On The Road: Reuse "Oregonizations"

Submitted by AOR
11 Mar 2016

On Wednesday, March 9th, about 30 people gathered to tour various reuse organizations around Portland. Education Committee and AOR Member Adam Gorske attended, and has provided a summary of the day's activities. 

Reuse Oregonizations

Living in Oregon we are fortunate to have a variety of ways to responsibly rid ourselves of our unwanted items. Thanks to some clever individuals the items we once cherished can continue to be loved; or at least find a better home than the landfill.

March’s AOR On the Road focused on a small, but fascinating batch of reuse organizations in Portland. If you weren’t able to make the tour, below you will find a recap:

First Stop: Free Geek (1731 SE 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214)

You may have a computer or other electronic device taking up space.  It’s bad feng shui to let clutter compile in the home or workspace, so check out Free Geek's website  to see what you can take in to them. While you’re there you can also visit their thrift store to find an assortment of reused goodies they have repaired and are ready to resell. Keep the loop closed!

Reuse Highlights:

  • Reused
    • 2,000 LCD Monitors
    • 60 LCD TVs
    • 2,100 Laptops
    • 1,500 Desktops

Second Stop: SCRAP (1736 SW Alder Street, Portland, OR 97205)

So maybe you’re a Luddite and don’t have or want a computer. Maybe you were a little overzealous with getting into some sort of arts and craft project and have way too many supplies. Or maybe you need to pick up some supplies to get into an arts and craft project. If you fall into any of these categories SCRAP PDX may be your new favorite stomping ground. SCRAP takes in donations and offers them to the public for a fraction of their original cost. If you’re an artist, maker, crafter or interested in getting into a new project, check out their store for inspiration.

Reuse Highlights:

  • Diverted 150 tons of usable materials from the landfills in 2015

Third Stop: Ecotrust (721 NW 9th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209)

Ecotrust is housed in the Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center in northwest Portland. This building has played a role in Portland for over 120 years and is currently where Ecotrust makes the magic happen. They were founded in 1991 to help preserve the threatened coastal temperate rain forest of the Pacific coast. Their good work  has continued through today with their focus on the vital systems of: food, farms, forests, oceans, fisheries, water, built environment, climate and energy. If you’re in the area the rooftop is open to the public during business hours as a peaceful safe haven for urban dwellers.

Reuse Highlights:

  • Avoided demolition of a 160,000 square foot building
  • Reused 100 year old Douglas-fir posts and beams
  • Approximately 98% of the deconstructed material was reused or recycled
  • Solar on the roof supplies 10% of the buildings energy
  • Diverts at least 95% of the sites stormwater from the city’s sewer system 

Fourth Stop: Patagonia (907 NW Irving Street, Portland, OR 97209)

Housed in the same building as Ecotrust, is Patagonia. You probably know Patagonia as a high-end outdoor fitter. What you may not know is they are pioneering reuse and recycling in the garment industry. In their Portland store they have a section for Worn Wear which contains articles of clothing that have been returned, washed, repaired and brought back onto the floor in good, working condition.

Reuse Highlights:

  • Goes through a rack of Worn Wear per week 

Fifth and Final Stop: Southeast Portland Tool Library (1137 SE 20th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214)

In the basement of Hinson Baptist Church is where you will find your vices; the tool variety of course.  Southeast Portland Tool Library is the place to go if you don’t own any tools and have a project that requires them. They have a selection that could help with anything from gardening to wood working to bicycle and car maintenance.

Reuse Highlights:

  • Lends out about 10,000 tools per year

Thanks to AOR Education Chair Pam Peck, and all of the Education Committee for pulling together such a great event!

The next AOR On the Road Tour will take place on August 9th. We'll head down to the Willamette Valley for a tour of Stahlbush Farms and PRC. Registration for this event will open in July, 2016.

Tags: 
AOR News