Transition San Juan Island’s Waste Reduction group shares today’s habit shift inspiration from the global Plastic Free July campaign.

Buy Less

Before making a purchase, stop and think — is there a better alternative? Do I need this or am I just in the habit of buying it? And do I need this much?

Considering the packaging of the item is a good place to start to ‘buy less’. Thinking about potential alternatives can include choosing the item with the least amount of packaging, switching from plastic to paper packaging, or even choosing loose products with no packaging at the grocers or a bulk food store.

Follow the five Rs: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, recycle.

2022 Youth Conservation Corps members at Vic’s — Contributed photo

Katie Fleming, Solid Waste Coordinator for San Juan County, shares a single-use serviceware law reminder for businesses.

Did you know the San Juan County Council proclaimed July as plastic free? The proclamation recognized the pressing issues around plastic waste, including the fact that plastics are the most prevalent type of marine debris found in our oceans, as well as found daily on San Juan County’s shores, with devastating effects on marine life and human health.

Plastic Free July is a global movement helping millions of people be part of the solution by providing resources and ideas to help us all reduce single-use plastic waste. It’s a great time to make sure we’re all doing our part. In appreciation of this effort, I would like to remind our local businesses about the Washington State Single-use Serviceware Law (RCW 70A.245.080) that went into effect January 1, 2022. Under this law, businesses can no longer automatically include single-use food service items with food orders.

Single-use food serviceware items covered by the new requirements include:

• Utensils (knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks)
• Straws, cocktail picks, splash sticks, and stirrers
• Condiment packets, sachets, or sauce cups
• Cold cup lids except those provided at drive-through windows (hot cup lids are allowed)

To receive a single-use food serviceware item, customers must request it, confirm their choice when asked, or select the item they want from a self-serve station. Customers are also encouraged to bring their own durable, reusable food containers, utensils, and straws to help reduce single-use waste.

I recently spent some time delivering information about this law to businesses in Friday Harbor with a group of students from the San Juan Islands Youth Conservation Corp. We were so happy to see many of our restaurants following the requirements perfectly. From Vic’s Drive-in no longer using plastic tops for milkshakes and only providing straws on request, to a self-serve tray for single-use items at Haley’s, it was great to see our businesses actively reducing their plastic use.

Nearly one trillion single-use food service products are disposed or littered each year in the United States, according to a 2021 Upstream report. Single-use food serviceware items are also a major contaminant in Washington’s recycling system that decreases the value of recycled materials. Reducing their use will protect the Salish Sea, help the recycling system run more efficiently, and contribute to our existing ethic of waste reduction and reuse in San Juan County.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me ([email protected] or 360-762-5821) with any questions. You can also visit the State of Washington’s single-use serviceware website for information, tools, resources, and detailed compliance requirement. For more tips on how to reduce your plastic use, visit the Plastic Free Salish Sea website.

The County sends along news about their fairgrounds solar project.

San Juan County is proud to announce the completion of its first solar project. The public is invited to join County officials and community members in a celebration event on Friday, July 22 at noon at the fairgrounds. Attendees will learn about the solar project as well as other exciting infrastructure projects happening at the fairgrounds over the next year.

Two 105 x 41-foot multi-grid solar systems are now soaking up the sun atop the San Juan County Fairgrounds Main Exhibitors Building. Over their estimated 30-year lifespan, these panels are projected to produce over 4.5 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy and save the county over $700,000 in utility costs.  

In the first year, the panels will generate more than double the annual usage of the fairground’s facilities – roughly 158,000 kWh. This energy savings is roughly equivalent to offsetting CO2 emissions from 13 homes or charging 8,314,263 smartphones, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.  

This project showcases the County’s long-term investment in renewable energy. After conducting a solar assessment in 2019, the County began dedicating funds for solar projects and the panels at the fairgrounds, which cost about $310,000.

“This stewardship of public funds indicates the Council’s investment in green energy,” said councilwoman Christine Minney, District 1. “I’m excited to see this project lead the way for future renewable energy work.”  

