the Organizing-Guru
The Ultimate in Home Organization
Where we believe everything has its place - it just takes an expert to find it!
Where to Bring Your In-Kind Donations
When you are weeding through your belongings,
please keep in mind CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS that accept IN-KIND DONATIONS.
If possible, choose a charitable organization over a for-profit organization.
Feel free to contact the Organizing-Guru with information regarding organizations that accept additional in-kind donations so we can add it to our list.
Think outside of the box: It may be a hassle to donate/recyle your 1 used cell phone, so consider coordinating with your local library or school to set up a collection drive and donate 100!
*although most of the companies listed below are charitable organizations,
some are for-profit; we list these because of the services they provide.
The Organizing-Guru has no affiliation with any of these organizations,
either personally or professionally.
**DISCLAIMER: I volunteer at Falmouth's HAND in HAND THRIFT SHOP, a non-profit that benefits the Falmouth Service Center. Hand in Hand accepts all sorts of donations, and shopping there is both practical for you and helpful to the larger community. If you are in the area, please check it out!
IMPORTANT:
As of November 1, 2022, Massachusetts residents and businesses can no longer throw clothing and textiles in the trash. For more information go to “MassDEP Textiles Waste Ban.” This means that residents will need to bag up their unwanted clothing, towels and sheets and bring them to a textile drop off site or have them collected curbside. Companies such as BayState Textiles collect unwanted textiles through drop boxes; they also contract with other organizations to buy their unwanted textiles, such as Falmouth's HAND in HAND THRIFT SHOP, a non-profit that gets paid by the pound. So please don't stuff those textiles into your trash bags.... recycle them instead!
APPLIANCES
If in good, working condition, advertise them for sale in your local paper's classified ads, or consider donating them to charity. Boston Building Materials Resource Center, Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army accept some appliances. Big Brother Big Sister accepts small appliances. BestBuy has an inclusive appliance recycling program.
BABY EQUIPMENT
Only donate safe baby equipment. Many shelters are happy to accept baby equipment that meets safety standards. Car seats; cribs; toddler beds; baby swings; strollers. Consider passing yours onto a needy parent. Goodwill and the Salvation Army accept these types of goods. Check with your local homeless or battered women's shelter too.
BATTERIES
Getting rid of all those portable rechargeable batteries? Several retail stores now take used rechargeable batteries. Browse call2recycle for a drop-off location near you. Staples recycles electronic batteries, as well as other electronics and related accessories. Your county will likely have one or more annual Hazardous Waste Days - keep a box in your house to hold onto all those aerosol cans, paint tins, used batteries, etc. until you can dispose of them safely.
BICYCLES
Several Boston-area companies accept bicycle donations, including the Roxbury non-profit organization Bikes Not Bombs, and Pedals For Progress. Goodwill and Falmouth's Hand in Hand Thrift Shop also accept bikes in good condition. Certain other organizations may also be looking for bikes at particular times.
BOOKS, TAPES, CDs, VIDEOs, DVDs
Your local public or school library will probably be happy to take these donations, if in good condition. (Home-burned/recorded material will not be accepted because of copyright issues). Text books, especially older editions, are not usually accepted either; consider them for the paper recycle box, as well as tattered books. Organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, The Epilepsy Foundation, Big Brother Big Sister, Falmouth's Hand in Hand Thrift Shop, and the Salvation Army accept certain kinds of books and/or DVDs as well. Rosie's Place accepts some books, but please check their website as their needs change frequently. And keep in mind places like the pediatrician's office, the dentist's office, and your local churches, schools and libraries.
BUILDING MATERIALS
Reusable building materials are accepted by Boston Building Materials Resource Center located in Roxbury. Habitat for Humanity accepts building materials - and volunteers, too! Also remember your local theater companies. Building sets takes materials. Recycling Works is a good site regarding donating building materials, and also a wonderful resource for finding other organizations that accept building materials.
CATALOGUES, MAGAZINES, & JUNK MAIL
If you want to keep receiving these, fine ... just drop off your used magazines at a doctor's office, school, or daycare (depending on the genre). Remember to remove your mailing label to ensure your privacy!
But ... if you don't want to receive these paper missives, CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION. For unsolicited catalogues and flyers, most retailers have websites where you can find a customer service email address/contact form and simply request the removal of your name/address from their mailing list. And, by all means, STOP THAT JUNK MAIL! Check out the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Information to remove your name from junk mail lists and telephone marketers.
