The Exchange Update | March 2026

Last month, residents of Orcas Island responded to an incident involving a drifting dock with deteriorating plastic-wrapped styrofoam floats. The floats were breaking apart and spreading around the beach and into the next cove. The incident sheds light on a growing microplastic risk and how unprepared we remain to respond.

Starting this month, we’ll be accepting your empty prescription bottles for FREE. Just drop them off at the transfer station cashier booth.

The Great Islands Cleanup is back next month – Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 10am to 2pm.

From the beginning, the Great Islands Cleanup has been rooted in community action. Our Power, Our Planet. Our responsibility to protect our beautiful Islands, together.

Stay turned for more information and follow the Great Islands Cleanup on Facebook and Instagram.

Mulch is Available

Come by during regular business hours (Thurs. thru Mon. from 10 am to 4 pm) and grab some zero waste much. $35/yard.

We can load your truck (no deliveries). Call ahead for large loads (360-376-4089 x 1).

Quickest service is available in the morning; please be prepared for a wait if we are super busy.

If you’re curious, feel free to bring a 5 gallon bucket and take home a free sample. Just let the scale house cashier know on your way down!

Change to Lightbulb Recycling Program

This month we began charging the public to recycle light bulbs due to a recent change to a state-funded program that will no longer be covering the cost to recycle mercury-containing fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lightbulbs, or CFLs.

Tubes of any length are $2.00, and CFL bulbs will cost $1.00. LED and Halogen bulbs will be accepted for the same prices.