San Juan County is proud to support local business and strengthen local partnerships when working towards green energy goals.  

“This is a great example of a successful public-private partnership,” said San Juan County Facilities Director Greg Sawyer. “The County, school district, and OPALCO all worked together to make this project possible.”

• Island Stage Left hopes to open their production of The Comedy of Errors this Thursday following COVID-related cancellations last week. The audience will be divided between masked and unmasked sections.
• Warbass Way will have limited traffic flow again this week as OPALCO crews string power lines on the new utility poles that were installed earlier this month.
• The San Juan County Council shared an update about their recent meeting held on Waldron Island. It was the first meeting outside the Council chambers in Friday Harbor since the pandemic started.
• Native Zest is hosting a class on bitters at Salty at Heart Island Apothecary on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $60, seating is limited, and participants must be 21 years of age or older.
• Driftless Cookies is hosting a cookie decoration class at Madrone Cellars & Cider on Friday from 3 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $70.
• Tickets are now available for the Lakedale Music Festival, held Aug. 27 and 28 at Lakedale Resort.

Have something to share with the Island? Whether the news is big or small, let us know!

Transition San Juan Island’s Waste Reduction group shares today’s habit shift inspiration from the global Plastic Free July campaign.

What’s Your Waste?

There’s a lot of useful information that can come from taking a hard look at what you’re throwing away on a daily or weekly basis. Start by taking note of the low-hanging fruit — things that you can change quickly and still make a big impact. Focus on those one or two items and figure out how you can improve. It might be choosing to eliminate a certain item altogether, or switching to a plastic-free or reusable alternative. 

The organizers of the Summer Film Series at San Juan Community Theatre send along a preview of this week’s film. The showing starts at 7 p.m. Admission is pay-what-you-can. For this season only, fresh popcorn is available for free.

Tel Aviv on Fire

Dramatic comedy, not rated
Run time: 1 hour, 40 minutes

Hidden within this almost farcical comedy is the story of one Palestinian trying to exist in two separate but overlapping worlds. Rumpled, easygoing Salam lives in Jerusalem and must pass through the barrier twice daily on the way to his new job in Ramallah as a production assistant on a television soap opera Tel Aviv on Fire. Written primarily for Palestinians, it captures the attention of an Israeli Defense Force officer whose wife is a fan. The connection is made, as so often in films from Israel and the Palestinian territories, at a military checkpoint.

Salam doesn’t have any experience in TV production, but he is fluent in Hebrew, so he’s occasionally consulted on dialogue. Based on this minor task, he identifies himself as the show’s writer when he’s interrogated by Assi, the commander of the checkpoint. It turns out that Assi, has a few ideas for Tel Aviv on Fire — and is determined to see them adopted. Unlikely circumstances get Salam promoted to the show’s writing staff where, to curry the commanders favor, he attempts to insert some of Assi’s ideas into the scripts. What ensues is a soap opera itself with many twists and turns.

The San Juan County Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 19 at 9 a.m. The meeting includes a public hearing to adopt an ordinance regarding surplus animals, amending SJCC 2.104.060. Items up for discussion or action include:

• Economic Development Council annual report
• Resolution for Road Levy increase ballot measure — action on Aug. 2
• Approve allocation of 2022 REET II funds towards improvement of Parks & Fair Department facilities
• Docket briefing — public hearing scheduled for Aug. 2
• Approve Housing Advisory Committee funding recommendations for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program for the San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez Family Resource Centers
• Approve historic courthouse grant application
• Approve social media policy
• Council review process for historic preservation grant applications
• Approve grant application to the Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA) for the Higgins Property on Lopez Island
• Glenwood Springs acquisition

You can view the live stream of the meeting online or attend in person at the Council Legislative Hearing Room. To make a public comment, sign up prior to 9 a.m. on July 19.

Transition San Juan Island’s Waste Reduction group shares today’s habit shift inspiration from the global Plastic Free July campaign.

Plastic Free Dental Care

A large amount of plastic waste entering into our natural surroundings and waterways are from dental care products: floss containers, floss, floss sticks and plastic toothbrushes. Here they will stay forever and are often mistakenly consumed by marine life causing great damage.

