Donate to the Portland Fruit Tree Project
In 2009 over 14,798 lbs of fruit was collected and given to those in need, saving it from falling and going to waste on the sidewalks. The Portland Fruit Tree Project is an amazing idea that both helps fight hunger and waste, while increasing urban sustainability in a very green way. The PFTP collects fruit from trees in the city that would otherwise go to waste, all fruit is either in a public space or has been donated by the property owner. No more walking down the street to find perfectly good plums rotting and squishing underfoot from where they fell, now the little old lady with too many plums can have volunteers collect them from the trees in her yard and then then take them to the food bank. Fresh fruit and vegetables are critical to a healthy diet, yet often are unavailable at a reasonable cost which prevents lower income families from enjoying fresh food. With the Portland Fruit Tree Project, all of the food is used and used by those who need it most.
Now through December 31st, 2009 the Portland Fruit Tree Project has a generous anonymous donor that will do a 50% match on whatever donations are collected. That means that your donation now can make 50% more of an impact to the hungry of the Portland area. You can also Gift a donation. The donation goes to the project and they send a holiday gift card to the person who you gifted it for thanking them for the donation in their name. Give the gift of local healthy food to the hungry and urban sustainability for us all to share.
To donate to this amazing project write a check to or donate online:
The Portland Fruit Tree Project
1912 NE Killingsworth St
Portland, OR 97211
… Read the full story »Filed Under: Eco Ideas, Food, Portland, Recycling, Sustainable | Tagged:
Southern Utes Invest in Algae
In nature, nothing is wasted. One organism’s waste stream becomes anothers source of energy. Wouldn’t it be great if that principle was applied to our carbon dioxide emissions? Natural gas plants, for instance, vent huge quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Research on capturing that carbon, feeding it to carbon-loving algae, and harvesting the resulting algae oil to be the feedstock for biodiesel has been underway for some time. Check out a diagram of that process here. Recently, Solix Biofuels, an alternative energy start up based in Colorado, has capitalized on this research by installing an algae farm at a natural gas plant on the Southern Utes Indian Reservation. According to the New York Times, the Southern Utes have invested heavily in the project. Since the tribe makes its investment decisions with many future generations (not just quarterly profits) in mind, they had the long-run vision needed to make the project profitable.
Maybe every power plant needs an algae farm.
… Read the full story »Filed Under: Eco Ideas, Green Energy, Recycling | Tagged:
Metro South Station: Recycling Center
2001 Washington St., Oregon City 97045
503-234-3000
Summer hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily March 1-Sept. 30
Fall/winter hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (Feb. 29 in leap years)
Holidays: closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days
Household hazardous waste hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday
Rates and fees
Cover your load and pay a lower rate.
Mixed waste - uncovered (untarped) loads: $100.75 per ton plus an $8.50 transaction fee
Minimum charge is $31 for 440 pounds or less.
Mixed waste - covered (tarped) loads: $75.75 per ton plus an $8.50 transaction fee.
Minimum charge is $25 for 440 pounds or less.
Yard debris and clean wood - uncovered (untarped) loads: $68 per ton plus an $8.50 transaction fee
Minimum charge is $23 for up to 440 pounds. Must be free of dirt, sod, stumps, rocks, metal, glass, garbage and plastic bags. Wood must be free of all hardware (nails OK).
Yard debris and clean wood - covered (tarped) loads: $43 per ton plus an $8.50 transaction fee
Minimum charge is $18 for up to 440 pounds. Must be free of dirt, sod, stumps, rocks, metal, glass, garbage and plastic bags. Wood must be free of all hardware (nails OK).
Total fees will be rounded to the nearest dollar amount (e.g., $30.49 is rounded to $30; $30.50 is rounded to $31).
Car tires: each tire, $2 off rim, $4 on rim; plus an $8 flat fee. Tires 21 inches and larger not accepted. Once the per tire fee exceeds the tip fee minimum ($25), loads will be weighed. Limit of 15 tires per day per customer.
Railroad ties: Ties are 4 feet or less in length are accepted (as trash) in small numbers from non-commercial customers. Railroad ties longer than 4 feet cannot be accepted. Railroad ties are charged the garbage rate.
Appliances: Air conditioners, freezers, refrigerators and other units built to containing coolant: $20 (limit of five units)
Other appliances may be free of charge; see “What can be recycled for free.”
The per-ton rate applies if tires or appliances containing coolant are brought in with a garbage load.
Recyclables: There is no charge to drop off source-separated recyclable; see “What can be recycled for free.”
Payment options
Cash, Visa, MasterCard, debit cards and checks are accepted. Personal checks must be presented with a valid driver’s license or identification card that matches the check being written. The signer must be present. Certified businesses that have been in business for at least one year can open a transfer station credit account…
… Read the full story »Metro Central Station: Recycling Center
6161 NW 61st Ave Portland, OR 97210
503-234-3000
March 1-Sept. 30 Summer hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (Feb. 29 in leap years) Fall/winter hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Holidays: Closed (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days)
Household hazardous waste hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday
Rates and fees
Cover your load and pay a lower rate.
Mixed waste - uncovered (untarped) loads: $100.75 per ton plus an $8.50 transaction fee
Minimum charge is $31 for 440 pounds or less.
Mixed waste - covered (tarped) loads: $75.75 per ton plus an $8.50 transaction fee.
Minimum charge is $25 for 440 pounds or less.
Yard debris and clean wood - uncovered (untarped) loads: $68 per ton plus an $8.50 transaction fee
Minimum charge is $23 for up to 440 pounds. Must be free of dirt, sod, stumps, rocks, metal, glass, garbage and plastic bags. Wood must be free of all hardware (nails OK).
Yard debris and clean wood - covered (tarped) loads: $43 per ton plus an $8.50 transaction fee
Minimum charge is $18 for up to 440 pounds. Must be free of dirt, sod, stumps, rocks, metal, glass, garbage and plastic bags. Wood must be free of all hardware (nails OK).
Total fees will be rounded to the nearest dollar amount (e.g., $30.49 is rounded to $30; $30.50 is rounded to $31).
Car tires: each tire, $2 off rim, $4 on rim; plus an $8 flat fee. Tires 21 inches and larger not accepted. Once the per tire fee exceeds the tip fee minimum ($25), loads will be weighed. Limit of 15 tires per day per customer.
Railroad ties: Ties are 4 feet or less in length are accepted (as trash) in small numbers from non-commercial customers. Railroad ties longer than 4 feet cannot be accepted. Railroad ties are charged the garbage rate.
Appliances: Air conditioners, freezers, refrigerators and other units built to containing coolant: $20 (limit of five units)
Other appliances may be free of charge; see “What can be recycled for free.”
The per-ton rate applies if tires or appliances containing coolant are brought in with a garbage load.
Recyclables: There is no charge to drop off source-separated recyclable; see “What can be recycled for free.”
Payment options
Cash, Visa, MasterCard, debit cards and checks are accepted. Personal checks must be presented with a valid driver’s license or identification card that matches the check being written. The signer must be present. Certified businesses that have been in business for at least one year can open a transfer station credit account…
… Read the full story »Portland Recycling Center
2005 N Rosa Parks Way, Portland, OR 97217
503-228-5375
… Read the full story »