ReClaim It! Has Saved Over 300,000 lbs. of Treasures from the Local “Dump” And Given Them New Life.
AOR's 2016 Alice Soderwall Reuse Award Winner just reached a remarkable landmark: through Cracked Pots' storefront ReClaim It! volunteers have rescued 300,000 pounds (or 150 tons) of materials from the local "dump" for creative reuse that were otherwise destined for the landfill. By weight, that's like saving 30 school buses, 5 baby blue whales, or 300,000 kittens!
This success has been in the making since 2014 when they opened the doors of their non-profit storefront ReClaim It!. Over 90% of the materials that fill the volunteer-run store have been gleaned directly from the waste stream at the Metro Transfer Station. Every week they unload a large truckload of salvaged items that they clean and fix for in-shop displays and use to create inspiring “upcycled” DIY items.
Located at 1 N. Killingsworth in Portland, ReClaim It! caters to local artists, neighbors, and the general public, inspiring creative reuse, repair, and reimagination. Antiques, furniture, wood by the foot, tile by the pound, metals, vintage items,
curiosities, artists materials … you never know what unique items will turn up for upcycling and reuse, as the inventory changes constantly! The store is open 10-5 Wed-Sun.
For further questions, media inquiries, interest in volunteering with ReClaim It!, please contact Kelly Caldwell at (503) 432 -7712 or volunteer@reclaimitpdx.org.