Appliances
Goodwill, http://www.goodwill.org/
Accepts only working appliances.
1-800-GOT JUNK? http://www.1800gotjunk.com/
Will pick up old furniture, appliances, yard waste, electronics and construction debris. Recycles items that can be recycled.
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Batteries
Batteries Plus, http://www.batteriesplus.com/
Across the country, Batteries Plus stores accept all batteries for recycling.
Battery Solutions, Inc., http://www.batteryrecycling.com/
Accepts batteries from around the country. There is a small cost of .85 cents a pound to recycle your batteries which goes to support the program.
Rechargeable Recycling Battery Corporation, http://www.rbrc.org/
The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) can help you recycle your portable rechargeable batteries. These batteries are commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras. They have drop off locations nationwide at Home Depot, Sears, Target and Staples. See their website for specific locations.
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Books
Blue Rectangle, www.bluerectangle.com/buyback
Will buy used books and textbooks. Go to their website and log in the ISBN number to see if it is a book they will take. If so, they pay for shipping with our their postage-paid mailing label.
Books for Africa, http://www.booksforafrica.org/
This organization ships college text books, children's books, science and math books, dictionaries to African schools. Books must be in excellent to good condition. See website for more complete donation guidelines and shipping address.
Literacy Link, www.gilarangers.com/leamos
This is a volunteer tutoring program operating in a small, rural community in Southwest New Mexico. They tutor adults and children, to those who are learning English as second language or cannot afford to buy books for themselves. They can use books for teens and adults primarily for their ESL Program. Donations can be sent via mail to their offices directly.
Recycle Books, http://www.recyclebooks.org/
They offer an outlet to donate new and used, unwanted books, DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes, textbooks, and software. They reuse most of the books donated. Books of value are sold to raise money for their organization, some are donated to other good causes and those books that cannot be placed are recycled for paper content. Local pickup available in the Denver area or you can send books to them from other national U.S. cities
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Cell Phones
CITA, http://www.recyclewirelessphones.com/
CITA is a wireless foundation committed to minimize the environmental impact of discarded cell phones. They have an extensive site of locations across the country to donate/recycle your old cell phone.
Call to Protect, http://www.wirelessfoundation.org/
They refurbish phones and donate them to domestic violence victims and professionals
Collective Good, www.collectivegood.com/donate_phone.htm
Recycles and donates used mobile phones. Has over 50 different charities that you can directly donate your phone to just be downloading the form.
Verizon Wireless, http://www.verizon.com/
Will accept used cellular phones and will donate them to charity.
Wireless Recycling, http://www.wirelessrecycling.com/
A separate site sponsored by Recellular, Inc. a company that refurbishes used cell phones. They donate phones to major non-profit organizations around the world. See site for specific drop off locations in your area.
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Carpets
Carpet Recovery America Effort, http://www.carpetrecovery.org/
Offers locations and sites across the U.S. that will recycle carpet.
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Cars/Autos
Cars for Charity, http://www.carsforcharity.net/
A local Colorado non-profit organization that accepts cars for use with other non-profit organizations.
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Clothing
Local Thrift Stores (see under Thrift Stores in your local directory)
American Friends Service Committee, www.afsc.org/emap/clothing-donation.htm
Donates used clothing overseas to countries in need or disaster
Career Closet, http://www.careercloset.org/
Provides interview-appropriate clothing to disadvantaged women entering the workforce. Accepts business attire, shoes, jewelry, scarves and coats. Plus size clothing is needed. See website for locations to send or drop items off.
Dress for Success, http://www.dressforsuccess.org/
A nonprofit that helps outfit low-income women with apparel for job interviews. Available in 24 cities.
Fairy Godmothers Inc., http://www.fairygodmothersinc.com/
Gives formal gowns, long bridesmaid dresses, dresses, shoes, evening bags, jewelry to high school girls from low-income families for their proms. Dresses must be fashionable and in good condition. This organization distributes dresses in the East coast area. See website for delivery addresses.
Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, http://www.makingmemories.org/
The foundation sells used wedding dresses around the country to fulfill the wishes of terminally ill breast cancer patients. Accepts gowns, bridesmaids dresses, shoes, jewlry and other wedding accessories.
One Warm Coat, http://www.onewarmcoat.org/
Gives coats to needy individuals and has locations around the country. Go to website to find a location in your area.