CDs & DVDs (BULK)
Home-made and can't donate? Please don't just thrown them in your regular recycling bin. CDs and DVDs are made from a different kind of plastic. Check out GreenDisk for those bulk disposals; consider a neighborhood or school drive to collect in bulk.
CELL PHONES
Chucking your phone? Check out Medic Mobile (they also accept tablets). Your local school may collect phones to recycle ... donate there and finance your children's education. Many companies have charitable recycling programs, such as EcoATM, EcoCELL, BestBuy, and probably your own wireless company. Browse call2recycle for information on recycling cell phones and all types of batteries. Apple also offers a recycling program for iPads, iPods, iPhones, etc. How about donating your gently-used cell phones or tablets to Cell Phones for Soldiers? Try GreenDisk as well. Another great site with some fun ideas on what to do with your old phone is CellPhoneDeal. Staples recycles cell phones and related accessories too. You can use your out-of-date smartphone for other purposes, such as those listed here. Please don't just toss your old phone in the trash. That cell phone battery contains a valuable NON-RENEWABLE mineral resource and MUST be recycled!
CLOTHING, SHOES & ACCESSORIES
There are convenient drop boxes all over Massachusetts that accept clean, usable clothing and shoes, including St. Vincent de Paul, Goodwill, Big Brother Big Sister, and the Salvation Army. Many companies will also pick up items from your home. Rosie's Place (please check their website as their needs change frequently), Planet Aid, the New England Center and Home for Veterans, the Epilepsy Foundation, Falmouth's Hand in Hand Thrift Shop, among many others, also accept clothing. Consider your local Theater Group to donate out-of-style or unusual clothing and accessories. However, if it's not something you would want your own niece / nephew to wear, please consider it for your rag bag instead! And remember to check if the donation bin/drop you choose is for a charitable or for-profit cause. Please remember that it is illegal in Massachusetts to throw textiles in the trash, so please recycle those rags with companies such as BayState Textiles (or non-profits they contract with).
Have you retired from that high-tech job? Moved on to a less formal career? If you have good-quality business clothing that you no longer need, consider donating it to needy women and men who are trying to break their way into the business scene. Dressing appropriately for an important interview can pave the way for a path out of poverty. Groups such as Tailored for Success accept donations of business clothing and accessories. And check out Second Chances in Somerville for donation opportunities. Many charitable organizations have special drives to collect cold-weather items; phone your local place of worship for information. Out-of-style clothing or costumes, in good, clean condition, consider donating to your local school drama club or theatre group.
COMPOSTING FOOD & YARD WASTE
What's NOT to love about composting? Garden fertilizer made out of your own food and yard waste! Do a little research and you'll be surprised at how easy composting can be! There are many many composting resources out there - just search the web with keywords such as 'compost yard garden container city'. Live in an apartment and not sure how you can manage your compost? Check out The Basic Guide to Composting at Your Apartment. Concerned you don't have enough compost to bother with? Go in with your neighbors and contract with a service company to handle the composting for you!
COMPUTER EQUIPMENT & ELECTRONICS
BestBuy has an inclusive electronics and appliance recycling program. A Boston-based site for many recycled electronics is Gazelle.com. Used printer cartridges? Many schools collect these and use the funds to help educate your children - call up your local school today. Also, Staples is an excellent drop-off location for printer cartridges [and used printers!] of any kind, and you receive Staples’ coupons to be used on future purchase; they also accept all sorts of electronics and wires for recycling. Apple offers a recycling program for iPads, iPods, iPhones, etc. Another place for your techno-trash is GreenDisk. Some non-profit organizations, such as Falmouth's Hand in Hand Thrift Shop, will collect your old wires/electronics and separate them to sell in bulk, saving them from the landfill AND raising money for charity.
FURNITURE
Furniture in good repair is always in demand, although arranging pickup can sometimes take a little planning. Household Goods Recycling Ministry, the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, and Goodwill are usually on the lookout for many types of furniture in good condition. Falmouth's Hand in Hand Thrift Shop accepts small furniture items for resale. Boston Building Materials Resource Center and Boston ReStore (Habitat for Humanity) are great sites for furniture donations as well.
HANGERS
Local dry cleaners may accept these. It also wouldn't hurt to check with your school's art teacher about upcoming projects requiring metal hangers. And those metal hangers are, indeed, metal, so can be recycled with other metal items.
