As part of our mission to reduce carbon footprint and build community swapnplay will host an annual reuse/recycle/swap event for not only St Johns and Cathedral Park residents but anyone else in the greater North Portland. We are calling it Trash to Treasure. Our 2nd annual Trash to Treasure will be the weekend after Earth Day Saturday, April 24th. The event will be held at 7535 N Chicago Ave, at the corner of N Chicago Ave and N Leonard St just above our swapnplay space at Red Sea church.

We will begin collecting reusable items on Friday the night before the event from 4pm to 8pm. Swapping of reusable goods and recycling collection will be on Saturday from 10am to 3pm.

Swapping is done on the honor system, as long as you bring something to contribute you are welcome to swap for other items based on what you think the value of your contributions total.

Suggested items for swap include clean & working:

• Clothes (children-adult)
• Accessories
• Books
• Toys
• Play Equipment
• Household Items
• Sporting Goods
• Electronics
• Furniture
• Tools
• Craft Supplies
• Art Supplies
• Damaged Clothing/Linens
• Building Materials
• Plants/Seeds
• Gardening Supplies (non-hazardous)

Recyclable items that will be accepted are:

• Block Styrofoam
• Packing Peanuts
• Rigid Plastics (like toys)
• Rinsed out 1-7 food containers
• Wood Waste
• Metals
• Tires
• All Electronics excluding broken microwaves
• Athletic Shoes
• Batteries (household & rechargeable)

Mixed Waste will be accepted at this event!

What we can not take at the event is:

• Yard Debris
• Broken Microwaves
• Sod
• Concrete
• Dirt
• Hazardous Waste
• Gas Powered Machines
• Landscaping Material
• AC Units

Volunteers: Lots of volunteers are needed to make this a successful event and ensure our efforts can be duplicated annually. Event volunteers have the best access to Swap items. Volunteers are needed to direct traffic, greet vehicles, unload and sort recyclables and unload and sort reusables. Shifts are only 2 hours long starting at 8:30am on Saturday. Snacks and beverages provided throughout the day. Lunch served to noon time volunteers. To volunteer or for more info about the event call Andrea Davey at 503-544-3996 or email:  andreadavey@comcast.net.

Suggested donation for recyclables: $3-5/vehicle. Funds will go toward event expenses and planning for Trash to Treasure 2010.

There is no cost to participate in the reuse portion of Trash to Treasure. Swapping is done on the honor system. It’s as simple as bring what you don’t need, take what you do.

This event is sponsored in partnerships with: St Johns Neighborhood Association, Friend of Cathedral Park Neighborhood Association, Metro and Portland Office of Planning and Sustainability, Swapnplay and Red Sea Church.