Portland, Oregon, teenager begins recycling service

KGW, Portland, Oregon, reports that a local teenager, James Harris, is providing recycling services to residents of southwest Portland.

James’ Neighborhood Recycling Service provides curbside recycling Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings for items not normally accepted by the city’s curbside recycling services, including plastic bags, batteries and electronics, the article says. 

Harris, who is on the autism spectrum, earns $600 per month for this service. He is assisted by his mother, Kathi Goldman. 

“If I wanted him to be self-sufficient, I really didn’t see an opportunity for him to be able to do that with what’s out there,” Goldman says in the article. “He’s doing something I never thought he would do. He’s excited about it. It’s growing. He’s learning in so many different ways. It’s great!”