Not-so-scary solutions for old electronics

Monster in Your Closet?  You’re in Good Company. 

After all this time at home, are you feeling a little cramped? Feeling like there’s too much stuff and not enough space? 

If your excess stuff includes electronics that you no longer use, you’re in good company.   

Over two-thirds of households in Oregon report that they have old, unused electronics taking up space in their home. And many share the concern that they want to dispose of them safely, to keep our state free from the hazardous materials they may contain such as lead and mercury that can harm people and wildlife. 

It’s free and easy to recycle your old electronics 

In Oregon, you can safely recycle old electronics through a no-cost statewide program known as Oregon E-Cycles. The program accepts: 

• Desktop computers 

• Laptops 

• Printers 

• TVs/Monitors 

• Tablets 

• Keyboards 

• Mice 

There are over 200 drop-off sites around Oregon and finding your nearest location is as simple as calling 888-532-9253 or visiting EcycleOregon.org. 

All these drop-off sites are members of the Oregon E-Cycles program which requires that they follow the program’s strict Environmental Management standards that protect our health, environment and open spaces by properly disposing of the equipment they receive and ensuring that harmful materials like lead and mercury are kept out of our air, soil, and water. 

After using the e-Cycles program, “I realized it was very easy. You just pull up, tell them that you want to recycle some electronic goods. They bring out a little wheeler basket, you just put your stuff in there …  and then you’re on your way,” one Oregon resident said. 

Worried about protecting your private information before recycling?  

Find out how to erase data from your computer before recycling it at the Oregon E-Cycles locations, or at these quick guides for PCs and Macs.  

To learn more, visit EcycleOregon.org or call 888-532-9253. 

#MonsterInYourCloset #OREcycles 

Refill and Save at Mama & Hapa’s Zero Waste Shop

Mama & Hapa’s Zero Waste Shop opened in Southeast Portland in May 2021. Since then, word of mouth has fueled the refill shop, with more Portlanders learning about it every day. A second location is already in the works for North Mississippi Avenue, with plans to open in December.  

Mama & Hapa’s joins other refill stores and pop-up shops around Portland, meeting a demand from consumers who want less packaging waste in their lives. Most packaging, especially plastic, cannot be recycled. And even when there are recycling options, single-use items use more energy and resources than reusable items that can be used over and over again. 

At Mama & Hapa’s Zero Waste Shop, reuse takes center stage, with household and body care products available in reusable and refillable containers.  

Ross Ching, co-owner with his wife, Nadia Takla, said he would like “less emphasis on recycling” and more focus on reuse. This extends to how they’ve built their shop: Their tables, dishwasher, and many other shop items were purchased second-hand.  

They also purchase local products: The store’s body care products come from manufacturers in Portland and around Oregon, while other items in the store come from Washington. Ross would like to make zero waste shopping convenient enough for the average person to change their habits. 

“Going zero waste isn’t going to save the world, but what it really does is change the way people think about the life of an inanimate object. How much energy is put into making something, transporting it, and disposing of it. Those are the kinds of things that need to be at the top of consumers’ minds when they shop because what is bought is a vote for wanting more of it — gasoline or batteries, paper or plastic, compost or trash.” 

The shop’s name represents its owners: Nadia is the Mama, and Ross is Hapa, a Hawaiian term that reflects Ross’s Chinese and white heritage. Ross embraced the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) small business ethic; he used online research and tutorials to learn to code, and designed the refillable electronic dispenser system himself, with inspiration from a fill-your-own brewery in Southern California. 

Ross highlighted three aspects of Mama & Hapa’s that make it stand out: 

1. Offer free jars 

The shop provides customers with reusable and refillable glass jars at no charge. You can also bring in your own clean containers, or donate excess jars from home. Jars are washed onsite in the dishwasher.

2. No weighing necessary 

The store’s electronic system measures the amount of product you’ve dispensed by volume rather than weight. This eliminates the need to weigh your jars, makes it easier and faster to fill containers, and even shows the price of the amount dispensed as you go. 

3. Keep it affordable 

Prices are kept as low as possible by purchasing products in 55-gallon barrels, which are approximately 500 pounds each. Buying in bulk allows the store to sell at lower prices and offer a “store brand”. 

Ready to get started? Check out the website for a full product list.

