out
Town Square, August 3
We monitored two disposal stations.  Lone-standing trash cans were covered up with an explanation taped to the top ("Minimizing landfill-bound resources; use disposal stations to compost, recycle or throw trash.").  Signs greeted attendees, alerting them to the presence of the disposal stations. Recycling was mainly plastic water bottles.
Composting consisted primarily of uncoated paper plates, napkins, popcorn bags and uneaten food (hot dogs). In the trash went plastic-coated paper plates, soft drink paper cups, tiny ice cream plastic spoons, and ice cream cups.  The latter were poly (petrol)-lined, which we later found out we could have recycled after rinsing. We also collected plastic bottle caps, as well as plastic hot dog and ice bags, after shaking crumb-free and drying, respectively. Zero waste booth award: My Kids Cookies.  Cookies were unpackaged on serving platters and handed out one per customer.

Plastic Bottle Cap Collection
Our plastic bottle cap receptacle at the Vincent Road Recycling Center has been filling up fast these days.  In the first three months we collected 11 pounds.  In the last two weeks of July, a separate load weighed in at 18 pounds!!  The caps are dropped off at The Head Hunter in Poulsbo, an Aveda Salon, which is the company that runs the cap collection program.  (Used caps are chopped up, melted and remolded into new caps for Aveda products.).

 

Waste Reducton Tip of the Week!

Tip #3
Reduce the amount of paper used in your home printer by implementing the following:

  • Make the default setting print double-sided copies.  If your printer does not have that capability, figure out how to manually place the printed sheet into the uptake drawer so that the clean side gets printed on.
  • Reduce the size of document margins (both bottom/top and left/right) and/or font size to fit more on the page.
  • Use the backs of printed sheets meant for discard as paper for other (informal) print needs.

Past Waste Reduction Tips:

#1- Catalog Choice is a website that will allow you to opt out of catalogues, phone directories, credit card solicitations and other direct mail.  Go to www.catalogchoice.org, a Green Certified site, to cut down on unwanted deliveries.

#2- Did you know that plastic caps should be removed before recycling plastic bottles?   They cannot be recycled with your regular items, but they don’t have to be thrown away.  Pocket those caps, make a collection, then bring them to the Bainbridge Disposal recycling center on Vincent Rd.  There is a specially designated green toter adorned with caps next to the recycling Dumpsters where you can deposit them. Just make sure they meet these conditions:

  1. Only plastic
  2. Firm (not flexible)
  3. 3” or less in diameter
  4. Clean and dry
Zero Waste began this project in mid April.  Through three months, we have collected almost 11 pounds worth.  Aveda (hair products) has set up a program  to recycle these caps back into new tops for their products

Link here for a checklist of other waste reduction tips.

 

 

Road Map to Zero Waste

Compiled by Liesl Clark, Bainbridge Island resident and award-winning documentary filmmaker currently at work on a film that will explore what traditional cultures can teach us about zero waste lifestyles and treading lightly on this Earth. Thank you Liesl!

This list is constantly changing. If a date appears (e.g., 7/10), that indicates the last time the information was verified.  Always call first to make sure the location is still accepting your item.  Please check back often to learn how we can get closer to reaching a goal of zero waste. If you have further tips for how an item can be re-used or re-cycled, please email us at info@SustainableBainbridge.net and we will update our information.

 

What Can Be Recycled At Your Curbside Recycling And Bainbridge Disposal Recycling Center

Food & Yard Waste:http://www.bainbridgedisposal.com/content/recycle-yard-waste/yard-waste.php

Grass & leaves
Weeds
Prunings
Branches (under 4’ long, 4” diameter)
Vegetable garden waste
Houseplants
Windfall fruit
Fruits
Vegetables
Breads, pasta, and grains
Nutshells
Coffee grounds and filters
Tea bags
Shredded paper
Cardboard pizza boxes
Paper towels and napkins
Paper plates and cups
Paper food wrap
Paper take-out cartons
Compostable plastic bags

Co-mingled Recycling: http://www.bainbridgedisposal.com/content/recycle-yard-waste/recycle.php

Plastic Bottles & Jars (Codes 1-5, no caps)
Glass Bottles & Jars
Milk-style Cartons
Phone Books
Mail (even with plastic windows), magazines, mixed paper & catalogs
Metal Cans
Aluminum Cans
Newspaper & Inserts
Paper Bags
Plastic Dairy Tubs (no lids)
Paper boxes
Cardboard
Paper or frozen food boxes