Patagonia, www.patagonia.com/recycle
Through their ‘Common Threads Garment Recycling Program’, Patagonia will recycle customers worn out Capilene® Performance Baselayers, Patagonia fleece, Polartec® fleece from other manufacturers and Patagonia organic cotton T-shirts. Items can be dropped off at retail stores or sent to their Service Center in Reno, NV. See website for address.
Salvation Army, http://www.salvationarmy.org/
Will provide free pick up.
The Women's Alliance, http://www.thewomensalliance.org/
Has alliance organizations around the country that provide business-attire clothing to low income women. For drop off locations, visit http://www.thewomensalliance.org/members.htm
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Compost
Find a Composter, http://www.findacomposter.com/
Offers a searchable data base to locate a composting facility in your area nationwide.
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Computers
Computers for Community, massongoodwin@uswest.net
Collects computers and distributes them to people in the community, primarily schools. Can accept MAC computer.
Computers for Schools, http://www.computersforschools.org/
Sponsored by the Technology Training Foundation of America they offer a program to have good computers donated to schools. See their 'how to donate' page for specifics of computer configurations that they request.
Dell Computers, www.dell4me.com/recycling
Customers who use the service receive on line discounts good for future purchases.
Electronic Industries Alliance, http://www.eia.org/
Provides consumers with information on recycling and reuse opportunities for used electronics. Including state and local collection programs, charitable organizations and recyclers that accept used electronics.
Electronics Recycling Initiative, www.nrc-recycle.org/resources/electronics
This organization is sponsored by the EPA and the US Postal Service. They have an extensive list of computer recyclers in the country.
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Construction and Building Materials
Resource 2000, http://www.resource2k.org/
Accepts used and remaining construction materials.
C&A Floor coverings, http://www.powerbond.com/
Recycle old carpet and design it into new carpet. Deal with mainly corporate and business offices.
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Discs (Floppy and CD-ROM)
Green Disk, www.greendisk.com/services.html
Will accept all computer discs and CD ROMs. Does not pay for shipping and charges 10 cents per pound to recycle.
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Electronics
Toshiba, http://toshiba.eztradein.com/toshiba
The Toshiba Trade-In and Recycle Program provides you with a way to trade-in or recycle used, working technology products in exchange for a refund by mail.
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Eyeglasses
New Eyes for the Needy, http://www.neweyesfortheneedy.org/
Distributes glasses free worldwide. Accepts plastic and metal frames in any condition. Also accepts sunglasses and hearing aids.
Unite for Sight, www.uniteforsight.org/donate_eyeglasses.php
Your eyeglasses (reading and distance) as well as non-prescription sunglasses will be distributed to children and adults in Nigeria, Malawi, Benin, Ghana, Uganda, Somalia, Cameroon, Congo, Guinea, Kenya, Tanzania, India, and Thailand.
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Furniture & Housewares
Salvation Army, http://www.salvationarmy.org/
Will provide free pick up for most large furniture items. Advance notice must be given.
Human Services, http://www.humanservicesinc.org/
They offer programs to help families become self-sufficient. Will take donations of household furniture and almost anything else. They can arrange for pick up.
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Furs
The Humane Society of the U.S., www.husus.org/furdonation
Will accept real furs as donations. They send them to wildlife rehabilitators who use the furs to comfort the orphaned wild baby animals they find every year.
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Hangers
Local Dry Cleaners
Most local dry cleaners accept the wire hangers.
Thrift Shops
Accept plastic and or wood hangers.
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Light Bulbs and Lamps
Lamp Recycle, http://www.lamprecycle.org/
Provides a list of resources nationwide on where to recycle various types of light bulbs and lamps.
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Luggage / Suitcases
Suitcases for Kids, http://www.suitcasesforkids.org/
Donates suitcases to foster children who move from home to home. Suitcases are preferred but large duffel bags and backpacks are also accepted.
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Medical Supplies
AmeriCares, www.americares.org/main.asp
Sends medical supplies to countries all over the world.
Rainforest Health Project, http://www.rainforesthealth.org/
Sends medical supplies to Peru’s isolated Amazon villages.
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Outdoor Gear
Passages Northwest, www.passagesnw.org/MakeAGift_GG.htm
This organization inspires girls and young women of diverse backgrounds to discover leadership skills through outdoor exploration. Takes tents, sleeping bags, day packs and hiking boots for women or girls. Call 206-286-8601 to find out where to send items to.
