Sellwood Moreland Improvement League

Recycling resources

Recycling those difficult things, in Inner Southeast

By ELIZABETH USSHER GROFF
Courtesy of THE BEE

It is easy to throw old things into the garbage, but what happens when landfills reach capacity, and more land has to be found for new dump sites? 

It isn’t always convenient to recycle, but it is worth a little extra effort because the benefits of recycling outweigh the inconvenience. Recycling is better for the environment, and it spares stuffing landfills to the gills.

The city provides curbside recycling of paper, metal, and some plastics, but many people have questions about where to take other things that can’t be recycled that way.

The market for recycling is definitely not static, but currently the following locations take recyclables that cannot be placed at the curb:  

Green Century Electronic Recycling

6932 S.W. Macadam Avenue

Phone: 503/764-9963

            Hours: M-F 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

A few of the things they take are: VHS tapes, floppy disks, cassette tapes, cell phones, computers, printers, washers, dryers, ovens and stoves, keyboards, over a dozen kinds of light bulbs and household batteries. Everything is free to drop off, with the exception of: televisions ($10), CRT monitors, light bulbs, and household sized batteries. For the latter items, there is a small charge by the pound. Go online: http://www.greencenturyonline.net – for an extensive list of recyclables.

Free Geek

1731 SE 10th Avenue (between Market & Mill)

Phone: 503/232-9350

http://www.freegeek.org
Hours: Tues.-Sat. 10-6 p.m.

They accept all computer and electronic equipment, including monitors in any condition, televisions, stereos, and DVD players.  Open Tues.-Sat. 10-6pm. There is a charge of $3.00 but it is not obligatory.

The UPS Stores

             In Sellwood, 1327 S.E. Tacoma Street, 503/235-7122

             In Woodstock, 4207 S.E. Woodstock Blvd., 503/788-1400 

            http://www.upsstorelocal.com 

These stores accept clean Styrofoam peanuts, and bubble wrap with bubbles intact.

Batteries Plus / Bulbs

            4812 S.E. 82nd Avenue of Roses (Between Foster and Holgate)

            Phone: 503/771-1377

            http://www.batteriesplus.com

They recycle cell phones, all batteries, rechargeable batteries, car batteries, and compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Sellwood Goodwill Outlet (the “bins”)

1740 Ochoco Street, at S.E. 17th

Phone: 503/230-2076

Appliances – toasters, lamps, irons, televisions – anything with a cord. All are accepted, even if not in working order.

Woodstock Goodwill

            6125 S.E. 52nd Avenue

            Phone: 503/774-3924  
Hours: Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Stores and donation sites such as this one depend on people to follow an “honor principle.”  If an electrical appliance doesn’t work, don’t take it there. Go instead            to “the bins” donation site on Ochoco Street.

New Seasons Market

In Sellwood: 1214 S.E. Tacoma Street, 503/230-4949

In Woodstock: 4500 S.E. Woodstock, 503/771-9963

The Sellwood store takes clean plastic bags, and plastics #1-6, including clamshells.

The Woodstock store takes clean plastic bags and clamshells. Check each store for a complete list of recyclables.

Some of the things that are not accepted at any of the above companies: Wood, painted or unpainted, and concrete.

Questions about recycling?  Call METRO recycling hotline 503/234-3000, or go online to: http://www.oregonmetro.gov/recycling.  METRO advises calling their hotline regarding any asbestos-related materials.

For paint, a rule of thumb is: If it is dry, the can goes into the garbage; and if it is wet, it goes to hazardous waste at a Metro depot.  The Southeast transfer station is located at 2001 Washington Street, Oregon City.

Keep an eye out for neighborhood recycling events where hazardous waste may be collected.