Get back to school safely

This year back to school means back to in-person learning. That means back to school buildings, a commute to get there, and a chance for a new routine.

We’re sharing information from Safe Routes to School, another City of Portland program, working to support students and families to travel safely to school. Here are some tips to plan your trip to school:

• Skip the driving and decrease congestion by walking or biking to school.

• Drive to a nearby location to park and walk the rest of the way. Parking a couple of blocks from school allows you and your family to get a short walk in and reduces traffic around campus.

• Ride TriMet to school.

The City and Metro created a campaign called “School Routes are Everywhere. Drive Like It,” reminding drivers that students are still biking, walking and playing in our neighborhoods as well as traveling to and from schools for in-person learning, school lunches and materials. This campaign is available online, and in five languages in addition to English: Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese. 

Attention drivers

Whether you have school-aged children or not, we are all responsible for ensuring student safety as road users. Here are some tips for drivers as you travel around schools this fall: 

• Leave early and drive slowly. Watch for families and kids walking, biking, and rolling.

• Stop for school buses when they are loading and unloading and don't go around them. It’s the law.

• Follow the speed limit, pay attention to the flashing beacons and signage at schools, and look out for school crossings. Remember that in Oregon every corner is a crosswalk. 

Other resources

Portland Public Schools Back to School 2021 family guide.

Resourceful PDX back to school resources from previous kids in school posts. 

Find free stuff around town

It’s been quite a year. Many of us found ways to offer our time and resources to help each other. And with in-person gatherings making a comeback this summer, there are more opportunities to make community connections.  

Mutual aid societies and online groups have prospered in Portland, offering free food, clothing, and other items to community members affected by various setbacks – from unemployment and disability to a health crisis or senior needs. These resources are available to those who need them, be it every day, once a week or once a month. 

In addition to pop-ups at parks or in parking lots, you can find free or low-cost options at the Resourceful PDX map and event calendar. However, since events and locations can change, it’s always best to double-check the organizing group’s social media accounts to confirm before heading out.  

Take what you need, leave what you don't, give what you can 

PDX Free Fridge lists free food in fridges and pantries across Portland. It is a community based and informed mutual aid effort to increase access to free food and vital supplies. Their mission is to redistribute existing resources by providing access to free food and supplies through community fridges and pantries. They offer community guidelines, FAQ’s, a guide to start your own efforts, and a map to download. 

The Really Really Free Market is a park pop-up where you can bring items you don’t need or want, and you can take what catches your eye.  

Places like the Paying it Forward Store offer free clothing on an ongoing basis. There are even plant and seed swaps for those interested in bringing nature to their gardens or homes.    

Give through organized efforts (Don’t leave things on the curb) 

If you’ve walked by a rain-soaked couch or a pile of mismatched shoes and old DVDs spilling into the street, you’ve seen how “free piles” can turn into litter. 

Instead, offer free items on Nextdoor, Buy Nothing Group, Freecycle or Craigslist where people are looking for items and will come to you to pick them up. Nextdoor and Buy Nothing Group allow you to share posts just with people living in your neighborhood, acting as a virtual yard sale and helping you get to know others who live nearby. You might even make some new friends, or find a baby sitter or someone to water your plants when you’re out of town! 

Activities abound for Earth Day

With Earth Day right around the corner on April 22, there are both virtual and in-person activities happening. From how-to workshops to plant sales and litter cleanups, find something that supports local organizations and celebrates the environment.

Fix-It Fair online workshops are wrapping up in April. This week includes financial and physical wellness, plus DIY opportunities like how to fix a flat bike tire and how to clean your home using natural products you may already have. You can also visit past workshops on the YouTube Channel anytime.

Local reuse stores are having membership drives and seeking your donated goods.

The ReBuilding Center is looking for Salvage Supporter members, plus your donations, which they will pick up for free. 

All Portland area Habitat ReStores are seeking your donations. Find the list and schedule a pickup online.   

Have you been missing events? ReClaim It is hosting events at their store, including in-person workshops, specials, and plant sales. They are also having an Earth Day fundraiser. Check out the full list of activities.  

Many other local organizations are hosting events and offering ways to help the broader community. Street Roots profiled various opportunities, including litter cleanup events with SOLVE. Those interested in cleaning up your neighborhood have an array of options this week and beyond.

Looking for more inspiration? Last year’s Virtual Earth Week, organized by Southeast Uplift, is available online.