Play it Again Sports, www.playitagainsports.com/donategear.aspx
Donate used sports gear at local retail store ‘Play it Again’. They donate to non-profit kids sports programs.
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PDAs/ Handheld Computers
Collective Good, http://www.collectivegood.com/
Recycles and donates pagers, palm pilots, blackberries and Windows CE/ Mobile devices. The electronic devises can be dropped off at the same locations as the mobile phone outlets.
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Peanuts and Packing Material
Plastic Loose Fill Council, http://www.loosefillpackaging.com/
Consumers can drop off their leftover plastic packing peanuts at Peanut Hotline collection sites. There are over 1,500 collection sites in the US. Go to the site to enter your state to find a location near you.
UPS Brown Stores, http://www.ups.com/
The UPS brown stores will accept clean bubble wrap and peanuts to reuse as packing materials.
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Printer, Toner & Ink Jet Cartridges
Recycle Free, http://www.recyclefree.com/
Recycles empty inkjet and laser cartridges for FREE. They will pay $1 for each returned cartridge. For envelopes go to your local CompUSA store.
Hard Copy Recycling, http://www.hardcopyrecycling.siteblast.com/
Recycles inkjet and laser cartridges
Hewlett-Packard’s Planet Partners Recycling Program, www.hp.com/ljsuplies/environment recycle.html
Xerox Corp., http://www.xerox.com/
Please select toner cartridge models to Xerox for free by way of UPS or US Postal Service. Check the website for specifics on how to do this.
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Shoes
Nike Reuse a Shoe, http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/
Recycles shoes to foreign countries. Worn out shoes are recycled into courts, tracks and playgrounds.
Soccer For Life, Inc. Special Project - Project Athletic Shoes For Youth Empowerment, www.satglobal.com/project_athletic_shoes_for_build.htm
Soccer For Life, Inc is a non-profit organization which collects sports gear, uniforms, soccer cleats, athletic shoes, and sneakers and distributes them in Honduras. 954-812-7431
Sole 4 Souls, http://www.soles4souls.org/
Soles4Souls facilitates the donations of shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Shoe companies, retailers, and individuals can donate footwear (both new and used). Soles4Souls is a 501(c)3 recognized by the IRS, and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.
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Sporting Goods
Skichair, http://www.skichair.com/
Based out of Massachusetts, they makes chairs and ottomans out of skis, snow boards, hockey sticks, baseball bats and golf clubs. Also sells do-it-yourself plans to create these items out of your own materials.
Green Mountain Ski Furniture, http://www.recycledskis.com/
Based out of Vermont, they also reuse old skis to custom build furniture or will resell old skis. They will pick up in the New England area only. They will accept shipments but will not pay the cost of shipping.
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Trophies & Old Plaques
Creative Images, www.gccreativeimages.com/donate%20trophie.html
Send your old trophies and plaques to Creative Images to be refurbished and donated to nonprofit organizations such as Special Olympics and School Children Groups that don't have the money to spend on new trophies.
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Video/Audio Cassettes
Eco-Media, http://www.ecomedia.net/, recycling@ecomedia.net
Will send UPS forms for free delivery for 50+ pounds of videos. Will accept VHS, Beta, Hi 8, and DV tapes.
Eco Disk, http://www.ecodisk.com/
Recycles all audio cassette tapes
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Additional Recycling Resources
1-800-GOT JUNK? http://www.1800gotjunk.com/
Will pick up old furniture, appliances, yard waste, electronics and construction debris. Recycles items that can be recycled.
Earth 911, http://www.earth911.org/
This site offers recycling information for almost anything. You can enter your zip code and it will list recycling facilities in your area.
Excess Access, http://www.excessaccess.com/
A San Francisco based non-profit that is affiliated with the project “A Matter of Trust” matches up donors of goods to area non-profits, schools, government organizations, etc., that have a designated wish list of items needed.
Freecycle, http://www.freecycle.org/
The Free cycle Network™ is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is run by a local volunteer moderator. See site for more details.
Raymond Communications, http://www.raymond.com/
An organization that tracks global and state wide legislation on recycling. It has newsletters of state recycling laws, electronic recycling and international recycling laws.
