Orcas Island ExchangeUpdate: Plastic Bag Ban
Jan 1 Update: Governor Inslee has delayed the implementation of the plastic bag ban citing supply chain issues affecting retailers’ ability to procure the alternative bags due to the coronavirus pandemic. We’ll keep you updated as…
New Glass Crusher on The Way
Thanks to your support over the last year, we have placed a $57,000 down payment on a new glass crushing system from Andela Products Company, of Richfield Springs, NY. Glass has little or no value as…
A “Good” Clothing Option
The Exchange continues to have some limitations on accepting clothing donations and we understand this, in turn, effects our customers’ ability to buy preowned clothing from us. Board Member Asifa Pasin shares her recent experience with…
The Compost Pile Explained
There is a difference between soil creation and a moldering heap. Composting is a process that works to speed up the natural decay of organic material by providing the ideal conditions for detritus-eating organisms to thrive….
Recycling is Not Enough–Reuse!
If you’re looking for ways to keep education flowing through your household during the stay-at-home orders, check out this video and discussion guide from Alex Eaves. Alex takes us on a journey around the country looking…
The Exchange Supports Art for Kids At Home
If you have OISD kids at home between the ages of 5 and 18, Art for Orcas Kids (AOK) is offering free weekly age appropriate art packs during this period of social distancing. Brook Meinhardt is…
What’s Wrong with this Photo?
A photo taken earlier this month at the recycling wall area raises this question: A. Is it mixed, co-mingled recycling dumped on top of separated clean, dry, flattened, corrugated cardboard that has value; or B. Is…
Help Us Upgrade Island Recycling!
Help ORS build an up-graded recycling facility on Orcas. The recycling system in America is currently broken. And while we can’t fix the Country, we do have a solution for Orcas. Next time you come to…
Zero Waste Mulch Available
For a couple of years now we have been accepting clean green yard-waste material at a significant discount. We just did our second major grind, and now we have over 200 yards of totally local composted mulch for sale! What…
Hazardous Waste Roundup June 23rd
The annual County-wide hazardous waste collection event is scheduled for Sunday, June 23rd. The event is free to all Orcas households. Businesses must register in advance. You can do that here. We will be accepting gasoline…
