I moved to Portland for two reasons: 1) so I could commute by bike, and 2) so I could work with trash and recycling.  Imagine my joy last weekend when I met Graham Bergh, the founder and president of Resource Revival, Inc. -- a company that makes bottle openers, pictures frames, clocks, wine racks and signs out of old bike parts (mostly chains and cogs).  They give new meaning to re-cycling, and local bike shops are getting in on the action with your donated parts.

Here's the scoop.  Graham wrote his senior thesis on waste management in ski-resort communities (sounds like something I might try to pull...).  Anyways, while changing a flat tire in 1991 in Portland, he got the idea to make stuff out of old bike parts.  Back in the day, Graham would scrub the grease off of old chains using a toothbrush, and then turn the material into bracelets and bottle openers.  These days his operation is a bit more slick -- he has machines that do the scrubbing and tumbling -- but the product is still sweet.  Unbeknownst to me, I received a Resource Revival bottle opener as a birthday present a couple of years ago -- very much a prized possession in my kitchen.  <Insert story: So I recognized the bike chain right away.  "Oooo, cool!"  Then, I am slightly ashamed to admit, it wasn't until a few drinks in that I said, "Wait a second, the opener part is a bike part, too!"  Says the bike commuter.>

Anyhoo, I checked out the Resource Revival website (a nice site, by the way) and thought the picture frames looked gorgeous.  Most of the items are a little out of my price range, but all of the products are very solid, hip, bike-y, and functional.  Finally, I was just visiting a certain media group that publishes this blog (ahem, Celilo Group Media) and saw that their metal sign was framed by bike chains -- yep, a Resource Revival special.   

While Resource Revival used to be based in Portland, they now operate out of Mosier (near Hood River).  Individuals wanting to recycle their bike parts (bike chains, freewheels, and cogs) can take them in to participating bike shops, listed here: https://www.resourcerevival.com/shops/list


Rebicyclers who are also Chinook Book couponers:

Community Cycling Center: Save 20% on two bike commuting accessories

River City Bicycles: Save 10% off all regular price clothing, parts and accessories

Hutch's (Eugene): Save 10% off any bike parts, accessories or clothing OR receive 5% off a new bike

Bike Gallery: Receive $5 off $20 OR $5 off your next tune up