Ready for a spring cleaning refresh? Here’s where to donate and buy new-to-you

Spring has sprung, and with it, spring cleaning arrives too. We’ve all spent more time at home - inside and out - and may be ready to part with unwanted items. If what you’re getting rid of is in good condition, don’t toss it, donate it! 

To donate thoughtfully and get usable goods into the hands of those who need them, look no further than your neighborhood reuse store. Portland has many nonprofit-run shops that accept donations and give you the chance to shop, both of which benefit the organization, the community, and the environment. 

Many nonprofit-run thrift stores now offer online stores, making it easier than ever to browse and shop used goods. In-person shopping is also available at some organizations, as is curbside pick-up. Go the organization’s website to find the most up-to-date information on what items they accept and what their shopping and pick-up options are.  

• Community Warehouse accepts donations of furniture, mattresses, small appliances and offers Estate Store discoveries through their Instagram.

• Free Geek accepts donations of technology and has an online store.  

• Habitat ReStore accepts donations of building materials, home goods and has an online store.  

• ReBuilding Center accepts donations of building materials, home goods and has an online store.  

• ReClaim It accepts donations of furniture, home goods, yard and garden items and has an online store.

• SCRAP Creative Reuse accepts donations of craft, art and school supplies and has an online store.  

Dig into spring cleaning your house, apartment, garbage, or closet, and separate the usable stuff from what you no longer need or want. There are others out there waiting for it! 

Take a look at the Resourceful PDX map to find organizations that help you reuse, swap, repair and share items like tools, building or art supplies, household goods or other materials rather than throwing them away or buying new. 

Help advance the repair movement in Oregon

The Right-to-Repair movement is growing, with 14 states exploring right to repair legislation, including Oregon.  Oregon House Bill 2698 is one of many bills making its way through the state legislature in the 2021 session. Here’s a summary of the bill language:

Requires original equipment manufacturer to make available to owner of originated equipment or independent repair provider on fair and reasonable terms any part, tool, documentation or other device or implement that original equipment manufacturer makes available to authorized repair provider for purpose of diagnosing, maintaining or repairing originated equipment. 

If approved into law, the bill would require that large companies must release tools, parts, and manuals so consumers and repair businesses can fix and maintain what you already own. Extending the life of devices saves you money and keeps repairable items out of the landfill. 

Learn more and advocate for the bill.  

The national Repair Association supports this legislation and continues to offer consumers and businesses repair information. A new online feature includes a Where to Repair search tool. Other local repair resources include Portland Repair Finder and FiX iT Lane County.  

Repair PDX is offering virtual workshops, including how to hem your pants, as part of the virtual Fix-It Fair. Other repair partners, like Global Virtual Fixit Clinics, offer options to be a coach, get something fixed, or just come for the experience. You can jump from room to room to see how different fixes are going. 

Check out a previous blog post about repair businesses as essential services and options to fix at home.  

Learn something new with at-home workshops

Combining the winter season and time indoors, many Portland organizations are offering ways to stay connected by hosting online workshops. There are classes for just about anything; from plant care and cooking to virtual repair and home maintenance.

Here are a variety of at-home offerings for you to make online learning a goal for the year ahead.

Attend Fix-It Fair 24/7 

Fix-It Fairs connect Portlanders with experts – and each other – to learn simple, low or no-cost ways to save money and be healthy all year long.

Getting bored with the same meals? Learn how to cook with different winter vegetables to mix it up. Tired of the drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet? There are experts to show you how to fix it yourself.  Sign-up for these and other workshops running now through April. 

Watch past workshops on the Fix-It Fair YouTube Channel  or visit the Virtual Exhibit Hall anytime! The Community Resource Guide continues to expand and improve to share tools and information on everything from health and wellness, to repair and home care, and cooking and gardening.  

Share a skill with Alder Commons

Alder Commons is a community hub where kids and adults can attend workshops and classes and spend their time freely. Members are coworkers, makers, and learners of all ages.  

There are currently offerings every month at Alder Commons, including a full week of workshops the last week of each month. Workshop Week programs are open to all ages, voluntary, mostly free, and offer everything from DIY and maker classes to gaming, writing and discussion options. 

Do you have a skill to share? Alder Commons is looking for additional workshop hosts if you have something you’d be willing to share with the community. 

