Waste Loop

03/22/2026

The City wants your input- please take a few minutes to take the survey below 👇 ♻️

♻️The Leavenworth Recycle Center is entering a new chapter ♻️

As our current partner, Waste Loop, prepares to step away from operations, the City has an opportunity to reevaluate how we handle glass, cardboard, single-stream, and yard waste recycling in Leavenworth.

To build a sustainable program that works for our community, we want to be transparent about our current operations:

• The two-day-a-week operations are provided to the community at no direct charge.
• Services and operations are funded by commercial fees. At this time, there is no dedicated residential fund to sustain or expand these operations long-term.

Your voice is the missing piece. What services do you value most? How should we fund the Recycling Center moving forward?

Take the 7-minute survey here:
📍 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LeavenworthRecycleCenter

Your feedback will help guide the City’s next steps. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!

09/28/2025

🌱 Big News for Eastside Rebuild! 🌱

Eastside Rebuild is thrilled to announce that we’ve been awarded a generous grant from AgWest Farm Credit’s Rural Community Grant Program to support our Farm Tool Library here in Cashmere, WA.

With this funding, we’ll be able to purchase vital shared equipment that will make a big difference for local farmers and growers. The Farm Tool Library lowers barriers for small farms by providing access to costly, specialized tools, helping strengthen our local food system, reduce waste, and build community resilience.

AgWest’s Rural Community Grants fund projects that improve rural communities across the Northwest and beyond, from supporting local food systems to investing in infrastructure that keeps small towns vibrant and sustainable. We are honored to be part of this effort.

💚 Thank you, AgWest, for believing in our mission and helping us grow!

09/28/2025

Join us for October's Repair Cafe!

Need something mended, fixed, or repaired? Our volunteer fixers will take a look at almost any item, and we will work together to find what's wrong. Work together with your fixer so that you can learn something as you go! We will look at clothing, bikes, small electronics, furniture, tools, and more. If you can get it in the store, we will give it a look! This is a free event with the goal of keeping as much as we can out of the land fill!

📍Eastside Rebuild 101 Railroad Ave Suite C Cashmere, WA
🕕 Wednesday October 1st from 6pm-8pm

See you there!

07/29/2025

A leaky faucet wastes water and money. Fix it yourself using basic tools and parts, many of which can be reused or sourced secondhand.

Supplies Needed:
-Adjustable wrench
-Replacement washers or O-rings (bring old ones to a local hardware store)
-Old towel or rag
-Bowl to catch water
-Screwdriver

Steps:
1. Turn off the water supply and plug the drain.
2. Disassemble faucet and remove the old washer or O-ring.
3. Take old parts to the store to match replacements.
4. Reassemble with the new parts and test for leaks.
5. Wipe up any mess with a reusable rag.

This material is funded through a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

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Arreglando un Grifo que Gotea

Un grifo que gotea desperdicia agua y dinero. Arréglelo usted mismo con herramientas y piezas básicas, muchas de las cuales se pueden reutilizar o conseguir de segunda mano.

Materiales Necesarios:
-Llave inglesa ajustable
-Arandelas o juntas tóricas de repuesto (lleve las viejas a una ferretería local)
-Toalla o trapo viejo
-Recipiente para recoger el agua
-Destornillador

Pasos:
1. Cierre el suministro de agua y tape el desagüe.

2. Desmonte el grifo y retire la arandela o junta tórica vieja.

3. Lleve las piezas viejas a la tienda para encontrar repuestos.

4. Vuelva a ensamblar con las piezas nuevas y compruebe si hay fugas.

5. Limpie cualquier suciedad con un trapo reutilizable.

Este material está financiado por una Subvención de Participación Pública del Departamento de Ecología del Estado de Washington.

07/25/2025

Instead of replacing tools with worn-out handles, refresh them using these simple materials:

Option 1: Old Bike Tubes
1. Cut an old bike tube in half to get a flat piece of rubber.
2. Wrap bike tube over itself until you cover the desired length of your handle, pulling taught with each wrap
3. Tuck end into final wrap, and cut off excess OR secure with electrical tape if needed.

