Decluttering can feel like a daunting task, but as anyone who has ever donated a large amount of unwanted stuff knows, reclaiming space in your home and yard is exhilarating.  On April 18, the Cully Association of Neighbors gave households the opportunity to affordably get rid of bulky items that can’t be recycled curbside at the annual Cully Earth Day Cleanup.  The cleanup in Cully is the largest of nearly 50 collection events held in the spring by Portland neighborhood associations.
More than 200 households brought vehicles packed with items ranging from furniture to building materials to electronics.  A total of 99 volunteers spent a beautiful Saturday inspecting and unloading items from vehicles, sorting recyclables and selling reusable items on the spot at the Neighborhood Yard Sale.  The work is often dirty and strenuous, but it’s rewarding to see dumpsters piled with items destined for the recycling center instead of the landfill or an illegal dumpsite.  Some of the items collected included 20 tons of mixed bulky waste; 8 tons of metal, rigid plastic, yard debris, and electronics; 450 pounds of cardboard; 75 tires; 22 cubic yards of block Styrofoam; and five truckloads of appliances, reusable building materials, food, clothing and household items.
Dozens of people show their dedication to the environment and their community by volunteering at the cleanup year after year.  A huge thank you to all of the individual volunteers and volunteer groups and businesses who helped make this such a great event.  The impact that you made in one day is enormous.  We especially would like to thank Trinity Lutheran Church and School, who graciously hosted the event once again in their parking lot and provided access to their facilities and equipment.
To all of the many volunteers, donors, recyclers and charitable organizations that participated, we greatly appreciate your contributions.  We hope that you had a fun day and that you’ll join us again next time.  If you have ideas about ways to improve the Cully Cleanup or if you would like to participate in next year’s planning process, email cullycleanup@gmail.com or call Jessica at 541-510-4761.  To learn how you can recycle, donate, reuse, and responsibly dispose of any type of material, visit www.oregonmetro.gov or call Metro at 503-234-3000.