Learn from each other at Kitchen Commons

Kitchen Commons is on a mission to foster community kitchens and leaders that bring people together to share food, resources and relationships. They are starting the year with a monthly series of food justice workshops, free and online.  

The goal of the workshop series is to engage, educate, and empower diverse participants to improve as community organizers and facilitators. Together, you will:

• Learn and share new recipes.

• Meet people from other cultures residing in our community and provide an opportunity to connect on a personal level in the kitchen and at the dining table through facilitated conversations.

• Grow as organizers and community leaders through new technical and communication skills.

Kitchen Commons also acts as a resource for Northeast Portland residents, hosting the Kitchen Share, Community Kitchens and more ways to connect with local food organizations.

Keep it local, shop small

The holidays are often a time for creativity and this year is no exception. From online choral concerts and karaoke, to walkable and drivable light displays, we are making the most of our current situation to find some holiday cheer.   

For holiday shopping and giving, this year is about keeping it local and COVID-safe. Make a plan for shopping in-person and talk it through in advance with family or friends if you’ll have others in tow.  

The City of Portland announced December as “Shop Local Month” to recognize the importance of small, local businesses to the city and its economy. In partnership with local organizations, the City has created and improved public safety to instill support of local small businesses, many of which are owned by people of color. For small businesses, much of their annual income is made during the holiday season. 

Shop Small PDX is one resource to help connect Portland residents and visitors to shop local and to be intentional about where you spend your money. Others include directories for Black and Indigenous-owned businesses. Plus, The Intentionalist offers a directory of businesses in Portland and cities around the country.  

Headed downtown? Combine your gift list with visual treats. Check out the Winterland project, a 26-day art experience at window locations throughout downtown, the Central Eastside, and Old Town. Passing by Pioneer Courthouse Square? Visit this year’s holiday tree in Portland’s Living Room to help you celebrate the season. 

Looking ahead to the new year, an experience gift could signal hopeful times together. Perhaps a gift certificate to a local restaurant or theater, weekend travel plans to the Oregon Coast, or a workshop or class. Find more ideas and get holiday tips to save money and shop local with previous Resourceful PDX blog posts.  

Keep it fresh: Stretch your food dollars with these storage tips

Have you ever opened a bag of moldy bread? Or found something funky at the back of your fridge? Avoid another stinky surprise and stretch your food dollars by following these storage best practices.

A) The freezer is your friend

Tired of leftovers? Freeze them for lunch next week. Bread going bad before the loaf’s end? Store it in the freezer, and pop frozen slices right in the toaster. You can even freeze butter to keep it fresh for up to 9 months.

Consider buying frozen instead of fresh: Frozen vegetables are nutritious, easy to cook with, and they don’t mind if you forget about them for a bit (fresh broccoli lasts a week, frozen lasts a year). Plus, a full freezer uses less energy than an
empty one.

B) Know your fridge

Crisper drawers keep carrots crunchy and celery snappy; they’re the best place for fruits and vegetables. Use the high-humidity drawer for produce that wilts and the low-humidity for fruit and veggies that get moldy. The door is the warmest spot in the fridge, so use it for condiments but not milk or other perishable items.

C) Cool cupboards

Heat, light and humidity are the enemy of preserving flavor and freshness in herbs and spices, dried beans and grains and cooking oils. Store these items in a cool, dry, dark cupboard or drawer. The same goes for potatoes, onions and garlic.

D) Countertop tips

Leave tomatoes and avocados on the counter to ripen, then move to the fridge to keep them from going bad.

Top storage tools to try

Painter’s tape & permanent marker: Label and date like a pro. (It’s how restaurants keep track.)

Air-tight containers: Clear, air-tight jars, containers and bags keep food fresh and easy to see.

Phone camera: Snap a shelfie of your fridge, freezer, cupboard or spice drawer before heading to the store, so you don’t double-buy.

Lists: Keep lists on the fridge to make notes as you run out of things. An “Eat Me Soon” list is also helpful to avoid forgotten fruit and hidden leftovers.

Find more food saving tips

Find more storage tips that are good for your wallet and good for the planet at Eat Smart Waste Less. And while you're there, check out their tips for food shopping and cooking. (The site is also available in Spanish: www.eatsmartwasteless.com/acepteelreto)

This article appeared in the Winter 2020 Curbsider publication.