:: OSEN :: Recycling Programs [oregonsen.org]

OSEN :: Recycling Programs
St. Vincent de Paul [SVDP] operates six waste-based businesses and nine retail thrift shops. The agency has been nationally and internationally recognized for these programs. Income from social enterprise accounts for nearly one-half of SVDP’s yearly revenues. Mattress Recycling: Waste mattresses and boxsprings are a nuisance in landfills because they do not decompose, create flammable air pockets, and can be hazardous to equipment operators. SVDP accepts mattresses for reuse and recycling in Oakland, California and Eugene, Oregon. Mattresses that can be reused as is are sold in the agency’s thrift shops or given to low-income families. Pieces that cannot be reused in their current form but have usable springs are rebuilt with new materials over the recycled springs. The remainder are recycled by breaking them down to their component parts. Appliance Recycling: In Oregon, major appliances, propane tanks, and fire extinguishers cannot be landfilled. SVDP processes all these items for reuse and recycling. Appliances are repaired for sale in thrift shops (each comes with a 90-day warranty) whenever possible. Those that cannot be repaired are separated into their recyclable parts. These are mainly metals (steel, copper, and aluminum). In the case of refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners, the Freon (an ozone-depleting gas) must be removed. SVDP is able to provide this as part of the recycling service and is the largest reclaimer/recycler on the West Coast of the United States. The gas taken from propane tanks is saved and used to power SVDP’s forklifts, cutting the amount we have to purchase by about 50%. Aurora Glass Factory: Window glass has few applications for recycling, unlike other types of glass such as bottle glass. SVDP uses window glass to create a line of gift, architectural, and custom-made items. Approximately 2 tons of glass per week are melted, colored, and hand poured to make sun catchers, wind chimes, light sconces, tiles, awards, and a number of other items. Aurora’s use of inexpensive recycled raw materials make it possible to run a small batch glass. EcoFiber: The waste material produced by textile manufacturers (also known as post-manufacturing waste) typically consists of the trimmings from larger pieces of material, plus thread and material that has small imperfections. It is usually landfilled because there are few uses for it. Utilizing a garnetting machine, SVDP can reuse these products to make batts of uniform size that can be used in the bedding industry. The garnetting machine also allows SVDP to process their post-consumer textiles (clothing and other materials that have been used by people before being discarded) into pet products. Woodshop: Post-manufacturing waste – in this case, woods products – again provides a consistent and quality raw material that can be used to make quality new products. Utilizing off-cuts from a local wood products manufacturer, SVDP produces a line of pine and melamine furniture that is sold in its retail stores or given to low-income families. The furniture includes book cases, dressers, tables and chairs, plant stands, CD cases, and night stands. Books: In small quantities, books are often a nuisance in retail thrift operations. In large quantities, however, books can become a major asset. SVDP receives about 20 tons of books a month. Roughly two-thirds of these books are not reusable and are recycled through a paper pulp facility. The remaining third are sorted into categories and sold through SVDP’s retail thrift stores. Our book shops are a great resource for members of the general public as well as book dealers in the Eugene/Springfield area. Retail Thrift Stores: SVDP runs eight retail thrift stores and a used car lot. It is one of the largest retail thrift operations in the country. The stores sell all of SVDP’s recycled products, as well as clothing, household goods, and toys donated by the community. They also sell a large quantity of furniture imported from nonprofit furniture recyclers in the United Kingdom. Gross receipts at the thrift stores is between $14,000 - $16,000 a day.