{"id":77,"date":"2018-08-28T11:34:09","date_gmt":"2018-08-28T18:34:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/island\/?page_id=77"},"modified":"2026-03-17T12:52:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T19:52:26","slug":"waste-wise","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/island\/nrs\/waste-wise\/","title":{"rendered":"Waste Wise"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wsu-hero wsu-width--full wsu-pattern--wsu-light-radial-left  wsu-hero--size-small \">\n\t\n\t<div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image-frame--fill\">\n\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/20180324_155621-scaled-1.jpg\"\n\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/20180324_155621-scaled-1.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/20180324_155621-scaled-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/20180324_155621-scaled-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/20180324_155621-scaled-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/20180324_155621-scaled-1.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/20180324_155621-scaled-1.jpg 2048w\"\n\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"\n\t\talt=\"Various trash items.\"\n\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 50% 50%\"\n\t\t\/>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wsu-overlay wsu-pattern-after wsu-overlay--none wsu-pattern--none\"><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__content\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"breadcrumbs\" typeof=\"BreadcrumbList\" vocab=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/\">\r\n\t<!-- Breadcrumb NavXT 7.2.0 -->\n<span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to WSU Extension.\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/\" class=\"main-home\" ><span property=\"name\">WSU Extension<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"1\"><\/span>\r\n\r\n &gt; <span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to WSU Extension.\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/\" class=\"home\" aria-current=\"page\"><span property=\"name\">WSU Extension<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"2\"><\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div><header class=\"wsu-article-header \">\r\n\t<h1 class=\"wsu-article-header__title\">\r\n\t\tWaste Wise\t<\/h1>\r\n\t\t<\/header>\r\n\n\n\n<p>Program Contact: Sarah Bergquist, Waste Wise Program Coordinator<br>360-639-6062 \u2022&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:sarah.bergquist@wsu.edu\">sarah.bergquist@wsu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-right\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WSU Waste Wise of Island County<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Waste is about more than what goes to the landfill. It is about resource consumption, waste of work time, habitat loss, carbon footprint, environmental inequity, public health, pollution, and more.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>WSU Waste Wise of Camano and Whidbey Islands is an education outreach program supported by staff and volunteers who share with others throughout the greater community what they learn in training.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We teach practical waste diversion skills like composting and vermiculture, how to recycle correctly, and safe ways to handle household hazardous waste. Our programs highlight simple, effective ways to reduce and reuse so we can all live more lightly on the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Waste Wise works at schools, fairs, information booths, businesses and other settings. This work is important because:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-100466 size-thumbnail\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"296\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/Liz-plastic-990x1168-cropped-296x300.jpg\" alt=\"Waste Wise volunteer helping someone learn recycling rules\" class=\"wp-image-100466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/Liz-plastic-990x1168-cropped-296x300.jpg 296w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/Liz-plastic-990x1168-cropped-768x780.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/Liz-plastic-990x1168-cropped.jpg 794w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 296px) 100vw, 296px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Waste Wise volunteer helping someone learn new recycling sorting rules. Always make sure they are empty, clean, and dry!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Our global and local trash&nbsp;production continues to climb<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Organic waste (food and yard waste) in our landfills contributes to climate change<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plastic recycling rates are steady at approximately 9% showing that recycling plastic does not work well<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We have no active landfill in Island County and transport out of the county is costly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Our drinking water comes from one, sole source underground aquifer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We live in a beautiful place and want to keep it that way!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Island County is made up of islands. Most of our drinking water comes from groundwater. To protect our drinking water, Island County closed its Coupeville landfill in 1992 and converted it to a transfer station. All solid waste is transported out-of-county &#8211; in fact, to the Roosevelt Regional Landfill in south central Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Camano and Whidbey Islands, trash is collected at five transfer points called drop-box facilities, located at Camano Hill Road, Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Freeland and Bayview. It is then trucked to a railhead on the mainland, where it is loaded aboard trains and transported to&nbsp;Roosevelt Regional Landfill&nbsp;in Southeast Washington, for disposal. This is expensive, resource intensive and carbon-intensive. The most important path to lowering our waste footprint is to consume less and re-use more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Waste Wise is a program with&nbsp;Washington State University Extension, Island County&nbsp;and supported by Island County Solid Waste. You will find us at the WSU Extension Office in the Coupeville (staffed Monday &#8211; Friday).&nbsp;We&nbsp;are located at 406 N. Main Street and on Camano Island at the Multipurpose Building at 141 NE Camano Drive (by appointment).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">For additional information, please contact us:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sarah Bergquist, Waste Wise Program Educator and Coordinator- County Wide<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Phone: 360-639-6062<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Email: <a href=\"mailto:sarah.bergquist@wsu.edu\" data-type=\"mailto\" data-id=\"mailto:sarah.bergquist@wsu.edu\">sarah.bergquist@wsu.edu<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fax: 360-678-6680<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>WSU Extension &#8211; Island County &#8211; 406 N. Main, Coupeville, WA 98239<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Heather Vitiaz, Camano Island Waste Wise, Climate Stewards, and Shore Stewards Program Coordinator<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Phone: 360-639-4608 (office) 206-334-5467 (mobile)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Email: <a href=\"mailto:heather.vitiaz@wsu.edu\" data-type=\"mailto\" data-id=\"mailto:heather.teegarden@wsu.edu\">heather.vitiaz@wsu.edu<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>WSU Extension &#8211; Island County, 141 NE Camano Drive, Camano, WA (by appointment)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Waste Wise Volunteers<\/strong>: Visit the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/island\/nrs\/waste-wise\/waste-wise-volunteers-page\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/island\/nrs\/waste-wise\/waste-wise-volunteers-page\/\">Waste Wise Volunteers Page<\/a>&nbsp;for up-to-date volunteer opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get involved!