Parkrose ‘Can Clan’ ready to receive recyclables on Sept. 11

Find out how you, too, can help the “Can Man” assist Parkrose schools, and students …

The Parkrose High School Advanced Study Class helps out “Can Man Dave” Luce at a summertime recycling event.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Dave Luce, known in outer East Portland as “The Can Man”, did some figuring when we last met, during a summer can recycling drive.

“The deposit on a can or bottle might not seem like much.” Luce told us. “But, over the last four years, our monthly bottle-and-can-drive has netted about $60,000 for the Parkrose High School Bronco Boosters and Senior All-night Party programs.”

We did the math – it means that Luce and his participating volunteers have taken in and processed about 1.2 million return-deposit cans and bottles. “And, that’s not counting the non-refundables we sort out.”

In addition to the returnables collected at the monthly drives, Luce has placed collection barrels that he services at more than 100 companies and organizations which also contribute to the effort.

At the previous collection drive, Luce was assisted by AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) students. “It’s a college-prep program,” observed their teacher, Nerissa Ediza. “We get a portion of the money from today’s effort. We are raising money for our field trips, and so we can go visit college campuses.”

Luce said he keeps his records starting in June of each year. “We’re hoping folks saved up their cans and bottles over the summer, especially from the holiday events – to bring in, on September 11.”

-2 Can drive organizer, Dave Luce, checks his figures as he tallies the day’s collections.

Drive delayed by holiday
Usually, the can drive is held on the first Saturday of the month. “But, since it was a holiday weekend, we postponed it to the following Saturday, September 11.”

It’s right across the street from the Parkrose Farmer’s Market, open 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Parkrose Middle School, on NE Shaver Street – a block west of NE 122^nd Avenue. Call Dave Luce to have large loads picked up, or answer questions: (503) 255-3745.

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