Option 2: Heat-Shrink Tubing
1. Cut a piece of heat-shrink tubing to size.
2. Slide it over the tool handle.
3. Use a heat gun or hair dryer to shrink it tightly in place.

This material is funded through a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

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Cómo volver a sujetar herramientas y mangos viejos \

En lugar de reemplazar herramientas con mangos desgastados, renuévalas con estos materiales sencillos:

Opción 1: Cámaras de bicicleta viejas
1. Corta una cámara de bicicleta vieja por la mitad para obtener un trozo plano de goma.
2. Envuelve la cámara de bicicleta sobre sí misma hasta cubrir la longitud deseada del mango, tirando con fuerza con cada vuelta.
3. Mete el extremo en la envoltura final y corta el exceso O asegúralo con cinta aislante si es necesario.

Opción 2: Tubo termorretráctil
1. Corta un trozo de tubo termorretráctil a la medida.
2. Deslízalo sobre el mango de la herramienta.
3. Usa una pi***la de calor o un secador de pelo para encogerlo firmemente en su lugar.

Este material está financiado a través de una Beca de Participación Pública del Departamento de Ecología del Estado de Washington.

07/22/2025

Sharpening Basics for Tools & Knives

Keeping your tools and knives sharp helps them last longer and work more efficiently. You don’t need fancy equipment—just sandpaper or a whetstone!

For sharpening with sandpaper:
1. Secure a piece of fine-grit sandpaper (400-600 grit) to a flat surface.
2. Hold the tool at a 20-degree angle and slide it across the sandpaper.
3. Start by making 10 strokes on each side of the blade, then reduce the number of strokes to 6, 3, and finally 1 per side. This gradual decrease in strokes helps to shape, refine, and polish the edge for optimal sharpness
4. Move up in sandpaper grit to get a sharper finish

For sharpening with a whetstone:
1. Soak the whetstone in water for 10-15 minutes.
2. Start with the rougher side of the whetstone, and hold the blade at a 20-degree angle and slide it across the stone in a smooth motion.
3. Start by making 10 strokes on each side of the blade, then reduce the number of strokes to 6, 3, and finally 1 per side.
4. If there is a finer side of the whetstone, repeat previous steps for a sharper finish.

This material is funded through a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

07/17/2025

A broken handle doesn’t mean the tool is useless. Replacing the handle, especially with a salvaged or secondhand one, extends the tool’s life and keeps waste out of the landfill.

Supplies Needed:
-Salvaged or replacement tool handle (check local reuse centers!)
-Wood glue or epoxy
-Mallet
-Sandpaper
-Screws or nails (optional)
-Thin wood wedge (can be made from scrap wood)

Steps:
1. Remove the old handle by loosening screws or tapping it out with a mallet.
2. Clean and sand the inside of the tool head and the new handle end.
3. Apply epoxy or wood glue to the handle.
4. Insert the handle and tap it in. If the fit is loose, use a small wood wedge to ensure a snug connection.
5. Let dry fully before use. Add screws or nails if needed for extra hold.
6. Sand off any rough edges—and it’s ready for action!

This material is funded through a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

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Reemplazo de Mangos de Herramientas Rotos

Un mango roto no significa que la herramienta sea inservible. Reemplazarlo, especialmente por uno recuperado o de segunda mano, prolonga su vida útil y evita que los residuos terminen en el vertedero.

Materiales Necesarios:
-Mango de herramienta recuperado o de repuesto (¡consulta en centros de reutilización locales!)
-Cola para madera o resina epoxi
-Mazo
-Papel de lija
-Tornillos o clavos (opcional)
-Cuña de madera fina (puede hacerse con madera de desecho)

Pasos:
1. Retira el mango viejo aflojando los tornillos o golpeándolo con un mazo.

2. Limpia y lija el interior de la cabeza de la herramienta y el extremo del mango nuevo.

3. Aplica resina epoxi o cola para madera al mango.

4. Inserta el mango y golpéalo suavemente. Si queda suelto, usa una cuña de madera pequeña para asegurar una conexión firme.