Choose to say “thanks, but no thanks” to the dental swag bags from the dentist. Switch to toothbrushes made from sustainable, compostable materials such as bamboo, which can be composted in backyard or industrial composting systems. Purchase a toothbrush with a replaceable head — there are bamboo options now — and eliminate the need to continually purchase a new plastic brush every few months. Finally, switch to natural, refillable dental lace sold in glass canisters instead of plastic.

Transition San Juan Island’s Waste Reduction group shares today’s habit shift inspiration from the global Plastic Free July campaign.

Bathroom Audit

Plastic bottles and containers hide in all corners of the bathroom and they are also some of the easiest to eliminate. There are many simple solutions for the bathroom that will not only reduce plastic waste and have a positive impact for the environment, but can also have a positive impact on your budget. Take a look around to see which plastic items you can replace with package-free options:

• Shampoo, face, and shaving products in bar form can be found at San Juan Island Food Co-op or Salty at Heart Island Apothecary
• Bring your empty container and refill shampoo, conditioner, and hair products at Salt & Sand Salon, the co-op, or Salty at Heart
• Switch to reusable razors and razor blades
• Switch to 100% recycled toilet paper
• Find plastic-free period products at the co-op and Salty at Heart

Here’s the adoptable animal of the week from the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor — Sable, a 45-pound pharaoh hound mix.

Sable is not just your everyday dog; she’s kind of like your “girl next door” type, but in the body of an athletic supermodel — a complete package. This ‘Sporty Spice’ may be slender, but she packs some power in those extra-long legs and tail. You might want to recruit her for your neighborhood basketball team with hops like hers, or maybe ask her to join you in your next marathon with her endurance.

Sable would be happy to play all day outside, watch the sunset, hit up a beach bonfire, then head home to wind down on the couch with a bone. She might sleep in a little late, but she’s always down to brunch with the girls and hit the frisbee golf course after. Sable is a smart, young lady who is eager to be top of the class. A little praise goes a long way with this natural people pleasing gal. If you’re ready to hit the track (or the trails), looking for companionship, and like to have a bit of arm candy on your side, then come on down to the shelter and rescue Sable. She’s ready to go.

Learn more about Sable here.

Wendy Waxman Kern — Contributed photo

The Mullis Center Book Club has a new coordinator. Now that Beth Helstien has retired from the San Juan Island Library (thank you Beth!), Wendy Waxman Kern, the library’s new Outreach and Technology Coordinator, will be facilitating the Mullis Center Book Club.

Wendy previously served as San Juan County’s 4-H Program Coordinator and has a rich background in community service. She has a deep love of books and language and formerly lived in Germany for 13 years. Wendy enjoys spending time with her family, which, she says, also includes reading.

The book club has voted and we now have a new list of books selected for the months of August through December. The club meets via Zoom on the second Monday of each month at 1:15 p.m. All are welcome. To participate, email Wendy at [email protected] for the Zoom meeting invitation. Continue Reading

• Here’s the extensive lineup for today’s farmers market.
• The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor shares a series of heartwarming photos of shelter animals heading home with their new adoptive families.
• Join Alchemy Art Center any time between 1 and 3 p.m. today at the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park and help create a ceramic fish mural. The event is free and all ages are welcome.
• Alchemy is also hosting a screenprinting workshop on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at their studio on Wold Road. It costs $75 and you can register online.
• Ian McFeron will be performing a free show at Fairweather Park at the Port of Friday Harbor from 2 to 4 p.m. this afternoon.
• Orcas Island’s Madison West will be performing in the wine garden at Everelse from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight.
• Madrone Cellars & Cider is hosting a pop-up with Leaven Bakery on Sunday starting at 1 p.m. until they’re sold out. Musical guests Argyle St. Jazz Band will be performing from 1 to 3 p.m.

Have something to share with the Island? Whether the news is big or small, let us know!

Learn more about Brad’s perspective on the foxes of San Juan Island.