Chris Valencia

Dear OBRA Community,

I'm trying to help a friend get his bike helmet recycling project off
the ground. I suggested that the good folks in OBRA might have some
good ideas. Thanks in advance. Have happy holiday.

Chris

Here is his info:

I am developing and implementing a bicycle helmet recycling process
for the Portland area. I am currently working with Community Cycling
Center, Bicycle Transportation Alliance, PSU, and several different
recyclers (Total Reclaim, Far West Fibers). Additionally there has
been support from several bike shops, BikePortland.org (Jonathan
Maus), and others. I hope to launch the process in January or
February 2012 to an initial six bicycle shops. Many of the elements
are coming together, and some challenges remain. CCC has been
essential in making this happen, offering to serve as central storage
of helmets, and providing volunteers for the labor intensive
disassembly of the helmets before they can be recycled.

I am reaching out to OBRA for any ideas, suggestions, resources
(collection barrels), and feedback. I would like to know of future
helmet sources, as well as a simplified recycling path, that involves
less disassembly and fewer waste streams - particularly if there is a
recycler or processor who could handle whole helmets. And the more
enthusiasm and word-of-mouth support the better! Thanks for any help.
Please contact me directly, below.

Jason Jepsen

503-421-7714
jasonjepsen1@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/jasonjepsen