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/island\/nrs\/waste-wise\/waste-wise-volunteer-training\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/island\/nrs\/waste-wise\/training-page-fall-2021\/\">Sustainability and Waste Wise Training Page<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<div class=\"wsu-cta  wsu-cta--width-full\" >\n\t<a \t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/island\/nrs\/waste-wise\/waste-wise-volunteer-training\/\"\t\n\t\tclass=\"wsu-button \">\n\t\t\t\n\t\tWaste Wise Training \t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"791\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/02\/2026-WW-Camano-Training-flyer-2-791x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-112219\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/02\/2026-WW-Camano-Training-flyer-2-791x1024.jpg 791w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/02\/2026-WW-Camano-Training-flyer-2-232x300.jpg 232w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/02\/2026-WW-Camano-Training-flyer-2-768x994.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/02\/2026-WW-Camano-Training-flyer-2-1187x1536.jpg 1187w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/02\/2026-WW-Camano-Training-flyer-2.jpg 1275w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 791px) 100vw, 791px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-cta  wsu-cta--width-full\" >\n\t<a \t\t\t\n\t\tclass=\"wsu-button \">\n\t\t\t\n\t\tUpcoming Events\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized  wsu-cta--width-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/Eco-Book-Group-Camano-Flyer-April-13-2026-791x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-112264\" width=\"359\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/Eco-Book-Group-Camano-Flyer-April-13-2026-791x1024.jpg 791w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/Eco-Book-Group-Camano-Flyer-April-13-2026-232x300.jpg 232w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/Eco-Book-Group-Camano-Flyer-April-13-2026-768x994.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/Eco-Book-Group-Camano-Flyer-April-13-2026-1187x1536.jpg 1187w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/Eco-Book-Group-Camano-Flyer-April-13-2026.jpg 1275w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 359px) 100vw, 359px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"791\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/Plastic-plant-pot-exchange-flyer-791x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-112283\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/Plastic-plant-pot-exchange-flyer-791x1024.jpg 791w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/Plastic-plant-pot-exchange-flyer-232x300.jpg 232w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/Plastic-plant-pot-exchange-flyer-768x994.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/Plastic-plant-pot-exchange-flyer-1187x1536.jpg 1187w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/Plastic-plant-pot-exchange-flyer.jpg 1275w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 791px) 100vw, 791px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/Camano-Homesteading-Fair-graphic.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-112287\" width=\"362\" height=\"175\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Save the Date for Saturday, May 16th, 10 am &#8211; 2 pm<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-cta  wsu-cta--width-full\" >\n\t<a \t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/island\/nrs\/waste-wise\/food-waste\/\"\t\n\t\tclass=\"wsu-button \">\n\t\t\t\n\t\tGoing Zero Waste\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-cta  wsu-cta--width-full\" >\n\t<a \t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/286838271339694?ref=embed_page\"\t\n\t\tclass=\"wsu-button \">\n\t\t\t\n\t\tFollow Us on Facebook\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-cta  wsu-cta--width-full\" >\n\t<a \t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/foundation.wsu.edu\/give\/?fund=910a1b48-ddac-48a3-b634-9a90f0ac18c2&#038;cat=idonate_campuses&#038;area=idonate_wsu_extension4-h&#038;utm_source=wsu-extension4-h&#038;utm_medium=wsu-link&#038;utm_campaign=island-county-environmental-education-fund\"\t\n\t\tclass=\"wsu-button \">\n\t\t\t\n\t\tDonate to the WSU Island County Environmental Education Fund\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-cta  wsu-cta--width-full\" >\n\t<a \t\t\t\t\thref=\"\/nrs\/waste-wise\/holiday-light-computer-cord-and-electrical-cord-recycling\/\"\t\n\t\tclass=\"wsu-button \">\n\t\t\t\n\t\tCord and Light Drive\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-cta  wsu-cta--width-full\" >\n\t<a \t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/island\/event\/sustainability-series-stemming-the-tide-on-plastic-can-washington-lead-the-way\/\"\t\n\t\tclass=\"wsu-button \">\n\t\t\t\n\t\tSustainability Speakers Series\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n<article class=\"wsu-card wsu-card--outline-shadow\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"wsu-title \">\r\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/island\/nrs\/waste-wise\/composting-in-island-county\/\">\t\t\t\tComposting \t\t\t<\/a>\t\t<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-caption\">\r\n\t\t\t25 to 40% of material in landfills is organic waste, yet nearly everyone can compost.\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<a class='wsu-card__link' href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/island\/nrs\/waste-wise\/composting-in-island-county\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><\/a><\/article>\n\n<ul class=\"wsu-news-list\">\r\n\t\t\t<li>\r\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/island\/2014\/12\/19\/household-hazardous-waste\/\">Household Hazardous Waste<\/a> \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tResidents in Island County can dispose of household hazardous waste for free at county transfer facilities on Whidbey and Camano Islands. For a list of locations, hours and what is&nbsp;accepted [&hellip;]\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-meta-date\"><time>December 19, 2014<\/time><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t<li>\r\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/island\/2014\/02\/26\/waste-wise-volunteers\/\">About Waste Wise Volunteers<\/a> \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWaste Wise Volunteers come from all walks of life and share the conviction that we must care for these beautiful islands to protect our quality of life.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-meta-date\"><time>February 26, 2014<\/time><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t<li>\r\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/island\/2014\/02\/26\/island-county-waste\/\">Island County Waste<\/a> \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCurbside recycling, self-sorting, and proper disposal of household hazardous waste&#8230;\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-meta-date\"><time>February 26, 2014<\/time><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t<\/ul>\r\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WSU Waste Wise of Island County Garbage is not glamorous, but a beautiful thing happens when we make less of it. 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