Orcas Island ExchangeSpring Material and Tool Recycling
The arrival of spring means warmer weather, spring cleaning, as well as home, yard, and garden projects. If you’re doing any kind of building you’ve probably been shocked by the rising cost of lumber – up…
Put Cardboard in its Place
When you pull up to the recycling area at ORS you may already know that the dedicated cardboard container is the one on the far right. We understand, however, that there is still some confusion because…
Great Islands Clean Up becomes Month-long Individual Effort
The Spring Great Islands Clean Up has been cancelled, but you can still do your part. In honor of Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary this April, Islanders are encouraged to use the whole month to help tidy…
Orcas Residents Supporting Health Care Workers
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is causing shortages of personal-protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers and hospice caregivers on Orcas Island. Some island residents have banded together and are actively working to help create solutions. When…
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…
ORS/The Exchange Announces New Board President
Orcas Recycling Services (ORS)/The Exchange has elected Jim “Duff” Duffield as its new president of the board of directors. Duff replaces Tim Blanchard, who has served the board and ORS since its inception. Tim remains on…
Recognition by Zero Waste Washington
Orcas Island Recycling Services/The Exchange was recently recognized by Zero Waste Washington with a number of other zero waste movements across Washington State. Author Mariel Fernandez Thuraisingham writes: “Orcas Island Recycling Services and Exchange began as…
Replace Plastic Wrap with Beeswax Wrap!
Board Member, Asifa Pasin has ran multiple successful Beeswax Wrap classes. This Workshop focuses on making your own reusable items from Beeswax! Replace all those zipped plastic bags with beeswax wraps, and beeswax sandwich and snack…
WATCH: How The Orcas Exchange Became a Zero Waste Model
Watch the story of how a rag-tag island swap meet turned into a model non-profit, zero-waste reuse and recycling facility.
