We still need to fill over 40 Zero Waste discard station shifts for July 4th. Please sign up here to make waste diversion a success at the Bainbridge Grand Old Fourth. When signing in, ignore the Doodle's "vote" language -- just know the slot you check is the slot you'll take. (Heck, take two shifts!)

And don't worry, you do not need experience. We will have a "cheat sheet" to help you out.

Shift needs

6:45-8:45am - 5 more 8:45-10:45am - 8 more

10:45-12:45 - 8 more

12:45-2:45 - 8 more

2:45-4:45 - 8 more

4:45- 6:30 - 7 more

The other big, fun volunteer event on the island is the Rotary Auction. This is a multi-day effort by 2000 volunteers!

The Rotary Green Team makes sure everything that can be reused or recycled is. To help out, first sign up here as a general volunteer, then follow the directions to choose Green Team shifts.

The action starts Saturday, June 29, and runs through the following Saturday (excluding part of July 3 and all of July 4.)

Here is a grim but visually interesting article from the Washington Post on the presence of micro and nanoplastics in our environment and bodies.

The United Nations has 175 countries on board to develop a Global Plastics Treaty that will address how we produce and handle plastics. Talks are already underway and are expected to conclude in November. Turning off the production tap of non-essential single-use plastic products would be a major step in dealing with plastic proliferation.

On an individual level, one area over which we have some control of microplastic pollution is our clothes. Buy used, buy non-polyester.

Know that washing can release millions of microfibers, so wash less frequently, especially those notoriously shedding fleeces. Here are nine tips you might consider to reduce microplastic fiber releases.

Correction to the May newsletter

The new North Kitsap household hazardous waste facility is scheduled to open in the summer of 2025 (not the spring).

Whenever you are looking for a destination for something not accepted in your curbside bin, be sure to visit the

 "Guide to Reusing and/or Recycing Locally" on our website.