Thank you to Eco-Cycle, one of the oldest mission-based recyclers and zero waste organizations in the United States, for allowing us to reprint the following article, with appropriate edits based on our local practices...

This Halloween season, spooky stories aren’t the only things creeping up—so are myths about recycling! From misleading “chasing arrows” symbols to tricky “biodegradable” claims, there’s plenty of greenwashing out there waiting to fool you. But fear not! Eco-Cycle and Zero Waste BI are here to bust the scariest recycling myths once and for all. 

Learn how recycling truly saves energy, why recycling does work, and what to keep out of the landfill crypt. It’s time to separate fact from fright—and make sure your zero waste habits don’t turn into horror stories.

>> Read on if you dare…

Speaking of recycling, there was good feedback to the "Garbage Alternatives" poster we published last month. Click below right for the fourth and final (for now!) iteration. Click below left for the poster with the "Garbage" section on which the alternatives poster is based.

Sailing Team Fundraiser

Get rid of perfectly good winter gear you no longer use and support a good cause in the process.

The Bainbridge High School sailing team holds an annual fundraiser for their program. From now till November 7, they are collecting gently used items at BI Physical Therapy at 563 Madison Av N.



Then on November 8, 10am-2pm, head to the Masonic Center across from the high school for the sale. Come early for the best gear and deals!

​Questions? Contact skiswap@bhssailing.org.

Donations accepted 



• Downhill and cross country skis
• Ski poles
• Ski and snowboard boots
• Ski and snowboard parts
• Snowboards
• Sleds
• Jackets
• Winter gloves
• Snow pants
• Ski goggles
• Hats
• Boots
• Car racks

Donations to STEM Class

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) class at Blakely Elementary School, 4704 Blakely Ave, is always on the look-out for interesting items to use in construction and experimentation. If you have anything from the list below, please drop off at the school's front desk.

Supplies requested



• Sturdy small to medium-sized boxes
• Cool metal bits, pieces and contraptions
• Marbles
• Ping Pong, Tennis, Whiffle or misc Balls
• Fake Flowers
• Fabric
• Beautiful miscellaneous things taking up space at your house
• Any other amazing, creative and/or phenomenal building supplies

Follow the guidelines above and bring good quality clothing and shoes to the semi-annual ReFashion Bainbridge clothing swap at Filipino American Hall.

Saturday, November 8, 12-4pm > Drop-off

Sunday, November 9, 12-2:20pm > Free shopping (Donations gladly accepted to help pay for rental of the building.)

As before, there will be menders ready to make minor repairs on your textile goods.

Email organizers Rachel Knudson or Wendy McAbee with questions.

For stained or holey clothing, drop-off at Esther's Fabrics now through November 11. Remove any zippers, buttons, elastic or fur.

ReFashion Bainbridge is participating in a pilot program with Satsuma Designs in Seattle to shred end-of-life clothing. This shredded material is called shoddy and can serve as an alternative stuffing to virgin polyester fiberfill.

 With Kathy McGowan's son off to college and Flashdrive's "client" list now at 385, Kathy is looking for volunteer drivers to help with pick-ups and on some occasions, drop-offs, in order to maximize efficiency and to encourage consolidation.

If you are not familiar with Flashdrive, please read this article, then consider joining the effort. To see the fruits of past pick-ups, go to Instagram at bi_flashdrive.

Here are the key things for potential drivers to know:

1. For the driver's convenience, we will only assign pick-up locations that are close to your home.

2. We will provide you with a pick-up list the day prior to the Flashdrive, which is when we tend to get a flurry of pick-up requests.

3. We request that you pick up items on our Flashdrive date.

4. After you collect your items, we will swing by your house to gather the items. There may be some occasions where we can use help with delivering the collected items to their destination, but this option will be on a case-by-case only. 

If interested or if you have questions, please email Kathy and let her know where on the island you live. She is hoping to create a list of volunteer drivers for various parts of the island (e.g. South End, North End, Winslow, Fletcher Bay, etc).  

Thank you so much for considering and, as always, for caring about reuse, recycling and community,

The ReUse Depot, a new project within Sustainable Bainbridge, now has its own website. See how you can help get this great idea of the ground, either through planning, donating, or fiscally supporting.

Take the organizers' survey here to help shape the Library of Things, one facet of The ReUse Depot.

We changed our name! Instead of Bainbridge Island Zero Waste, we are now Zero Waste Bainbridge Island.

Now when you receive emails from us, you'll immediately know which Bainbridge Island organization is sending you a message -- the distinguishing part comes first. Starting with "Zero Waste" also aligns us better with other ZW groups, such as Zero Waste Washington and Zero Waste Vashon.

The ZWBI Reuse/Recycle Guide now has a new page that links to wishlists of local nonprofit organizations that will take used items. We need help in expanding this list. If you have a link for a wishlist of a BI or Kitsap nonprofit, please email Diane Landry.

Whenever you are looking for a destination for something not accepted in your curbside bin, be sure to visit the

 "Guide to Reusing and/or Recycing Locally" on our website. If you have an addition for it or see a correction needed, please contact me.

Newsletter editor: Diane Landry, BI Zero Waste (Volunteer) Director

Back issues are available here.

BI Zero Waste is an all-volunteer program of Sustainable Bainbridge.

Send feedback here.