"Free piles" divide Portlanders, who see trash or treasure
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Is one man's trash another person's treasure … or simply trash? Portlanders appear torn over whether "free piles" are a good way to pass on used belongings or if they just make neighborhood sidewalks dirtier.
Why it matters: Free piles — sometimes boxes of worn clothes, books, or household items and standalone pieces of furniture — are a common sight on street corners and can sometimes become a nuisance to property owners, who end up clearing out the unwanted junk themselves.
Between the lines: It's a phenomenon not unique to Portland, but part of a rise in interest in the circular economy and "buy nothing" groups.
Driving the news: The majority of Axios Portland readers (77%) who responded to our survey last week believe free piles are a sustainable way to get rid of used goods.
- However, just over half of respondents (51%) agreed that they contribute to litter on sidewalks and that the dumpee should be responsible for removing unwanted items within a couple of days.
- 70% of readers said they've put a box of used items on the sidewalk or in front of their residence before.
The big picture: Free piles that are placed in the right-of-way (on sidewalks or easements) are considered illegal dumping, per city code, and the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, which handles garbage and recycling, discourages them.
- "Rain ruins things, wind blows things around and creates litter, and dogs pee on items," Lindsey Maser, a spokesperson for the agency, told Axios in an email. "This means things that could have been donated or reused become garbage."
- Maser said that city rules allow for fines for piles on public property, but that the department leads with educating the public about the many options for local reuse, repair and large item disposal drop-off centers.
What you're saying: "I often wonder if people put these boxes out because it eases their conscience," one reader wrote. "They feel like they're being eco-friendly, but then the piles sit there."
- "It appears to be just a way for people to get rid of junk rather than finding people who need it," another comment read, recommending a local buy nothing group.
Yes, but: One respondent said their neighborhood came to an agreement on what's allowed to be placed on the sidewalk for picking over and how long it can sit out.
- "We've had old charcoal grills, sinks, appliances, and bed frames get picked up. Every time, I'm grateful that something I no longer need is getting a second life."
The intrigue: Many readers said they've scored treasured items from a free pile, including: a kayak, a toddler-sized baby grand piano, an old-school tamagotchi pencil case, an electric hedge trimmer and two "perfectly seasoned Lodge cast iron pans."