PlanetCon: A Free Recycling, Reuse and Sustainability Fair

Image courtesy of Westside Planet Alliance

Recycle, donate and find something new to you at PlanetCon.

The free recycling, reuse and sustainability fair features recycling of plastics, electronics, small appliances and batteries; a free market swap area; a repair fair; and donation of goods.

Here’s how you can participate in this upcoming event.

PlanetCon: A Free Recycling, Reuse and Sustainability Fair

PlanetCon is taking place at PCC Rock Creek on Saturday, April 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event offers a variety of activities with specific information on how you can participate in each one.

Here’s a list of all the activities:

Recycling Drop Off

Items that can be dropped off include: 

• Batteries, CFLs, medications and medical sharps.
• Computers, electronics​ and other small corded items.
• Small appliances, string lights, printer ink cartridges and more.
• Scrap metal (large and small pieces).
• Select plastics, including #1 PET/PETE plastic and #5 PP plastic.
• Redeemable cans and bottles.

PlanetCon has put together a list of what is and is not accepted at the recycling drop off. 

Free Table

​Get a jump on your spring cleaning and bring in gently used items for someone else to enjoy. Then browse the tables to find items to take home.

Accepted items include kitchen utensils, cookware, silverware, small appliances, table linens, décor, wastebaskets, small lamps, small tools yard and garden tools and planter pots. The PCC learning garden can accept usable hoses and wheelbarrows.

Donation limit is an armful of goods per person. No oversized or heavy items will be accepted.

You don’t have to bring something to take something from the free table and there is no limit to how much each person can take home.

Repair Fair

Bring broken household items for free repair. Acceptable items include:

• Clothing and other textiles
• Tools
• Jewelry
• Décor
• Small furniture items
• Toys
• Bicycles
• Electronics

Registration is required and limited to two items per person. 

Donate Usable Items

PlanetCon is also accepting donations of goods including:

• Bicycles from children to adult sizes, including bikes and bike parts in any condition and bike accessories. 
• Hearing aids and eyeglasses, including prescription eyeglasses of any size, readers, sunglasses, clip-on sunglasses, fit-overs, safety goggles, swim goggles, hearing aids, hearing aid batteries, and other hearing aid accessories. Frames must be intact with no breakage but scratched lenses are OK. If a screw is missing but the lens/lenses are there, keep parts together.
• Clean, gently used clothing and shoes. Highly needed items are men’s pants sizes 30-34 and men’s shoes.

​Information Tables

Learn more about important reuse topics at a variety of information tables. Topics covered include:

• Reduce, reuse and repair tips.
• Preventing and reducing wasted food with Eat Smart, Waste Less.
• Recycling at home.
• Reducing your use of single-use items.
• Learn how to make your own green cleaners to reduce toxics in the home.
• The ​Master Recycler program offers training on recycling and sustainable practices.
• Learn about alternatives to lawns.

Other activities include live music, lunch for purchase, solar array, learning garden and apiary tours and a scavenger hunt.

PlanetCon takes place at PCC Rock Creek campus at 17705 NW Springville Rd. in Portland. Parking is free on event day in lots C and E.

This free event is hosted by the Westside Planet Alliance. For more information, visit PlanetCon’s website.

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