Where does everything go?
The issue: The landfill
Island County solid waste collected on Whidbey Island is sent to the Roosevelt Regional Landfill, located more than 400 miles away in south central Washington. The landfill pollutes the environment and the long train journey causes air pollution. The money and resources spent on transporting waste to the Roosevelt Regional Landfill could be better used to support Island County Community members in more sustainable ways.
rePurpose: Our Solution
At rePurpose, our goal is to redirect reusable and recycling materials from the Roosevelt Regional Landfill. We aim to achieve this by inspiring our community to rethink how we view and manage “waste.” Many of the items commonly considered trash are actually valuable materials for art projects or other avenues of reuse or recycling.
What we Accept
We accept more than 30 different materials for reuse and recycling, detailed below in our “Fresh Sheet.”
rePurpose “Fresh Sheet” which details all of the items we accept at the rePurpose Recycling Center.
Where does it all go?
Many of our members have asked us what we do with all of the materials that we collect.
Here is a breakdown of where everything we collect is transported to:
Thin plastic film → rePurpose volunteers transport this to Styrorecycle in Kent.
Coffee & Tea Packaging → Sent to Terracycle
Metallic Film, Netting & Blister Packs → Sent to Terracycle
Milk, Ice Cream & Tetra Pak Cartons → Transported off island for recycling
Paper & Plastic Drink Cups & Lids → Transported off island for recycling
Laminated Paper → Sent to Terracycle
#1 Plastics → MCS Recycle in Freeland, formerly the location of Island Recycling
#2 Plastics → MCS Recycle in Freeland, formerly the location of Island Recycling
#5 Plastics → Sent to the Remakery in Tacoma and other off island recycling centers
Disposable gloves → Sent to Terracycle
Commercially Compostable Packaging → Sent to Terracycle
Natural & Synthetic Corks → Kept in the Reuse Center at The People’s House, also brought to local schools, preschools, and art studios for art projects and reuse.
Plastic Caps & Lids → rePurpose volunteers bring these to the Remakery in Tacoma.
Beauty, Skincare & Haircare Packaging → Sent to Terracycle
Art Supplies containers and materials (empty) → Sent to Terracycle
Prescription Pill Bottles → rePurpose volunteers bring this to the Remakery in Tacoma.
I Support the Girls items → Given to I Support the Girls located in Oak Harbor, who connect with women who need those items.
Eyeglasses → Given to the Whidbey Island Lions Club located in Oak Harbor who connect them with people who need them around the world.
Criss-Cross Patterned Pet & Feed Bags → Given to Janet Harris, The Crazy Bag Lady of Langley, who sews them into reusable shopping bags
Gift Packaging & Cards → Kept in the Reuse Center at The People’s House, also brought to local schools, preschools, and art studios for art projects and reuse.
Egg cartons → Brought to local farms for reuse and local recycling centers for recycling
Tattered clothes and shoes → Brought to the Northwest Corner box at Bayview Recycling Center
Fine or Cut Papers & Magazines → Kept in the Reuse Center at The People’s House, also brought to local schools, preschools, and art studios for art projects and reuse.
Unique Items & Art Supplies → Kept in the Reuse Center at The People’s House, also brought to local schools, preschools, and art studios for art projects and reuse.
Small Nonworking Appliances & Cell Phones → MCS Recycle in Freeland, formerly the location of Island Recycling. Appliances are disassembled before being brought to MCS Recycle.
Cables, Wire, Cords & String Lights → MCS Recycle in Freeland, formerly the location of Island Recycling and Coupeville Transfer Station
Alkaline batteries → Brought off island for recycling
LED Lightbulbs → Sent to Terracycle
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS, aka Styrofoam) Blocks, Trays & Peanuts → Brought to our EPS densifier located in Bodega Storage in Coupeville.
LDPE Soft Foam Sheets & Blocks → rePurpose volunteers transport this to Styrorecycle in Kent.
Our Reuse Center:
Many of the materials we collect are valuable items that could be reused or repurposed, for example, for use in art projects.
If you know of a family or organization that needs materials, please come see us on Wednesdays from 12-4 at The People’s House 724 Camano Ave, Langley, WA 98260.
Reach out to solveig@repurposewhidbey.org if you have any questions or are in need of scheduling accommodation.
Let’s work together to keep valuable items from being sent to the Roosevelt Landfill located over 400 miles away!
Interested in being a part of rePurpose’s zero waste efforts?
Become a rePurpose member or join us as a Volunteer Member today to contribute to positive change in our community!