Solid Waste in New England

Reuse in New England: Donation Programs - Consumer Goods
July 2010

Disclaimer:
Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute endorsement, recommendation, or verification by the United States Government. The views and opinions expressed herein or represented by the listed organizations or entities do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement.

Many consumer goods, ranging from cars, bikes, furniture, clothing, etc., have outlets for reuse. These can include libraries, school and church rummage sales, and other local charities.

If you have questions or suggestions for additions/corrections to this list, contact:

Christine Beling (beling.christine@epa.gov)
EPA New England (SPP)
1 Congress Street, Suite 1100
Boston, MA 02114-2023
Phone: 617-918-1792

If you'd like to submit or amend a listing for the Reuse Guide click here.

This page provides links to non-EPA web sites that provide additional information about Reuse. You will leave the EPA.gov domain and enter another page with more information. EPA cannot attest to the accuracy of information on that non-EPA page. Providing links to a non-EPA Web site is not an endorsement of the other site or the information it contains by EPA or any of its employees. Also, be aware that the privacy protection provided on the EPA.gov domain (see Privacy and Security Notice) may not be available at the external link.

Regional/New England

Gifts In-Kind America
Address: 700 N. Fairfax St., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22314
Phone: 703-836-2121
Description: Gifts In-Kind America operates a program that matches donations from companies with a network of 50,000 non-profit organizations. As many as 500 companies make donations of used office equipment, supplies, clothing, and other products. GIKA will assist large companies in developing a strategy for dealing with items that are no longer needed by the company.

Goodwill National Locator Directory
Description: For those with web access, follow the instructions on the website to locate the closest GoodWill donation depot . For those without access, call regional headquarters at the following numbers:

Institution Recycling Network
Address: 7 South State Street, Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 866-229-1962
Email: mail@ir-network.com
Description: The Institution Recycling Network is a for-profit organization that offers an array of recycling opportunities. The Institution recycles everything from construction/demolition debris, paper supplies, electronics and more. The IRN will arrange to pick up all donated materials.

Planet Aid
Address: One Cross St., Holliston, MA 01746
Phone: 508-893-0644
Email: info@planetaid.org
Description: This organization has over 1,000 clothing drop off collection boxes in Eastern Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island and Connecticut where local residents can donate clothes 24 hours a day.

Plastic Loose-Fill Producers Council's "Peanut Hotline"
Address: PO Box 21040, Oakland, CA 94620
Phone: 800-828-2214
Description: This hotline provides information about the closest drop-off location where peanuts can be reused.

Rechargable Battery Recycling Corporation
Phone: 678-419-9990
Email: recycling@rbrc.com
Description: Charge up to Recycle! is a program to keep rechargable nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad) batteries out of the solid waste stream and prevent toxins from ending up in municipal landfills and incinerators.

Salvation Army: USA East Locator Directory
Address: 440 W. Nyack Rd., W. Nyack, NY 10994-1739
Phone: 914-620-7200
Description: This resource is an online directory for the Salvation Army. Follow the directions on this website to select state listings. For those without access to the web, call the number above.

Tyvek Envelope Recycling
Address: Terry Fife, Tyvek Recycling Specialist, 5401 Jefferson Davis Highway, Spot 197 - Room 231, Richmond, VA 23234
Phone: 866-33-Tyvek
Description: Tyvek® envelopes made from 100% high-density polyethylene, (HDPE), are highly recyclable into every day products such as park benches, plastic lumber, children's toys. Find out how to recycle all of your used Tyvek® envelopes, through DuPont's Tyvek® recycling program.

Massachusetts

Bikes Not Bombs
Address: 59 Amory St., #103, Roxbury, MA 02119
Phone: 617-442-0004
Contact: Synthia Mitchell
Email: mail@bikesnotbombs.org
Description: BNB salvages used bicycles. The organization also runs a Bicycle Recycling and Youth Training Center in Roxbury's Egleston-Jackson neighborhood. Through the Earn-A-Bike program, young participants learn safe riding, bike repair, and urban environmentalism while repairing a bicycle they get to keep at the programs' end.

Got Books Inc.
Address: 35 Concord Street, North Reading, MA 01864
Phone: 978-664-6555
Description: Got Books is dedicated to book reuse and keeping books out of the trash. Got Books raises money for local charities and nonprofit groups by hosting weekly Charity Book Sales at their warehouse in North Reading, MA. Book donations are collected through books deposited at one of their 200 plus book-donation bins placed throughout New England.

