Rewarding Encounter at the Z-wall

This past winter, I was working my docent shift at the Z-wall where recycling begins at Orcas Recycling Services (ORS). I noticed a woman “browsing” near the various bins of “freecycle” materials – aluminum beverage cans, corrugated cardboard, steel cans, and glass. I offered to help the woman, Chris Kernan, and that began a conversation that made both of us feel good.

Kernan’s daughter, Lara, had taken a job with the Orcas Island School District last fall as the Director of Human Resources, and Kernan was making a visit from Dayton, OH to spend some time with her. Before she flew west, she did some research to learn what there was to see and do while visiting Orcas Island.  

Kernan has been recycling since the “hippie days” of the 1970s, and was intrigued  to learn more about how we recycle on Orcas Island. She was really impressed by what she found in her initial research, and decided to see it for herself. Chris compared our recycling program and efforts with what she saw in Dayton and felt we were doing things “right”. Dayton is much larger than Orcas with over 130,000 residents, and naturally recycles on a much larger scale. 

“What Orcas does have is a chance for customers to do hands-on recycling, interact with other recyclers, and provide education for people of all ages,” says Kernan.  

She saw great opportunities for school children to tour the ORS operation to learn the value and process of recycling at a young age.

Kernan will be back to visit in the future and has been invited to sign-up for one of our tours so she can see the entire operation including Big Blue (the glass crusher), in action, and what we have to offer in The Exchange. 

We will look forward to your visit next time, Chris. Best wishes and keep on recycling!