For the past two years, Aelen Unan has been both homeless and a small-business owner. Her Ninawa Zero-Waste shop promotes sustainable fashion by turning unwanted clothing into upcycled dresses and tote bags – but it too is about to be homeless as her time at the Popportunity small-vendor market in Central Square runs out.

Recycling was on officials’ minds Monday, with what amounts to a $500,000 admission that the Department of Public Works has no place to relocate from its offices in The Port, which also needs a redesign for resident pickup. A surprisingly successful mattress recycling program will also rise in cost.