Other Items that are accepted at Bainbridge Disposal that Will Be Recycled-reused:

Scrap Metal: Iron, Steel, Aluminum, Copper, Brass
E-cycle Items: Computer Monitors & CPUs, Laptops, TVs
Antifreeze & Uncontaminated Motor Oil
Appliances
Batteries: Car and Alkaline batteries
Tires
Sharps: like hypodermic needles (not recycled but safely disposed of)
Books

What Can’t Be Recycled at Bainbridge Disposal And Where They Can Be Recycled

Caps to Plastic Bottles: Includes caps to water bottles, soda bottles, milk cartons, shampoo bottles, plastic tops that flip up on catsup/etc. Caps must be firm, not flexible; 3” or less in diameter; clean and dry; completely plastic. Link here for more details.
Where to Recycle:Zero Waste has set up a collection toter next to the recycling dumpsters at Bainbridge Disposal on Vincent Road.  (7/10)

Plastic Wrap and Grocery Bags: Where to Recycle: At your local supermarkets: Town & Country, Safeway

Polyethylene recycling at your supermarket bins (just outside the stores) can include:
• newspaper bags
• dry cleaning bags
• bread bags
• produce bags
• toilet paper, napkin, and paper towel wraps
• furniture wrap
• electronic wrap
• plastic retail bags (hard plastic & string handles removed)
• grocery bag
• diaper wrap (packaging)
• case wrap (e.g., snacks, water bottles)
• All clean, dry bags labeled #2 or #4.

Please make sure there are no receipts left in your bags. For more info on recycling plastic bags/film link here.

Plastic Take-out (“clamshell”) and other plastic containers & cups: Where to Recycle: Bainbridge Disposal is working on providing recycling for all plastics 1-7, but it will take some time. According to Seattle Public Utilities, they are collecting these items for recycling, but they may not actually be recycling them yet (until there is a market for them). The best way to keep these out of the landfill is to stop buying them.

Junk Mail: How to Stop It!
Sign up for the following services at:Direct Marketing Assocation site.

Styrofoam Peanuts: Where to Re-Use: The UPS Store

Plastic Plant Pots and Plastic Plant Labels: Where to Recycle/Re-use: Bay Hay & Feed takes 1 gallon or greater and all burgundy pots.  Bainbridge Gardens takes 2 gallon or greater pots. (7/10)

Stockpile the plant labels to send back for re-use at the nurseries that generate them.
Link here for more ideas.

Tin foil and tin pie plates: Where to Recycle: Seattle Transfer Stations are recycling clean tin foil and tin pie plates. Link here for locations. Note: Research shows that emissions from incinerated tin foil is sending high levels of pollutants into the air. This is why Kitsap County does not recommend tin foil being co-mingled with aluminum cans.

Light Bulbs: Incandescent and CFL compact bulbs and tubes.

Where to Dispose: The incandescent light bulb must go into the landfill, unless you can find an interesting re-use for them. Link here for ideas. CFL & Fluorescent Tubes can go to Bainbridge Disposal, Poulsbo Recycling Center, or to Home Depot.

Household items: From Furniture, to toys, appliances, and garden tools. Where to Reuse: Freecycle, Craigs List, yard sales, The Rotary Auction, Good Will, 2good2toss.com, etc.

Magazines: Of course, they can be put into recycling. Where to Reuse:    The Bainbridge Public Library has a program where they sell them for a quarter each to raise money for the library. About $500/month is raised this way. (7/10)

Aerosol Cans: Where to Recycle: Best to not use them at all because there’s metal in the empty cans that can explode under pressure and hurt workers. They should go into your regular garbage. If they still have something in them, you can dispose of them at the Kitsap County Household Hazardous Waste Facility or at Bainbridge Island’s Maintenance Operations Center, 7305 Hidden Cove Rd., that conducts a hazardous waste disposal program once or twice a year.

Broken Ceramics & Glass: Where to Reuse: Freecycle or Craigs List it and a mosaics artist will take it. They collect their items through "brigades," kids' groups that set up collection containers.

Chip Bags, Cookie bags, Juice bags, Energy bar bags: Make sure wrappers are clean, bags empty, pouches straw-free and empty. Where to Recycle: IslandWood sends them to Terracycle. Contact sorenb@islandwood.org. (7/10)

Foil-Lined (Aseptic) Juice Boxes: Where to Recycle: Seattle Transfer Stations. Link here for locations.

