Waste Wise is an Island County WSU Extension program that offers outreach and education to help reduce solid waste. Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost!
The Waste Wise Facebook page is available as a resource and point of connection for Waste Wise volunteers and interested community members. Waste 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. That includes keeping our water clean and generating less waste. We do this by learning to reduce, re-use and recycle our garbage, and by composting as much yard waste as possible and returning the nutrients to the land.
Waste Wise was formed in 1992 and originally called Waste Warriors. It is a volunteer organization administered by Washington State University Extension for Island County. Volunteers receive four weeks of classroom training on techniques for reducing solid waste. In return, they agree to give back 25 hours of community service in sharing what they’ve learned.
In its 23 years of operation, the program has trained many dedicated and talented volunteers from a rich variety of backgrounds. They include airline pilots, medical doctors, students, retirees, construction workers, chemists and caterers.
What Waste Wise Volunteers Do
Waste Wise Volunteers share ideas and techniques with the community in a variety of educational and practical ways, including:
Annual training sessions on Camano and Whidbey Islands
Classes – community education and schools
Displays
Booths at fairs and festivals
Recycle bins at community events
Composting demonstration sites at Admiralty Head Lighthouse, Oak Harbor and Good Cheer Garden
School programs
Presentations to businesses
Service-club speakers
Brochures and educational materials
Contact WSU Extension Waste Wise Island County to learn more about how you can preserve and maintain our beautiful islands.
