Groovy Groups
1000 Friends of Oregon
1000 Friends of Oregon is a nonprofit group that promotes the participation of citizens in the land use planning decisions that affect Oregon. They promote compact, livable cities with affordable housing, green spaces and transportation alternatives. They also work to conserve Oregon's productive farm, forest and range lands as well as protect natural resources and scenic areas along the Coast and across the state. Learn more at friends.org.
City Repair Project
The City Repair Project is a group of citizen activists working for a more ecologically sustainable community. By reclaiming urban spaces to create community-oriented places, this group plants the seeds for greater neighborhood communication by empowering communities and nurturing local culture. Visit cityrepair.org to learn more.
Freecycle.org
The Freecycle Network is a project of RISE, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
whose mission includes reducing waste, generating employment training,
and fostering cooperation between other nonprofit organizations and the
public. Join at groups.yahoo.com/group/freecycleportland/.
Free Geek
Free Geek is a Portland nonprofit that recycles and refurbishes donated computers
and other electronic equipment, making them available to individuals
and other nonprofits in the community. Volunteers can participate, learn
and earn a free computer in the process. Since 2000, Free Geek has refurbished
more than 15,000 computer systems, salvaged over 1,800 tons of e-scrap — keeping
toxins such as lead and mercury out of the landfill — and recovered valuable
materials such as gold and copper for reuse. Learn more at freegeek.org.
Friends of Trees
Friends of Trees gets neighbors together for tree-planting and tree-care projects.
They educate the public on the importance of the urban forest and what
people can do to protect and care for urban trees. They have made planting
a tree both affordable and fun through their innovative Branching Out
program. Volunteers are always welcome. Interested? Visit friendsoftrees.org to learn more.
Growing Gardens
Growing Gardens, named a 2003 Public Health Hero by the Multnomah County Health Department, promotes food gardening for improved nutrition, health and self-reliance. Their Home Gardens program installs organic food gardens to low-income homes and provides three years of maintenance support for every garden. Learn more or become a volunteer at growing-gardens.org.
Master Recyclers
Master Recyclers take a nine-week course on the latest information on waste prevention
and recycling. They then share this information with their neighbors in Multnomah,
Clackamas and Washington counties at events, farmers markets and community
meetings, and through independent projects. There are more than 825 Master
Recyclers, volunteering more than 16,000 hours. Visit masterrecycler.org to learn more or to become a Master Recycler.
Metro
Metro provides planning services and land-use information to local governments,
policy makers and residents of the Portland metropolitan area. They also
oversee regional garbage disposal and recycling programs. Go to metro-region.org to learn more or to become a volunteer.
Portland Store Fixtures
Portland Store Fixtures recovers display fixtures and materials abandoned by closed retail businesses, keeping more than 100 tons out of the landfill each year. While it also sells new fixtures, the store gives a second life to unusual and funky racks, shelving, mannequins and lighting — much of which is great for artists as well as shop owners. Check out examples of the ever-changing inventory at portlandstorefixtures.com.
Rebuilding Center
With an inventory that changes by the hour, the Rebuilding Center is the ultimate
spot for do-it-yourselfers, contractors and artists looking to build
with affordable, environmentally low-impact materials. With the support
of a dedicated staff, volunteers, businesses, government agencies and
thousands of citizens, the Rebuilding Center has saved millions of pounds
of reusable building materials from entering local landfills. Call 503.331.1877 to
become a volunteer. Visit rebuildingcenter.org tolearn more.
ReDirect Guide
The ReDirect Guide is like a green Yellow Pages. Promoting
sustainable and healthy communities, it’s a great resource and phone directory
for socially and environmentally responsible businesses in the Portland and Vancouver
metropolitan area. Check it out at redirectguide.com.
reuseablesolutions.org
reuseablesolutions.org is
designed to spark environmental awareness and inspire you to make small personal
changes that create the mindset to support a healthy planet.
Schoolhouse Supplies
Schoolhouse Supplies collects surplus office supplies and books from businesses in the community and uses them to stock a unique store for Portland Public School teachers — where
everything is free! This award-winning program offers a unique opportunity for
businesses to donate excess office supplies, receive a tax benefit, and help
thousands of students in need. Become a volunteer at schoolhousesupplies.org.
SCRAP
SCRAP (School & Community Reuse Action Project) sells a variety of materials
for art, craft and school use; provides a public workshop room to inspire creative
reuse; and presents art and environmental activities at school and community
events. SCRAP materials are collected from businesses and individuals, diverting
64,000 pounds each year from the waste stream. Find out how to donate or get
involved at scrapaction.org.
Trillium Artisans
Trillium Artisans is a nonprofit community economic development
program. Trillium’s primary goal is to help low-income artisans increase their
craft business income and build sustainable microenterprises. All products
reflect a commitment to sustainability: They are created with at least
50% recycled or reclaimed materials and are priced to pay the artisan
a living wage. Learn more at trilliumartisans.org.