Spring cleaning season is here and neighborhoods all across Portland are organizing cleanup events to give residents a chance to reduce waste and unwanted clutter from their homes, basements or garages.
There are over 40 neighborhood cleanup events scheduled throughout Portland during the spring months – with 30 offering onsite reuse options to allow neighbors to take, swap or buy items immediately. Volunteers from neighborhood associations coordinate these events and have been offering more options for reuse and swapping at the events every year.
Reuse your stuff
Often we have stuff that is still perfectly usable, but we don’t need the items anymore. Last year, many community reuse organizations took part in these events and many are returning again this year. Some organizations will accept household goods, furniture, appliances and building materials, both new and used, so residents can drop off all of this stuff in one place.
Below are just a few upcoming neighborhood cleanup events that are incorporating reuse.
A combined event on Saturday, May 2, 2015 between Foster-Powell and Mt. Scott-Arleta neighborhoods includes a free area for reusable items, plus a partnership with a local bike shop for bikes and bike parts.
On Saturday, May 9, 2015 there is a combined cleanup in East Portland, led by Hazelwood Neighborhood Association, that also benefits the Centennial, Glenfair, Mill Park, Parkrose and Parkrose Heights communities. The event will have a free reuse area. Madison South Neighborhood Association will also host an event that day that includes a ‘you-price-it’ reusable area.
Local reuse organizations will be on hand at multiple cleanup events on Saturday, May 16, 2015 for clothing, shoes, household goods, outdoor items and building supplies.
North Portland neighborhoods St Johns and Cathedral Park are pairing up for a swap area for residents with remaining items going to The ReBuilding Center, Community Warehouse and Community Cycling Center.
Concordia Neighborhood Association will have a ‘you-price-it’ reusable area plus multiple organizations including: Trash for Peace to reuse plastics; Habitat Restore to reuse building materials; Community Warehouse to reuse household furnishings; Community Cycling Center to reuse bicycles; and Goodwill for clothes, shoes and books.
Find contact information for your neighborhood association
Contact the Office of Neighborhood Involvement or call 503-823-4519. Contact the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability at 503-823-7202 for possible cleanup dates, locations, costs and accepted materials.
The seven Neighborhood Coalitions are the best source of information about the scheduled cleanup events by neighborhood association.