Can't make it to the donation container? Got Books offers a complimentary pick-up service throughout MA and Southern NH. For more information about Got Books and fundraising opportunities visit www.GotBooks.com or call 978-664-6555.

Greater Springfield HELP
Address: 718 State St., Springfield, MA 01109
Phone: 413-263-6500
Contact: Synthia Mitchell
Description: GS Help collects and redistributes used furniture to non-profits and low-income residents of the Greater Springfield area.

Hands Across the Water/Reading Tree
Address: Director, 7 Rodgers Road Stoneham, MA 02180-3045
Phone: 781-438-4051
Contact: Jane Miller Webber
E-mail: literacyforall@yahoo.com
Description: Hands Across the Water (HATW) is a nonprofit organization based in Massachusetts. They promote local conservation and reuse of books in addition to international literacy and education. HATW is growing nationwide and has collection centers in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Georgia, and Washington state

Household Goods Recycling Ministry, Inc.
Address: 530 Main Street, Acton, MA 01720
Phone: 978-635-1763
Email: hgrm@hgrm.org
Description: The Household Goods Recycling Ministry (HGRM) is a not-for-profit agency that collects, stores and distributes household goods in the greater Acton, MA area. We accept donations from all sources and distribute those goods to families in need.

Leeward Industries, Inc.
Address: 126 Bridge Rd, Salisbury, MA 01952
Phone: 978-465-1141
Contact: Robert Werner
Email: info@leewardindustries.org
Description: Leeward Industries, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation collecting and recycling used clothes and household
goods from individual donors, estates, and businesses. The proceeds from business operations are contributed to charities such as food pantries and home heating assistance programs in the local communities.

Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless
Address: 15 Bubier Street, Lynn MA 01901
Phone: 781-595-7570
Contact: Bill Homan
Description: The MCH collects furniture. Their primary interest includes sofas, sofa beds, coffee/end tables, dining room/kitchen sets, dressers, and nightstands. Furniture must be in usable condition "as is." The MCH accepts smaller household items (i.e. appliances, electronics) and linens, if a major piece of furniture is donated. Federally approved highchairs, cribs, playpens, and strollers are also accepted. Call the number above for more information.

New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans
Address: 17 Court St., Boston
Phone: 617-248-9400
Email: info@neshv.org
Description: This organization accepts clothing donations. Call the above number for collection information.

Pine St. Inn
Address: 444 Harrison Ave., Boston
Phone: 617-983-5686
Email: info@pinestreetinn.org
Description: This organization serves as a homeless shelter. It accepts clothing donations, and some food donations may also be acceptable. Call for collection information.

Spare Change: Massachusetts Journal of the Streets
Address: Old Cambridge Baptist Church, 1151 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-497-1595 / 1064
Description: Spare Change is a publication for and by the homeless community of Boston, sponsored by the Homeless Empowerment Project (HEP). Sold in the Boston area for $1.00 weekly, the Helping Hands column lists charities/help groups/agencies that come to the aid of the homeless and economically challenged. The organizations listed accept items for reuse, including food, clothing, toys, furniture, and appliances.

St. Vincent de Paul Society
Address: 1280 Washington St., Boston, MA
Toll Free Number: 1-800-820-7837
Email: exdir@svdpboston.com
Description: This organization collects clothing for the economically disadvantaged. Certain types of furniture donations may also be acceptable.

New Hampshire

Rhode Island

Bristol Good Neighbors
Address: 378 Hope Street, PO Box 223, Bristol, RI 02890
Phone: 401-254-0726
Contact: Ann Wiard, Executive Director
E-mail: contact@bristolgoodneighbors.org
Description: Bristol Good Neighbors Soup Kitchen & Food Pantry is a 21 year old non-profit agency. In 2011, we have served 13,673 meals and distributed 2321 bags of food to needy families. We also provide clothing and assorted toiletries to men and women, bus passes, laundry services, and special holiday bags of food at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Rhode Island Donation Exchange Program
Address: 20 River Ave., Providence, RI 02908
Phone: 401-831-5511
Description: This organization solicits manufacturers and homeowners for furniture, clothing, and building materials. It warehouses and redistributes donations to needy R.I. individuals or families. Some household goods are sold through a thrift store.

Vermont

Recycle North
Address: PO Box 158, Burlington, VT 05402
Phone: 802-658-4143
Contact: Tom Longstreth
Description: RN accepts donations of goods from businesses/individuals, repairs, and redistributes them for resale. Acceptable materials include household items such as furnishings and appliances.