Clothes: Where to Reuse: The Bargain Boutique, Freecycle, Craigs List, Yard Sales, Good Will. A great list of Kitsap County venues for donating used clothing is at Kitsap County Public Works.

Dairy Products, Meat, Fish, or Chicken: Where to Compost: In your Bainbridge Disposal yard waste toter or at the dump on Vincent Road. There is a charge.  (7/10)

Kitchen Fats, oil, grease (in a secure container): Where to Recycle: If you stockpile it into a 5-gallon jug, it can be recycled at Bainbridge Disposal. Also, with liquid fat, if you strain it and get lumps out, put it with your motor oil. City of Tacoma Solid Waste will take it at their Hazardous Waste Facility to be recycled into pet food.

Disposable diapers: There are many types of disposable diapers. Many are made of recycled materials and can more readily de-compose than others. Sending the excrement down your toilet will help in reducing the waste. And using cloth is a way to stop anything from going to the landfill.

Where to Recycle: We’re stumped on this one. But, link here for a funny option.

Pet waste and litter: Pet waste needs to be properly disposed of, as it is a major contributor to contaminants found in city drainage and run-off water that goes into Puget Sound. Bagging all pet waste is a pet owner's responsibility. Do not put pet waste in compost containers.

Paint cans (dry and empty): Where to Recycle: Bainbridge Disposal, metal recycling.

Hazardous Waste (paints, stains, oil, pool/spa chemicals): Where to Recycle: Kitsap County Household Hazardous Waste Facility

Bainbridge Island’s Operation Maintenance Facility (7305 Hidden Cove Rd.), once or twice a year, will take the following items: oil-based paints, stains, adhesives, hard chemicals, pool/spa chemicals, paint thinners, aerosols, corrosive cleaners. No latex paint, no containers larger than 5 gallon, no antifreeze, no fluorescent bulbs, no batteries (household or auto).

Styrofoam food containers: Where to Recycle: These are not recyclable anywhere. Many US cities have banned them.

Styrofoam Blocks: Where to Recycle: Free drop-off at a recycle location in Renton.

Plastic utensils: Keep them clean and perhaps they can be used for a school outing. Compostable ones are now available.

Silica Gel: How to Re-Use: Don't throw these little packets away! Re-use them by putting them in your seed storage container for keeping them dry. They can help keep anything dry, like old photos or precious video tape. If you put the packets in with your silver, they help slow down the tarnishing process.

Phone Books: Reduce: You can opt out of getting so many phone books delivered. Here's the list:

Wine Corks & Bottle Caps: Where to Reuse: Stockpile them and then offer them up on Freecycle or Craigslist for a local artist or crafter to use. Drop off corks at locations in Seattle to be re-fashioned into wine bottle-friendly transport cases. Cork ReHarvest, drop off corks at Whole Foods Markets; Anchovies & Olives, 1550 15th Ave. (206-838-8080); How to Cook a Wolf, 2208 Queen Anne Ave. N. (206-838-8090); Tavolàta, 2323 Second Ave. (206-838-8008); or Union, 1400 First Ave. (206-838-8000).

Books: Where to Recycle: Most books can be taken to the Library or to Bainbridge Disposal where they send them on to Readingtree. Children’s Books are also accepted locally for Children’s Libraries in the Himalaya at: Magic Yeti Children’s Libraries (clarkliesl@mac.com). Email for pickup.

Toothbrushes & Razors: Where to Recycle: Reuse your toothbrush as an all-purpose cleaning tool and then buy a Preserve toothbrush and razor that’s made of recycled materials and can be mailed back to the company (they include a mailer with the brush) to be recycled. Wooden, all natural toothbrushes are out there, too.

Makeup/Cosmetics: Any brand of makeup containers: jars, bottles.

Where to Recycle: Any Origins store. The nearest store is in Bellevue.

Balloons: Where to Reuse: The crinkly mylar-type balloon is not recyclable but it is reusable. You can refill them or reuse as a bag or wrapping paper for future presents.

Videotapes, CDs, DVDs, Audio Cassettes, printer cartridges, etc: Diskettes, zip disks, CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVDs et al, video tape (i.e. VHS), audio tape, game cartridges, DAT, DLT, Beta or Digibeta, and virtually all other type of computer tapes. Hard drives, Zip and Jazz drives, jump drives, etc. All forms of printer cartridges including both inkjet and toner.