5. Deja secar completamente antes de usar. Añade tornillos o clavos si es necesario para una mayor sujeción.

6. Lija las asperezas y ¡listo para usar!

Este material está financiado mediante una Subvención de Participación Pública del Departamento de Ecología del Estado de Washington.

07/14/2025

Repair & Share Highlight! 🔧♻️

Did you know that there are many local businesses and organizations that offer repair and share services in our community? Today we are highlighting the Habitat for Humanity Store.

The Habitat Store is more than a place to shop for affordable materials—they also encourage repair and reuse in building projects! They offer quality reclaimed building materials that help reduce waste and support sustainable construction practices. By choosing to repair or repurpose materials from their store, you’re contributing to environmental preservation and helping families in need.

We believe strongly that both the community and the environment benefit through the sharing of resources and the repairing of what we already have. Check out the growing circular economy repair/share network in the Wenatchee Valley by visiting Waste Loop's Repair and Share online directory, and if you know of other resources not currently included, please let us know!

This material is funded through a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology. Ecology reviewed the content for grant consistency but does not necessarily endorse it.

07/10/2025

Reclaimed wood is a great sustainable resource, but nails must be removed safely!

Potential tools needed:
- Prybar
- catspaw
- 1-2 hammers

1. Use a pry bar to carefully lift nails from the wood.
2. For stubborn nails, use a cat’s paw (a type of pry bar) to lift the head of the nail out of the wood. Use either side to ensure the proper leverage angle.
3. Alternatively, you can use two hammers: position the claw of one hammer under the nail head and tap the other hammer’s head onto the first hammer to pry out the nail.
4. Sand the wood to remove splinters and prep it for reuse.
5. Get creative—use reclaimed wood for shelves, furniture, or small repairs!

This material is funded through a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

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Madera recuperada y reutilizada

La madera recuperada es un gran recurso sostenible, ¡pero los clavos se deben quitar de forma segura!

Posibles herramientas necesarias:
- Palanca
- pata de gato
- 1-2 ma****los

1. Use una palanca para levantar con cuidado los clavos de la madera.
2. Para clavos difíciles, use una pata de gato (un tipo de palanca) para levantar la cabeza del clavo de la madera. Use cualquier lado para asegurar el ángulo de palanca adecuado.
3. Como alternativa, puede usar dos ma****los: coloque la uña de un ma****lo debajo de la cabeza del clavo y golpee la cabeza del otro ma****lo sobre el primer ma****lo para sacar el clavo.
4. Lije la madera para quitar astillas y prepárela para su reutilización.
5. ¡Sea creativo: use madera recuperada para estantes, muebles o pequeñas reparaciones!

Este material está financiado a través de una Beca de Participación Pública del Departamento de Ecología del Estado de Washington.

07/05/2025

Instead of throwing out stiff paintbrushes, you can restore them with vinegar and hot water!

Here’s how:

1. Heat a pot of vinegar until warm but not boiling.

2. Submerge the stiff bristles and let them soak for 30 minutes.

3. If needed, use a comb or an old toothbrush to separate the bristles.

4. Rinse with warm water and let dry. Bonus tip: To keep brushes wet between uses, store them in a sealed plastic bag in the fridge!

This material is funded through a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

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Revive tus brochas viejas

En lugar de tirar brochas endurecidas, ¡puedes restaurarlas con vinagre y agua caliente!

Aquí te explicamos cómo:

1. Calienta una olla con vinagre hasta que esté tibio (sin hervir).

2. Sumerge las cerdas endurecidas y deja en remojo durante 30 minutos.

3. Si es necesario, usa un peine o un cepillo de dientes viejo para separar las cerdas.

4. Enjuaga con agua tibia y deja secar. Consejo extra: Para mantener las brochas húmedas entre usos, guárdalas en una bolsa plástica sellada en el refrigerador.

Este material está financiado a través de una Subvención de Participación Pública del Departamento de Ecología del Estado de Washington.