Vashon Recycling Events

April is a busy month for spring cleaning and recycling! I know Granny's Attic continues to get a tremendous amount of donations thanks to Islanders who believe in keeping gently used items in circulation and out of the trash (and in the process, they are supporting the health of fellow Islanders). And Vashon Freecycle has a large volume of items offered and taken on a daily basis. However, there are certain items that cannot be donated or thrown away (such as hazardous waste), but they can be recycled through the upcoming recycling events on Vashon Island:

Wastemobile Collection Event
Dates: April 11 - 13, 2008
Time: 10 AM to 5 PM
Location: K2 Parking Lot
Details: http://www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/wastemobile/index.html

Vashon Recycling Collection Event (some fees apply)
Date: April 26, 2008
Time: 9 AM to 3 PM
Location: Harbor School
Details: http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/garbage-recycling/event-detail.asp?ID=1000&Cal=1

New! Wednesday Night Farmer's Markets

The Wednesday night farmer's markets have begun! Now we have two opportunities each week to buy fresh island-grown produce and island-crafted gifts at the Village Green!! Notice that I qualified that statement with "at the Village Green," since we can also get fresh produce and u-pick items at farms around the island throughout the week! If you are interested in learning more about where you can get fresh fruits and veggies on the island, stop by the VIGA (Vashon Island Growers Association) booth at the Farmer's Market for a list of island farm stands and more information. You can also sign up to be on their mailing list!

Recycle...Reuse...Repeat...

I have been thinking a lot about the many terrific resources we have on Vashon, and wanted to share them with you! There is abundance here. There are many resources for items that community sharing and cooperation make available to us for free! Some of these resources are unique to Vashon; others originated elsewhere and are at work on Vashon. Regardless, these are all very cool resources that everyone should be aware of, for finding and sharing these items. If I missed anything here, please let me know...I would LOVE to add to this list!

Vashon Freecycle
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vashonfreecycle/
An online "bulletin board" where people post free items they are offering as well as items they need.

Craigslist
http://seattle.craigslist.org/
As defined by itself, craigslist is "local classifieds and forums for 450 cities worldwide - community moderated, and largely free". Not just limited to Vashon (but you can use "Vashon" as a search term to narrow the area), this site is a fun and easy way to post and find items available for free (there is an entire "free" category under the "for sale" section). There is no charge to post items for free or for sale!

The Beachcomber Recycler
http://vashonbeachcomber.nw-ads.com/ (click on "Free Items - Recycler" in the "Stuff" category)
Or just look at the classifieds section in a copy of the Beachcomber. There is no charge to advertise free items in the paper.

Freed Book Project
Located near the Beall Greenhouses and Blue Heron Pottery
I think this is one of my very favorite ideas ever, though caution must be exercised if you are a bibliophile. This project is run by volunteers who accept book donations, stamp the books with the "freed book" stamp, and then make the books available to people for free. This keeps the books out of the landfill and is a fabulous way to encourage reading. They have books of all types (kids, fiction, non-fiction, etc.) plus magazines and more. And they do not limit how many books you can take, so you can read to your heart's content. Normally open Saturday (10 to 2) and Sunday (12 to 4).

The Vashon Library
http://www.kcls.org/
Next to Ober Park
I just want to be certain that we're not taking this resource for granted. We have an awesome library, plus an awesome system that makes SO many terrific books and materials available to us. Do you know how easy it is to get a book from ANY of King County's libraries?? You can check out books, music, DVDs. You can also access one of the best language learning software available, for FREE, just by being a King County library card holder. Email me at jackie@kwvashon.com if you want the details on that!