Where to Recycle: Greendisk.

Rechargeable Batteries: Where to Recycle: Call2Recycle runs programs through RadioShack (7/10), Home Depot, Lowe’s, Staples, and Target. Drop-off boxes should be at the stores. At Wal-Mart you can pick up a mailing label and send your cell phone to a collection point for free.

Cell Phones: Be sure to take your SIM card out of your cell phone to avoid identity theft.
Where to Reuse: The YWCA Alive program at the courthouse in Rolling Bay will program some of them to call 911 only and give them to clients.  (7/10)
Where to Recycle:  The YWCA Alive program at the courthouse in Rolling Bay sends off those they do not keep as 911 phones to be recycled and receives money back on each phone recycled.  (7/10)   Curves sends them to BCS Recycling Specialists, who pays Curves’ designated charity, Helpline House. (7/10)   RadioShack sends them toCall2Recycle . (7/10)

Where to Recycle: Call2Recycle runs programs through RadioShack, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Staples, and Target. Drop-off boxes should be at the stores. At Wal-Mart you can pick up a mailing label and send your cell phone to a collection point for free.

Toothpaste Tubes: So many varieties, some made of plastic, some of aluminum, but aside from just using baking soda, most tubes are not recyclable. Check to make sure. And send back to the manufacturer if they have a program.

Where to Recycle: Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste tubes are made of aluminum and they will take them back. Read their recycling directions here.

Deodorant and Antiperspirant: Where to Recycle: Stick deodorant – Most Containers are Polypropylene #5, recyclable on Bainbridge. Roll-on deodorant -- Container and roller ball: HDPE #2, recyclable at a Seattle Transfer Station. Link here for locations. Cap: Polypropylene #5, can go to Aveda. Nearest Store: Pacific Place Aveda Store, 600 Pine Street SPC 136, Seattle, WA 98101, 206-624-2450.

Medication: DO NOT FLUSH MEDICATIONS DOWN THE TOILET.  They are suspected of adversely affecting aquatic life and have shown up in drinking water.
Where to Dispose:   Group Health in Poulsbo during business hours.  Leave the medication in the original containers (6/10):
Prescription meds (except narcotics)
Over-the-counter meds
Veterinary meds
Medicated ointments and lotions
Liquid medication in glass or leak-proof containers

Printer Cartridges and some office equipment: Where to Recycle:Curves sends them to BCS Recycling Specialists, who pays Curves’ designated charity, Helpline House.  Staples (Silverdale) gives customers monthly store credit of $2 per cartridge. (7/10)

Television sets: Where to Recycle: They can be taken to Bainbridge Disposal, but Sony also provides a $100 credit on televisions you bring back when buying a new one.

Scotch tape-style dispensers: Where to Recycle: Terracycle is a company that makes things out of those things that can’t be readily recycled. They are now accepting tape dispensers.

Construction and Demolition Debris: By weight, the single largest category of materials that go into the landfill.

Where to Recycle: Link here to see Bainbridge Disposal list. Call them for pick-up (for a fee), or take it to their facility here on Bainbridge Island. They also provide containers to put on your job site.

Food: Canned food and fresh produce. Where to Recycle: All are accepted at Helpline House.

Refrigerators and Freezers: (Must be in working condition)
Where to Recycle:   Puget Sound Energy’s program pays $30 and will pick up at your house, provided you are a PSE customer. Call 1-866-551-9755. (7/10)

Great Resources For How To Reuse/Recycle Items

Kitsap County’s helpful where to recycle list.

Ask Evelyn is an amazing tool for figuring out how to reuse or recycle many items, like old clothes/textiles, furniture, etc.

Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s Tips on how to reduce your plastic waste.

 

Zero Waste Event Guide Helpful tips

*Do not use what is unnecessary (waste reduction) – For example, do you really need straws?
*Use what can be used again (reusable).
*If you have considered the above two criteria and still need items for your event, think compostable and recyclable.
*Disposable stations must combine all the containers together: recycling/trash/ composting.  If you leave a container by itself, it will become contaminated.
*Clearly define (label) what goes into each container.  Taping samples of your serving ware onto the appropriate container provides even greater clues.
*If someone can stand at the station to indicate what goes where, chances of contamination are slim.