A strong waste and recycling system doesn’t start at the transfer station gate; it starts in our homes, schools, and businesses. The decisions we make about what to buy, how to store things, and where to put them when we’re done create the foundation for success—or failure—downstream. That’s why outreach and education are just as important as trucks and bins in building a sustainable future for San Juan Island.
San Juan Transfer Station has an in-depth understanding of both the intersection of everyday life and the importance of long-term environmental stewardship. We see the patterns in what arrives: the rise in e-waste, the changing mix of packaging, the seasonal cycles of yard debris and holiday waste. By sharing what we see and what we know, we can help residents make more informed choices long before items reach our scales.
A key message we want to reinforce is the classic mantra: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. For many people, “recycle” comes to mind first, but the steps before it are even more powerful. Reducing means questioning what we bring into our homes in the first place. Do we need this item? Is there a version with less packaging or a longer lifespan? Reuse means finding ways to extend the life of products—from glass jars to furniture—through repair, creative repurposing, or passing them along to someone else.
Our outreach efforts can take many forms. Blog posts like this one, social media updates, and signage at the transfer station are basic tools. They give us a place to share practical tips, explain changes in recycling markets, and highlight common mistakes. We can publish seasonal guides—how to prepare for spring yard clean-up, how to handle holiday packaging, how to manage hazardous materials before winter—and keep those resources available year-round.
We can also support hands-on education. Partnering with local schools to introduce students to the journey of waste—where it goes, what’s recyclable, what isn’t—helps shape habits early. Field trips, classroom talks, or simple activity sheets can demystify the process and empower kids to become “recycling champions” at home.
Community events are another powerful avenue. Repair cafés, swap meets, and “free days” where neighbors exchange usable items reduce the volume of perfectly good material headed for disposal. Hosting or supporting such events encourages reuse and builds social connection at the same time. Transfer station staff can participate by offering guidance on what should be recycled, what should be disposed of more carefully, and how to plan for larger projects.
Of course, outreach is a conversation, not a lecture. We learn a great deal from the questions residents ask: “Why can’t this be recycled?” “Where should I bring this?” “Why did prices change?” These questions help us understand where information gaps exist and where our communication needs to improve. Encouraging feedback—through email, phone, or in-person chats—keeps us responsive and grounded.
Another area where education matters is myth-busting. Misconceptions about recycling and disposal are common. Some people assume everything with a recycling symbol is accepted; others believe recycling “all goes to the landfill anyway.” Addressing these myths honestly builds trust. We can explain which materials truly have strong markets, why contamination is a problem, and how specific programs like electronics recycling or metal recycling work in practice.
In all this, tone is important. We know that managing waste can feel overwhelming, and that people are juggling many responsibilities. Our goal is to offer clear, supportive guidance—not judgment. Small changes add up, and we want residents to feel encouraged by progress, not discouraged by perfectionism.
Ultimately, outreach and education are about building a culture. When “reduce, reuse, recycle” becomes part of how we talk, shop, and plan—as routine as checking the weather or ferry schedule—we create a community that naturally supports sustainable systems. San Juan Transfer Station is proud to be part of that effort, and we’re committed to providing the information and support our neighbors need to keep moving in the right direction.