When: Tuesday, February 24 


5-6:30pm 


Where: Marge Williams Center

You are cordially invited to our next Zero Waste meeting. It's a chance to meet others who also like to find ways to avoid filling up trash cans. :)

After introductions at 5:00pm...

5:10-5:30 - Naomi Spinak, one of the three founders of The ReUse Depot, will introduce us to this new initiative.

5:30-6:30 -

• Brief WA legislative updates on waste-related bills
• ZW updates
• Your chance to ask questions or show and tell us how 
   you reduce/reuse

If you can't come in person, there is a Zoom option.

If the Zero Waste meeting whets your interest and you want a more in-depth introduction to The ReUse Depot, plan on attending their inaugural information meeting on Wednesday, March 18, at 6:30pm in BARN's meeting room.

To keep abreast of ReUse Depot developments, sign up for their newsletter by scrolling to the bottom of this page.

Styrofoam

If you haven't heard the big news, Kitsap Solid Waste will NOT be holding its Styrofoam collection this year. Expanded polystyrene is a problematic material to collect in more ways than one. Click here to read why both Zero Waste BI and KSW no longer collect it.

If you haven't noticed, there are fewer polystyrene products showing up nowadays because of Washington state laws that have banned certain Styrofoam products: food service items like bowls, trays, clamshells and cups, as well as portable coolers (excluding those for shipped medical and food) and packing peanuts.

The previous issue of the Zero Waste newsletter highlighted one Poulsbo business that will reuse your Styrofoam shipping coolers.

Electric Toothbrush - Body



The body of your electric toothbrush (remove and trash the head) can go in the battery bucket at the Bainbridge Disposal Transfer Station.

The body most likely contains a lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Li-ion batteries are the primary cause of not uncommon fires at both 1) transfer stations, where our trash is hauled before heading by train to a landfill in Oregon, and 2) materials recovery facilities, where our recycling is taken.

Make it a habit to set aside any dead batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, button, rechargeable), then make a trip once in a while to dispose of them, for free, in the battery buckets in the shed at the BD Transfer Station.

ReFashion Bainbridge has two patch offerings:

• Outdoor gear patching - Thursday, February 26, 6-8pm @ Esther's Fabrics. More info here.

• Coats & pants patching - Sunday, March 8, 12-2:30 @ Filipino American Hall (during Clothing Swap - see poster farther below)

Wanted!

Another textile/clothing mender for the Fix-it Fair. Please contact Heather Dowey if you have a lead.

Help us and the Senior & Community Center keep landfill waste low at the chili feed that caps off the annual Chilly Hilly ride on Sunday, February 22. Contact Barbara Ochota to be a discard station volunteer anytime between 10am-2pm. The bikers really appreciate our efforts!

Get your donations ready for the February Flashdrive collection, pet supplies for the Prison Pet Partnership. Specifically, gather up any of these items that are gently used:

• Dog coats and sweaters
• Training vests
• Dog beds
• Slip & regular leashes
• Dog collars
• KONGs
• Baby gates
• Dog crates & covers
• Tennis balls & Chuck Its
• Dog brushes and dog grooming supplies

When announced, the house pick-up date will be posted on this page.

Judith Enck's seven-session "Go Beyond Plastic Pollution" class starts this Wednesday, February 18. This popular in-depth master class meets virtually from 4-6pm. Register here.

Have you ever wondered how your recyclables get sorted? Now you can take a virtual tour of a materials recovery facility (MRF) and ask all your burning questions.

Waste Management, the company that owns the MRF where Bainbridge Disposal trucks our recyclables, will hold the virtual recycling center tour on Friday, February 27, 12pm-1pm. Register here.

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, Zero Waste BI (Volunteer) Director

Back issues are available here.

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

Send feedback here.