Orcas Island ExchangeAnother Step Toward Zero Waste
Orcas Recycling Services (ORS) moved closer to its mission of “creating a zero waste community…” on November 3rd. About 40 invited guests–donors, contractors, public servants, and ORS staff–gathered to dedicate the new glass crusher. Jim “Duff”…
Zero Waste Mulch Available
True zero waste in practice! We have been taking the green waste you bring us, and grinding it up into mulch to re-use on the island! The result is a clean, fine mulch – the best…
New Glass Crusher is on its Way
A brand-new glass crusher will soon be on the road to Orcas from the Andela factory in upstate New York. These pictures show our crusher being made to order. Site prep has begun at the Orcas…
Update: 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…
