Reduce clutter at home by participating at neighborhood cleanup events

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.

• Central Northeast Neighbors (CNN)

• East Portland Neighborhood Office (EPNO)

• Neighbors West/Northwest (NW/NW)

• North Portland Neighborhood Services (NPNS)

• Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN)

• Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Coalition (SEUL) 

• Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. (SWNI)

There’s a healthier way to clean this spring

With spring in the air it can only mean one thing – time to clean!

According to Metro, the average person in the U.S. uses 40.6 pounds of household cleaners each year.

Many of these products include ingredients that can be harmful to those we love and the environment around us. Choosing products that are less harmful are better for you and your family (and saves you money!).

Recipes for a greener clean

Metro has a wealth of information about reducing toxics, including simple cleaning tips and recipes for a safer home. There are many recipes available – and you may already have all of the ingredients you need at home – from window and wood cleaners to drain and oven cleaners.

Combinations of three key ingredients – baking soda, white vinegar and liquid soap – are the staples of natural, green cleaners. Reuse an existing container or spray bottle and label it so you know what type of homemade cleaner it contains.

Part of the cleaning ritual may be the smell of ‘clean’. Perhaps it reminds you of your family home or your grandma’s place. The smell is often the result of synthetic fragrances which can trigger asthma and may contain hormone-disrupting chemicals. By making your own cleaners, you can choose to add an essential oil to your mix for a customized and chemical-free clean smell. Metro’s recipes offer guidance for which oils and how much to use.

Take a look at the Washington Toxics Coalition Top 10 Tips for Safer Cleaning for more inspiration and tips. Get your house clean safely this spring by following these tips to make sure you use the best cleaning products for both you and the environment.

You can hire a green housekeeper, too

If you prefer someone else do the cleaning, check to see if these companies use safer, less toxic cleaners too. Resourceful PDX partner, Chinook Book, has many service-oriented businesses under Home and Garden. Coupons on your phone or in the book include offers for house cleaning services.