JEWELRY (Fine and Costume)
If you don't wear it, don't keep it! You can sell precious metals and jewels by the pound at most jewelers and collectors. Falmouth's Hand in Hand Thrift Shop accepts any kind of jewelry to resell in support of the local Service Center. Local theater groups may also be looking for unusual costume jewelry.
KITCHEN SUPPLIES
That set of dishes that you never use? Consider donating it. Household Goods Recycling Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brother Big Sister, Goodwill, the Epilepsy Foundation, Falmouth's Hand in Hand Thrift Shop, and the Salvation Army accept many types of kitchen items in good condition.
LINENS & BEDDING
Again, if it's not something you would want your own relative to sleep on / eat off / bathe with, please consider it for your rag bag! Old sheets make fantastic painting drop cloths; ripped towels are great dusting or car-polishing rags. Many shelters would be happy to receive clean linens and bedding. Consider Household Goods Recycling Ministry, Big Brother Big Sister, Goodwill, Rosie's Place (please check their website as their needs change frequently), Falmouth's Hand in Hand Thrift Shop, or the Salvation Army for your bedding donation. And for those towels beyond repair, consider your local animal shelter! Abandoned pets still need to be bathed. Please remember that it is illegal in Massachusetts to throw textiles in the trash, so please recycle those rags with companies such as BayState Textiles (or non-profits they contract with).
MATTRESSES
Clean, stain-free, and odor-free is a MUST. Consider Household Goods Recycling Ministry.
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
Furniture such as walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, and commodes can be passed onto another person in need. Advertise them for free on Facebook Marketplace or your local Nextdoor Neighbor site.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
So you haven't played that trumpet since high school, but it still looks good. Consider passing it on to a needy student or music department at your local school. Smaller instruments might be coveted by a children’s hospital. The Salvation Army and Big Brother Big Sister also accept some instruments.
PET SUPPLIES
No longer have a pet, but you're hanging onto the equipment? Check out your local animal shelter. Cat carriers and dog blankets (discarded towels and quilts) are always in need. If you're making a trip to an animal shelter, bring along all your old towels to leave at the shelter! The Salvation Army, Goodwill and Falmouth's Hand in Hand Thrift Shop will also accept these kinds of donations.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Don't leave old medication lying around for a child to find! Don't flush old medication down the toilet unless explicitly instructed! Pharmaceutical waste is dangerous! Please read this article from the FDA for information on the disposal of unused medication. Our local CVS has a drop box inside by the prescription counter for disposing of unused medications.
PRESCRIPTION GLASSES
Your local Lions Club accepts glasses donations - look for a drop box at your library, grocery store, or other public building. The Salvation Army and Falmouth's Hand in Hand Thrift Shop also collect eye glasses. Green Rabbit has an excellent article on recycling eye glasses.
RUGS & CURTAINS
Again, the keyword is CLEAN. Household Goods Recycling Ministry takes in these items, if not faded and without obvious stains. Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and Big Brother Big Sister also accept draperies and curtains. Please remember that it is illegal in Massachusetts to throw textiles in the trash, so please recycle those rags with companies such as BayState Textiles (or non-profits they contract with).
SEWING MACHINES & SUPPLIES
Pedals for Progress takes in sewing machines, refurbishing them for use in under-developed countries. Big Brother Big Sister accepts sewing supplies. Do you have a button collection you no longer need? Consider passing it onto schools or programs for students with special needs. Buttons offer many sorting opportunities, which promotes learning.
SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Consider posting a bulletin at your local skating arena, soccer field, or baseball diamond for those too-small skates, out-grown cleats, or used-just-once catcher's mask. Some sports supply stores, such as Play It Again Sports also buy and sell used equipment. The Salvation Army, Big Brother Big Sister, Goodwill, and Falmouth's Hand in Hand Thrift Shop accept some sporting goods.
TOOLS
The Salvation Army and Goodwill accept some tools; as does Habitat for Humanity. Consider putting together a small toolbox of extra items for that niece or nephew heading off to college.
TOYS & GAMES
The Salvation Army, the Epilepsy Foundation, Goodwill, and Falmouth's Hand in Hand Thrift Shop accept toys and games. Big Brother Big Sister accepts SMALL toys. Puzzles (with all the pieces!) are a great item to drop off at your local senior center.
VEHICLES
Instead of trading in your old vehicle, consider the tax write-off advantage of donating it to charity. Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul, and the Salvation Army accept used vehicles.