ABOUT Waste Wise Volunteers
Filling a Need
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 40 hours of community service in sharing what they've learned.
In its 15 years of operation, the program has trained 160 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 pratical 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 site at Admiralty Head Lighthouse
- School programs
- Presentations to businesses
- Service-club speakers
- Brochures and educational materials
Classes and Demonstrations
Waste Wise training is conducted in the spring on Whidbey Island and Camano Island. For dates and details, please contact program manager Janet Hall at (360) 678-7974 or by email at halljn@wsu.edu.
A composting demonstration site is located near the program's headquarters at Admiralty Head Lighthouse on the grounds of Fort Casey State Park. The public may view several types of composting systems in service and consider the pros and cons of each.
Volunteers
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