Newsletter Archives

April Newsletter Recap: Cultivating Community & Sustainability

Our neighborhoods are blooming, and so is our collective impact! April was a month of vibrant growth and action. Here is a look at the highlights from our latest newsletter:

• Sustainability Skills: We shared essential tips for giving items a second life via local partners plus a deep dive into the "2x2" Golden Rule for curbside recycling.

• Innovation Spotlight:  highlighting several sustainable companies and the good they are doing.

• Impact by the Numbers: Thanks to our community’s dedication, we successfully diverted 57.0 lbs of material from the landfill this past month!

Save the Date for upcoming local events, including the Foster Road Cleanup on May 9th and the Spring Garden Fair. Mark your calendars for June as well—I’ll be hosting a stop on the Foster Powell Garden Tour on June 20th to share my recycling setup and native garden!

Specialty Reuse Collections

Don’t forget our upcoming porch collections for eyeglasses, media (CDs/DVDs), and personal care products. Check the full schedule to see how you can contribute your hard-to-recycle items to our local station.

The March 2026 Rhone Street Recycle Station newsletter focuses on transitioning from a "recycling-first" mindset to one of active waste reduction and reuse. While celebrating the diversion of nearly 73 lbs of landfill waste, the issue highlights upcoming local sustainability fairs, new Oregon laws regarding reusable containers, and specific collection dates for specialty items like plastic eggs and school supplies. Ultimately, it challenges the community to make "recycling the last resort" by mastering the "2x2 rule" for small plastics and embracing a zero-waste lifestyle.

Change is in the air at the Rhone Street Recycle Station!

A new bin has been added for Multi-layer Plastics, so please double-check the labels on your next visit. We also have a fresh lineup of specialty reuse collections coming up, so be sure to check that list out.

Don't forget to check out our "Shine Test" guide in the newsletter to help you distinguish between #1 trash and #5 recyclable with regards to those amber-colored pill bottles!

Beyond the bins, we're getting creative with waste!

Learn how to turn citrus peels into a natural rodent repellent and mark your calendars for the Foster Road Cleanup on March 14th.

Together, we diverted over 96 lbs from the landfill this past month—let’s keep that momentum going!

Our first newsletter of 2026 is officially live, and we’re kicking off the year with a massive 110.7lb landfill diversion win! Inside this issue, you’ll get a first look at our newly installed "2x2 Test" stations and high-powered magnifying glass—tools designed to take the guesswork out of tricky resin codes. We’re also diving deep into "Eco-Friendly Living" with a proven success story on how to banish junk mail for good, alongside a comprehensive guide to Portland’s bulky waste resources for those "too big for the bin" items. Whether you’re here to check the rotating reuse schedule for tote bags and electronics or to grab the details for our Valentine’s Day community cleanup, this month is packed with actionable tips to level up your recycling game.

Stay informed and eco-inspired with the latest edition of the Rhone Street Recycle Station Newsletter (No. 17). This issue is packed with essential updates for 2026, including a deep dive into Oregon’s new recycling rules for shredded paper and a "Crinkle Test" guide to help you master the tricky distinction between plastic film and multi-layer packaging. Beyond the bins, you’ll find tips for "mindful travel" from a recent trip to Disneyland, community opportunities like the Foster Road monthly cleanups, and a monthly schedule for specialty reuse collections—ranging from holiday lights to pet supplies. Whether you are looking to audit your "wish-cycling" habits or want to see the collective impact of the 122 lbs of waste diverted from landfills this month, this newsletter is your go-to resource for building a more sustainable Portland.

The November 2025 Rhone Street Recycle Station Newsletter celebrates 13 months of operation and over 77,000 lbs of landfill diversion, emphasizing the importance of sustainable habits. The newsletter provides info on upcoming collection events. Crucial recycling tips are shared, including the importance of cleaning and rinsing plastic tubes, and the distinction between Multi-Layer Plastic (MLP) and hard plastics (labeled #1-#6). Finally, highlighting the correct way to recycle plastic bottle caps and offers resources for hazardous waste as well as free food pantries.

