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Clackamas County Sustainability Newsletter for Multifamily Property Managers
Fall 2023
Your quarterly guide to successful recycling & waste reduction
from Clackamas County's Sustainability & Solid Waste Program
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In this edition:
- Fall is Upon Us
- Start the New School Year with New-to-You Gear
- Reduce, Reuse, and then Recycle Right
- Free Disposal of Old Computers, Laptops, TVs and More
- Need Assistance Right-Sizing Garbage/Recycling Service?
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Fall is Upon Us
Football, pumpkin spice lattes, like-new attire, oh my! The seasons are changing, classes are starting, and our quarterly multifamily e-newsletter comes around again.
While it's not officially fall yet, this edition will help you and your residents start the school year off on the right foot with waste reduction, reuse, and recycling resources.
Pop Quiz: Is the to-go hot beverage cup & lid pictured above recyclable in your community? (You can find the answer at the bottom of this e-newsletter.)
Have we stumped you already? No worries, we're to help. Contact us today!
Do you manage communities outside of Clackamas County? See our list of regional multifamily contacts throughout the tri-county area who are ready to help with your waste prevention, reuse, and recycling efforts.
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Start the New School Year with New-To-You Gear
Consider buying secondhand before buying new. Buying used is a great way to help the environment, save money, and score some fun, unique, new-to-you gear. Whether you're back-to-school shopping for the kids or just want some fun, new (to you) holiday decor, buying used minimizes waste and can be so rewarding when you find just-the-right fit or that oh-so-unique item at a fraction of retail costs. Here are some ideas to start the school year off right:
- Repair Fairs - Where volunteer fixers help community members mend broken items. Get the hem fixed on a favorite shirt or see if your old coffee maker can be brought back to life. These fun, free, community events help inspire a culture of repair.
- Shop Thrift Stores - From Goodwill stores to Shwop (member-based swap) to boutique consignment shops, find clothing, furniture, house decor and more. Simply search the internet for "thrift stores near me."
- School Supplies - While some thrift stores may have back-to-school basics, SCRAP Creative Reuse can supply you with everything you need to keep your creative juices flowing to make your backpack truly unique.
- Free Geek - Get safely and securely refurbished local technology at low or no cost. Supply fluctuates, so please be patient with this local nonprofit, and consider donating used devices.
Find more reuse and donation options on our website or learn more about Repair Fairs in the video below.
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Reduce, Reuse, and then Recycle Right
Buying used instead of new is just one way we can reduce our environmental footprint. We can reduce and reuse by utilizing what we already have. Below is a list of waste reduction and reuse ideas for you to consider:
- Use a refillable water bottle.
- Take a reusable coffee tumbler with you to the coffee shop.
- Bring your own bags to the grocery store.
- Keep a reusable straw in your car or backpack.
- Consider a clothing swap with friends.
- Browse your local library collection for a new book or game.
- Visit a local Library of Things to try something new or to borrow a rarely-used item.
- Walk, bike, ride public transit, or carpool instead of driving yourself.
- Adjust the thermostat one degree (up or down depending on the season).
- Do full loads of laundry.
- Turn lights off in empty rooms.
- Brush your teeth with the water off.
- Use microfiber cloths for cleaning instead of paper towels.
- Make your own cleaning products using household ingredients.
- Eat leftovers (don't let good food go bad).
The list goes on. Start thinking of small ways you can reduce and reuse to make a big difference.
However, even after we reduce and reuse, we still have items to discard: junk mail, milk jugs, egg cartons, cans... It's not just important to recycle; we must recycle right. You may have heard the phrase, "When in doubt, throw it out." I often say, to be a good recycler, you must be ok with throwing items in the trash. Watch the video below to freshen up on some recycling basics, play the RecycleOrNot game to test your knowledge (or challenge a friend/family member), or visit our online guide for more information.
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Free Disposal of Old Laptops, Computers, TVs, and More!
Did you know you can dispose of old laptops, computers, TVs and more for FREE at convenient locations, like Goodwill? Thanks to the Oregon E-Cycles program, disposal costs for these electronics have already been covered at the time of purchase. These items are banned from being disposed of in the trash, and instead must be properly discarded so harmful chemicals do not make their way into the environment. E-cycling also allows many valuable materials to be recycled and used in new products. Find an Oregon E-Cycles location near you.
If you are unable to transport your Oregon E-Cycles items to a drop-off location for recycling, your garbage/recycling company can transport them for you for a small fee. Call your collector or speak with your property manager to coordinate pick-up.
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Need Help Right-Sizing Your Garbage/Recycling Service?
Are your community's garbage bins regularly overflowing? Not enough room for all the cardboard boxes? Do you have a glass bin?
Don't fret! We're here to help. Contact us today so we can work with you and your garbage/recycling company to ensure you have enough service to meet your needs, without overpaying for service.
You can also:
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Pop Quiz Answer
To-go cups, both for hot and cold beverages, go in the garbage.
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Interested in knowing WHY?
For better or worse, recycling is a business. In order to be accepted in our recycling bins at home, work, and school, items must:
- Have a market, meaning a buyer is interested in buying a product that they can economically break down and make into a new product.
AND
- Work with our local recycling sorting facilities' equipment. For example, plastic bags have a market (someone who wants them), but they get wrapped up in our sorting machines and prevent the machines from working properly. Thus, plastic bags can be dropped off at paticipating retailers (e.g. Fred Meyer, Safeway, etc.) for recycling.
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Questions? Have a suggestion?
Download our Recycle Guides
Clackamas County Sustainability & Solid Waste
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