For Portland, reused and upcycled goods aren't too hard to find. From Saturday Market booths to downtown sculptures, repurposed items seem to be a staple in the city know for its sustainable and creative efforts. However, reuse specialist and regional planners say that mainstream reuse practices are still far from commonplace in the region.
To boost regional and national awareness, Portland hosted the second ReuseConnex, a national convention and expo focusing on the growing reuse industry, this week. Along with professional lectures by experts in the reuse field, the event featured a wide variety of reuse-based exhibitors, a fashion show and an art exhibit at the Oct. 20 expo.
Bryce Jacobson, waste reduction planner at Metro, said that the conference sparked forward-thinking discussions about community reuse.
"It's a game changer when people find that reuse connection to consumer goods and take back from the waste stream," Jacobson said.
According the Jacobson, the conference focused heavily on the distinction between reuse (repurposing old items) and recycling (sending garbage to a facility to repurpose on a large scale).
"A lot of people think they are one and the same," he said. "Portland's achieved a lot with its recycling program, which is great. Now it's time we turn its attention to reuse."
Held at the Double Tree Lloyd Center, the expo's participants cover a range of local reuse businesses tackling all areas of repurposing. From GoBox, the Portland-made reusable to-go container company, to SCRAP PDX, a recycled art supply and craft store, the event's exhibits illustrate how product reuse can aid a plethora of industries.
Having the public understand this concept is key in bringing the idea mainstream, said Jacobson.
"There are so many concepts of reuse around us that people overlook," Jacobson said. "Like a used car, you wouldn't just throw an old car away."
While hosting the expo is an important step in educating the region on reuse, Jacobson said that a stronger connection with the National Reuse Alliance may help the idea get off the ground.
"Making it more than a local issue is important," Jacobson said. "It's not just a community solution, it's a global one."