The October 2025 Rhone Street Recycle Station Newsletter highlights: The Glass Recycling Program has expanded in the Metro area...read about what can and cannot be accepted. . Furthermore, plastic storage containers are now allowed in the curbside bin, details inside. The newsletter outlines collection dates for specialty items like Halloween candy, essential hygiene items, painting supplies, and disposable contact lens containers. Clarifications between Multi-Layer Plastic (MLP) and Plastic Film (PL), providing simple tests/reminders to help distinguish between the two. Finally the newsletter announces a new business - REthink & REuse Party Kits LLC, a rental service for reusable dishware, to reduce single-use waste.

September Highlights: New Rules & Landfill Insights ~

I'm so excited to share the big news this month! DEQ has announced a major new recycling rule about square plastic containers for your blue bin—this is a huge, game-changing update for Oregonians!

In this issue, I also break down the most common mistakes I see, like "Wishcycling." My best advice for you remains simple: When in doubt, throw it out, and please, always make sure everything is clean and dry.

I recently had an eye-opening experience touring the Columbia Ridge Landfill. I share what it was like to see the staggering scale of our consumption—the sheer volume of trash that arrives daily is incredible!

Don't forget to save up for our upcoming Specialty Collections: Pots & Bakeware on October 19th and Essential Hygiene Items on November 16th. Plus, I've included some great Eco-Halloween tips, like avoiding plastic spider webs to protect our local wildlife.

My mission is to help all of us learn better, more sustainable methods. Got questions? Please ask me!

Welcome to the latest edition of the Rhone Street recycle station newsletter! In this issue, we're excited to announce a new partnership with a local artist who will be reusing #6 plastics.

We'll also highlight a new rule for recycling plastic caps and break down the difference between plastic film and multi-layer plastic, a common frustration for many of us.

You'll also get a look at some of the eco-friendly swaps our household has been making, featured on Instagram, and a recap of a recent Master Recycler tour of the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC).

Be sure to check out how much we saved from the landfill last month!

The 12th edition of the Rhone Street Recycle News is here, packed with exciting updates and helpful tips to supercharge your eco-friendly efforts.

• Styrofoam Secrets Unveiled: A guide on which types of Styrofoam you can and cannot recycle.

• Plastic-Free July Recap: Valuable insights and practical tips for reducing plastic in your daily life all year long.

• Give Your Unwanted Items a Second Life: Learn how to donate new items being collected, including bike inner tubes, reusable tote bags, baby items, and winter warmth essentials. 

• Master Recycler Moment: A behind-the-scenes look at PDX Airport's impressive sustainability efforts and waste management.

• Recycle Station Tips & Tricks: Brush up on recycling knowledge with visual guides and essential tips on what's "clean enough" for curbside and how to handle plastic film.

• Blue Bin Talk: New Curbside Recycling Rules: Stay informed about the latest changes to curbside recycling, including new acceptable sizes for plastic containers, rules on shredded paper, and pizza box guidelines.

• Reduce & Reimagine: Donate for Reuse: Learn how to save and bring items for reuse, including books, tennis balls, and pet supplies, plus new to the station - clean pump dispensers!

This month's 11th edition of the Rhone Street Recycle Station News is here! We've got a lot to cover because major changes are coming to recycling in Oregon.

Oregon's Recycling Laws are Changing! Starting July 1, new statewide recycling regulations will go into effect. This newsletter has everything you need to know about these updates, including what you can and can't recycle. It's crucial information, so please read this carefully.

Plastic Free July is Here! July also marks "Plastic Free July," a global initiative to encourage us all to reduce plastic consumption. This newsletter offers tips and ideas on how you can participate and make a difference.

Exciting New Addition at the Recycle Station! We're thrilled to announce an exciting new addition to the Rhone Street Recycle Station in July! You'll find all the details about what this means for our community inside.

Read and Absorb! I encourage you to read through this edition carefully. Much of this information will be reiterated monthly, as there are significant new details and changes.

Welcome to the 10th edition of the Rhone Street Recycle Station Newsletter! 

It's hard to believe, but it's been six whole months since we started this recycling journey together. 

In this edition, we've got some interesting updates and helpful tips for you:

 * Sneak Peak - Master Recycler Tour: I recently had the opportunity to take a Master Recycler tour of the Tualatin Valley Waste Recovery facility. It was fascinating to see the process firsthand! I'll be sharing some key takeaways and insights from the tour.

