The following was submitted by Orcas Recycling Services
As Memorial Day marks the start of the summer season, the island is preparing itself for population increase. As more people enjoy Orcas, more waste is produced. How will Orcas Island deal with its waste?
Although Jocelyn Cecil, server at Island Hoppin’ Brewery, actively recycles, she admits she doesn’t always know what is recyclable.
“I know generally, but not as much as I should. I feel like it should be easier. I don’t always know what the numbers mean.”
Cecil self-hauls her recycling to the transfer station, or The Exchange, operated by Orcas Recycling Services, or ORS.
“Growing up, we watched videos about recycling. I thought all the glass was repurposed,” Cecil said.
In fact, all the glass collected at the Orcas Transfer Station and most glass collected around the country is now pulled out of the recycling stream and ends up in the landfill.
“Glass is an industry-wide problem,” ORS director Pete Moe said. “Until fairly recently, glass had some value, but things are changing. As a commodity, recycled glass is currently worth virtually nothing. That is a fact we can’t control but should try and respond to creatively.”
ORS, a nonprofit organization, is developing progressive waste reuse projects including refurbishing a previously-used glass crusher to create products of value for the island.
Comparatively, aluminum is worth $1,600 per ton.
That’s why ORS is developing a plan for separate collection of aluminum cans with the assistance of islanders so that the revenue can be devoted to advancing the ORS mission of building a zero waste community through service, education and responsible stewardship of our waste/resource streams.
“Every part of the waste stream is valued differently, and prices fluctuate wildly,” Moe says. “Where we want to go as an island is to identify the waste we can most easily extract for value and separate it. That’s why we are going to start encouraging everyone to buy their beer in cans instead of bottles from now on, and bring us the cans!”
Garbage and recycling volume doubles during the summer months on Orcas. For the August weekend of Doe Bay Fest alone, the island will increase in population by more than 1,000 visitors.
While enjoying restaurants, hotels, and public facilities, visitors will both stimulate the economy and produce substantial additional waste. ORS took over operation of the Orcas Transfer Station in September. Since then, they have developed a strong board of directors, a mission and a master plan to improve safety and traffic flow and they also expanded the hours for public access.
At the county council meeting on May 20 at Orcas Fire Hall, ORS presented their progress including development of a rate adjustment plan to adjust to increased operational costs.
“In just six months, we’ve accomplished quite a bit,” said board president Tim Blanchard. “We have a lot more to do, and we’re grateful for continued community support. It has been a tribute to the waste reduction values of Orcas Islanders, and we rely on it.”
Recent ORS projects include expanded collection of batteries, electronics, cooking oil for biofuel conversion and fluorescents.
ORS has incorporated a water catchment system, improved the tipping floor structure, and invested in heavy equipment to reduce costs.
ORS is exploring and testing programs for composting, hazardous waste, and anaerobic digesters, which could one day be a solution for the county’s noxious weed disposal problem.
More public outreach is planned including education in the schools, a “found” art show, and a Raise the Roof fundraiser for a new Exchange building.
As for the question of when we will have a new Exchange, ORS is optimistic: “The next step towards a new reuse center is funding,” says Moe. “We are actively pursuing grant funds to pay for the road and site work that must happen before we can put up any new structure.
I think if we can secure grant funding soon, if the permitting happens fast, and if the community comes together to help fund the building construction, we could have a new Exchange operating in the fall.”
“Our subcommittee is hard at work developing plans and designs for The Exchange. Every idea is still on the table,” Blanchard said. “We’ve had amazing community support from OICF, Port of Orcas, The Funhouse Commons, the Library, Public Works, and many island businesses and individuals. We’re committed to a dramatic reduction of Orcas waste. We believe that’s what the community wants us to do.”
Reducing waste is even more effective than recycling. Before you buy, use or discard an item, ask yourself: “Can I recycle this after I use it? Can I purchase this item with recycled content to stimulate the recycling market?”
ORS, The Exchange Recycling Guidelines
Accepted
• Mail (including window envelopes)
• Magazines, catalogs
• Newspapers, inserts
• Junk mailers
• Phone books, paperback books, office paper
• Shredded paper (in clear plastic bag only)
• Paper food boxes, egg cartons
• Paper grocery bags
• Paper cups (clean and empty)
• Paper milk and juice cartons
• Soymilk boxes and plastic dairy containers
• Yogurt cups
• Frozen food boxes
• Plastic bottles, jugs (labels okay, caps okay if screwed on, no dome tops or straws)
• Nursery pots and flats
• Glass bottles, jars (all colors, caps or lids okay if screwed on)
• Aluminum, “tin” cans
• Aluminum foil and aluminum food trays
• Empty aerosol cans
The following should be dropped off at the Orcas Island Transfer Station
• All batteries
• Uncontaminated antifreeze
• Motor oil
• Televisions
• Microwaves
• Computers, monitors
Not accepted
• Food residue; food-soiled paper
• Paper towels, plates, napkins, tissues
• Prescription vials
• Soiled “to go” food containers, plates, cups, utensils
• Styrofoam packaging, peanuts, forms and dock material
• Bubble, shrink food wrap
• Needles and syringes
• Disposable diapers
• Cloth and rags
• Construction, demolition materials
• Ceramics and dishes
• Mirrors, window glass
• Household batteries
• Light bulbs of all types
• Hazardous waste and toxic containers
• Propane bottles
• Gas cans and tanks
