Solid Waste in New England
Reuse in New England: Materials
Exchanges
July 2010
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.
Materials exchanges help to connect those with unwanted materials to those looking for the same type of material. Most exchanges provide newsletters, catalogs, or on-line listings of "materials available" or "materials wanted". For the most part, exchanges do not directly handle the material, but serve as a contact point or broker. The fee structure for each exchange varies from no fee, a voluntary donation, or a percentage of the net value of the material. Material exchanges promote reuse and help keep materials out of the solid waste stream. We also encourage you to look into local and community organizations that may offer material exchanges.
If you have questions or suggestions for additions/corrections to this list, contact:
Christine Beling (beling.christine@epa.gov)
EPA New England (SPP)
5 Post Office Square, Suite 100
Mail Code: OES04-1
Boston, MA 02109-3912
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 Materials Exchanges
Craig's List
Address: P.O. Box 225159, San Francisco, CA 94122-5159
Description: Craig's List is a giant Internet bulletin board where people
buy and sell their stuff. Listings are free and serve all of New England.
Freecycle
Address: P.O. Box 294, Tucson, AZ 85702
Email: info@freecycle.org
Description: This website allows people across the country and
internationally to exchange used items. Users can also specify
that they want their items to go to a nonprofit cause. Everything
posted must be free, legal, and appropriate for all ages.
Uncle Henry's Swap it or Sell it Guide
Description: Uncle Henry's is a free weekly classified ad publication with a print version that is distributed all over New England. An Internet bulletin board is also available where people can buy and sell things. Listings are free and serve all of New England, with an emphasis on Maine.
Maine
Maine
Materials Exchange
Address: 93 Marquiot Dr., Freeport, ME 04032
Phone: 207-865-6621
Contact: Harold Arndt (h.arndt@m2x.com)
Description: This organization runs an on-line listing of materials
at their web site (reflected in the warehouse inventory when
appropriate!) NOT ALL Products are accepted into the warehouse!
Listings are free; service/processing fees may be charged for
successful exchanges. Acceptable materials include industrial
bi-products, equipment and machinery, chemicals (listing only!),
appliances, construction materials, electronics,
leather, medical and office supplies/equipment, and paper/cardboard.
Massachusetts
City of Newton Reusable Materials Exchange
The City of Newton Reusable Materials Exchange is a web service which provides residents with a convenient way to sell, trade or give away used or surplus items that would otherwise be disposed of. You can post listings of items and materials you wish to dispose of or browse for those currently available in your area. Each listing contains a description of the material or item, contact information, and in some cases cost and delivery information. The actual exchange transactions are carried out directly between the interested parties.
Mass Material Trader Web
Address: 1 Winter St., 6th floor, Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-348-4076
Contact: Brian LaValle (brian.lavalle@state.ma.us)
Description: The Mass Material Trader is intended to help businesses in Massachusetts find, sell, trade, or give away useful used or surplus materials that would otherwise be disposed of.
New Hampshire
Donation Networks
Address: 221 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH 03104
Phone: 603-624-6102 (Manchester) or 603-886-7147 (Nashua)
Description: Donation Networks (A division of MaxImpact Institute) is
a non-profit organization serving schools and non-profit organizations
across New England and beyond. They accept used computer equipment,
office equipment and supplies, supplies for arts and crafts, and
other products for distribution to non-profit organizations and
schools within New England through two warehouse locations in Nashua
and Manchester.
Rhode Island
The Free Market
Address: RIRRC, 65 Shun Pike, Johnston, RI 02919
Phone: 401-942-1430
Email: info@freemarketri.org
Description: There are two Materials Exchanges for Rhode Island: the Free Xchange is a listing service for residents who want to give or get free reusable goods for the home, garage and garden; the Resource Xchange (listed below) is geared for local businesses.
ResourceXchange
Address: RIRRC, 65 Shun Pike, Johnston, RI 02919
Phone: 401-942-1430 x115
Contact: Paul Caccia (PaulC@rirrc.org)
Email: info@resourcexchange.org
Description: The
ResourceXchange
is a free, online service provided by the
Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation. It was designed to
create a link between businesses that have a surplus of waste materials,
and other businesses that may have a use for them. Listings are
free and there are no finder's or subscription fees.
Vermont
Vermont Business Materials Exchange (VBMeX)
Address: c/o Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. (NERC), 139 Main Street, Suite 401, Brattleboro, VT 05301
Phone: 802-254-3636
Fax: 802-254-5870
Contact: Mary Ann Remolador (maryann@nerc.org), VBMX Administrator
Description: Online listings of materials previously used by businesses, non-profits, and municipalities.