 * Recycling Right - Aluminum Foil: Let's clear up any confusion about aluminum foil. Find out the proper way to recycle it (hint: it needs to be relatively clean and balled up!).

 * Transparency Time - The Cost of Recycling: I believe in being upfront about what it takes to recycle properly. This month, I'm sharing a breakdown of the total amount of materials we've recycled over the past six months and the associated costs.

 * Beyond the Bin - Coffee Grounds in the Garden: Instead of tossing your used coffee grounds, learn how you can use them to enrich your garden soil. It's a win-win!

 * FoPo Garden Tour Scoop: Mark your calendars! My yard and garden will be a stop on the upcoming FoPo Garden Tour. 

In this issue, you'll find a bunch of helpful updates and interesting info, including:

 * Our latest landfill diversion stats – see the impact we're making together!

 * A reminder about the other items I'm currently collecting outside the usual bins.

 * Important blue bin guidance: Forget the arrows, sort by shape!

 * Details on a couple of events happening tomorrow and Saturday – don't miss out!

 * A clear explanation on how to handle recycling plastics with multiple layers and/or types.

 * Introducing the updated Rhone Street Recycle Station rules for smooth recycling.

 * Best practices for recycling shredded paper and aluminum foil.

 * Have you heard of the weekly watering number, here’s an intro.

 * A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the impressive sustainability efforts of the Oregon Convention Center!

Inside this issue, you'll find:

 * Decoding Your Plastics: Get the lowdown on recycle identification numbers and understand what those little symbols on your containers actually mean for recycling in our area.

 * Mailer Envelope Mystery Solved! Learn some helpful tips on identifying the difference between which mailer envelopes are actually recyclable and which belong in the trash.

 * Behind the Scenes at MetroPaint: Follow along on a recent tour I took of MetroPaint and gain insights into their fascinating process and how it connects to our reduce, reuse and recycle efforts.

 * Introducing Clean River Rewards: Get a quick intro to the Clean River Rewards program and discover how your commitment to stormwater management can benefit our local waterways and potentially earn you some rewards!

 * And Much More! We've also included other useful tidbits and local updates to keep you informed on all things green.

Inside this issue, we're diving into some interesting recycling topics:

 * Behind the Scenes: Get a glimpse of my recent tour of a local Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) – you might be surprised at what happens there!

 * Sustainable Swaps: Discover the many ways our family uses reusable kitchen towels (sometimes called UNpaper towels) and how they can benefit you too.

 * Making a Difference: See the impressive amount we've collectively diverted from the landfill this past month – your efforts are truly making an impact!

 * Decoding Green: We'll discuss the concept of "greenwashing," what it means, and practical tips to help you identify and avoid it.

 * Blue Bin Basics: A helpful reminder about what doesn't belong in your blue curbside recycling bin when it comes to paper and plastic.

 * Decoding the Numbers: We'll share some tips for finding those sometimes tricky recycling numbers before you bring your items here to the Rhone Street Recycle Station.

And that's not all! This 7th edition of the Rhone Street Recycle Station News is packed with even more helpful information and updates…plus did you know TODAY is Global Recycling Day!

In the 6th edition I talk about National Battery Day, my recent visit toe Recology Organics, some of the sustainable swaps we have made in our own home, some of the common and reoccuring mistakes we are seeing over and over again here at the waystation and much MORE

In this Fifth edition, I share: Portland's Paper recycling rules, other ideas for cardboard recycling, highlight the Right to Repair Act (SB542), reminders for how to properly use the Recycle Station, discuss Wishcycling, items to save for ongoing Reuse, as well as some sustainable resources at the zoo and a tour I took of Metro Central Transfer Station

In this first edition of 2025, I share the new record saved from the landfill, discuss Portland's metal and plastic recycling rules, Introduce the Oregon Reduces Program, share items to save for Reuse and/or Recycle, and share info about the brand new Mattress Recycle Program

In this last edition of 2024, I give a handful of reminders about how to recycle, how to identify recycling codes, Holiday recycling tips, and information on household Hazardous Waste disposal

In this issue learn the Recycling Codes and did you know Portland has a Garbage Day Reminder App!!!

Welcome to Rhone Street Recycle Station. I share a Recycling Challenge to test your knowledge...join me in this recycling adventure