NEW LIFE FOR OLD STUFF

THE ARC REUSE & RECYCLING CENTER

We have over 15 years of experience finding new homes and new usefulness for unwanted items. Our business model prioritizes redistributing items locally rather than sending them off to unknown markets, and we collaborate with recycling/e-cycling industry leaders to follow best practices and co-design systems that promote more reuse.

OUT OF THE LANDFILL

Last year we processed 278 tons of donated materials at our donation center – that’s 556,000 pounds! 

Over this next year we aim to increase our rescued materials by an additional 90,000 pounds.

We’re currently able to place about 20% of donated items directly back into local circulation, a number we hope to double over our next year of operation. 

The remaining viable items are recycled or sent in bulk to larger organizations for repurposing.

ON TO NEW ADVENTURES

Just because something has outlived its usefulness in one area doesn’t mean that it can’t move on to different purposes and new horizons. Our team brings creativity, innovation, and a focus on adaptive life cycle sustainability to the process of reusing, recycling, and repurposing the donated items we receive.

HOW WE WORK

workforce development

Our repurposing programs offer opportunities for team members to learn and apply new industries and skill sets in the realms of recycling, e-cycling, sustainability, and more.

INTEGRATED WORKFORCE

Our repurposing center team enjoys an inclusive, diverse workspace where everyone balances taking on exciting new challenges with playing to their strengths.

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT

We work with amazing community partners to offer employment opportunities of choice to individuals who need ongoing support with a variety of job skills.

STUFF WE TAKE

 

 

We’re proud to have the capacity to accept and repurpose a wide variety of items.

Rehoming:

  • Clothing, shoes and accessories
  • Linens and bedding
  • Textiles for recycling
  • Jewelry and watches
  • Musical instruments
  • Personal electronics
  • Records, CD’s and Cassettes
  • Books
  • Toys in good condition and complete. No plastic toys larger than a large moving box.
  • Home goods (dishes, silverware, cookware, décor, etc)
  • Recreational and camping gear
  • Small furniture items:
    • Must be of solid wood construction (no particle board)
    • Smaller in size: dressers, nightstands, end tables, sitting chairs
    • In good working order and ready to sell
    • Vintage or collectible pieces

 

Electronics Recycling

We accept old electronics for our certified e-cycling program:

  • Computers
  • Computer monitors
  • Televisions
  • Desktop printers
  • Smaller items such as keyboards, mice, cell phones, etc.

 

Please wipe or remove your hard drive before donating items with data storage. While we make every effort to carefully process donated items, we cannot be liable or responsible for any later misuse of information left on donated technology.

 

Scrap Metal Recycling

We accept items made from steel, aluminum, copper, stainless steel, brass, and tin:

  • Washers
  • Dryers
  • Stoves/ranges
  • Metal bed frames
  • Microwaves
  • Cookware, flatware
  • Free weights
  • Wiring
  • Extension cords

STUFF WE CAN'T TAKE RIGHT NOW

 

 

We are always looking for initiatives and partnerships that will allow us to accept a wider variety of items to repurpose, but we are operating within some limitations. 

We are currently unable to accept the following items:

  • Mattresses, hide-a-beds, sleeper sofas, bunk beds, cribs, and box springs
  • Furniture: large items, or items in disrepair
  • Refrigerators and freezers
  • Mini-blinds, drapes on rods, and curtain rods
  • Baby furniture: cribs, car seats, play pens, and high chairs
  • Kiddie pools and large plastic toys, such as ride-on toys
  • Anything that needs to be built in, such as toilets, sinks, and cabinets
  • Gas-powered equipment, like lawn mowers, trimmers/edgers, gas cans, etc.
  • Clothes that are dirty, musty, smoky or wet. No rips, stains, or tears
  • Shoes that are overly worn or dirty, or have as rips, stains, or tears
  • Dated material such as encyclopedias, text books, and magazines
  • Pillows, mattress pads
  • Bicycles
  • Bean bag chairs
  • Golf clubs and bags
  • Auto parts, such as mats, oil, or fluids
  • Building materials
  • Firearms and ammunition
  • Food and beverages (including pet and baby formula)
  • Household chemicals
  • Paint and paint thinners
  • Medications and vitamins
  • Pianos and organs
  • Large carpets and padding
  • Plastic containers and lids
  • Cleaning supplies, such as cleaners, mops, and brooms
  • Vacuums and carpet-cleaning machines
  • Suitcases (unless new)
  • Unframed mirrors
  • Stereo speakers
  • VHS tapes or empty CD cases

If you need help finding a home for any of the items we can’t accept, feel free to ask us for suggestions on local partners who might be able to accept them.

DONATION CENTER

Location

6929 NE Halsey St

Portland OR 97213

Contact Us

Phone: (503) 223-7279

Our Hours
Thursday through Monday

9AM – 4PM

Follow Us