Recycling & Donation Resources
The following nation-wide resources are provided to assist
companies and families to recycle and donate unwanted goods.
Over 99% of the things we purchase becomes trash within 6 months!
Please click on the category of item to find specific resources.
Please contact the organization directly for more detailed
information. If you do not see your category item mentioned,
click on ‘Additional Resources’ for a listing of
general recycling organizations that can offer more information.
Thank you for diverting your trash from the landfill!
Category Quickjumps:
Appliances
Goodwill, www.goodwill.org
Accepts only working appliances.
1-800-GOT JUNK? 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, www.batteriesplus.com
Across the country, Batteries Plus stores accept all batteries
for recycling.
Battery Solutions, Inc., 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, 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.
Western Disposal, www.westerndisposal.com
Western Disposal, located in Boulder, CO, will accept all
household batteries from local Boulder County residents.
Batteries must be dropped off at their facility located
at 5880 Butte Mill Road, Boulder.
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Bikes
Community Cycles, www.communitycycles.org
A Boulder, Colorado based program that refurbishes and
recycles bikes for return back into the community.
Working Bikes Cooperative, www.workingbikes.org
An organization that collects used and old bikes and ships
them to developing countries in South America and Africa.
Drop off centers located throughout the IL state area.
For shipping information please go to the website.
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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, 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, 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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Carpets
Carpet Recovery America Effort, www.carpetrecovery.org
Offers locations and sites across the U.S. that will recycle
carpet.
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Cars/Autos
Cars for Charity, www.CarsForCharity.net
A local Colorado non-profit organization that accepts cars
for use with other non-profit organizations.
Vehicles for Charity, www.vehiclesforcharity.org
A local Colorado organization that will pick up old cars,
auction them off and give the money to various local
environmental non-profits in Colorado.
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Cell Phones
Altrusa International, 303.756.6158 (Marilyn Baker
), www.donateaphone.com
Local Colorado organization that accepts used mobile phones
and donates them to the Donate a Phone campaign.
CITA, 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, 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, www.verizon.com
Will accept used cellular phones and will donate them to
charity.
Wireless Recycling, 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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Children / Kids
Parenting Place, www.boulderparenting.org
A non-profit based in Boulder that supports and educates local
families about parenting. They accept donations of all
children and baby items including clothing, toys, books,
art supplies and diapers.
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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, 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, www.dressforsuccess.org
A nonprofit that helps outfit low-income women with apparel
for job interviews. Available in 24 cities.
Fairy Godmothers Inc., 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, 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, 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, www.salvationarmy.org
Will provide free pick up.
The Women's Alliance, 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, www.findacomposter.com
Offers a searchable data base to locate a composting facility
in your area nationwide.
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Computers
/ Electronics
Beyond the Pod, www.beyondthepod.com
They specialize in consumer electronics trade-in services.
They pay the consumer for discarded, broken or un-wanted
electronics. The consumer only pays for shipping. Available
to U.S. based consumers.
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, 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.
Eco Cycle, www.ecocycle.org
Eco cycle is based in Boulder and computer equipment can
be dropped off at their ‘hard to recycle’ location.
Electronic Industries Alliance, 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.
Executive Recycle, www.executiverecycle.com
A Colorado based electronic recycling company that recycles
most electronic equipment including computers, monitors,
printers, cell phones, copiers, typewriters, radio’s,
routers, telephone’s and even automotive electronics.
Free pick up is available. Telephone: 303.791.0808.
Guaranteed Recycling Xperts (GRX), www.grxrecycles.com
GRX, located in Denver, Colorado, is a computer and electronics
recycling company in the Rocky Mountain region that offers
drop-off and pick-up service. GRX is a genuine recycler
(NO landfilling, NO incineration, and NO exporting to
third world countries) that guarantees data destruction.
My Boneyard, www.myboneyard.com
Offers free computer and electronics recycling across the
country and even pays for shipping. They also provide
a reward system for the more your recycle with their
company. Go to their website to complete their online
form and then they will email you a pre-paid shipping
label.
Technology & Recycling, www.techrecycle.com
Will pick up and dismantle old computers in Denver, CO.
Can only accept large pick-ups from companies. Fee is
charged.
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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Construction and Building Materials
Resource 2000, www.resource2k.org
Accepts used and remaining construction materials.
C&A Floor coverings, www.powerbond.com
Recycle old carpet and design it into new carpet. Deal
with mainly corporate and business offices.
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Copy Machines
Technology Recycling, www.techrecycle.com
Will pick up and dismantle old copy machines in Denver,
CO. Fee is charged, check website for latest pricing.
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Discs (Floppy and CD-ROM)
CD Recycling Center of America, www.cdrecyclingcenter.com
They recycle CD/ DVD's and their packaging free, the only
cost you incur is shipping. Send directly to 68H Stiles
Road, Salem, NH 03079.
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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Eyeglasses
New Eyes for the Needy, 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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Food
Emergence Family Assistance Assoc., www.efaa.org
Will accept all dry goods that have not been opened. Donations
can be dropped off at the back door.
Community Food Share, www.communityfoodshare.org
Accepts food donations
Denver Rescue Mission, 303.294.0157
A shelter for the homeless that accepts can and non-perishable
food items.
Food Bank of the Rockies, www.foodbankrockies.org
Accepts food, desks, paint, and furniture. Can pick up
items.
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Furniture & Housewares
Emergence Family Assistance Assoc., www.efaa.org
Accepts all furniture for low-income families. Will pick
up in Boulder, Louisville and Longmont areas.
Salvation Army, www.salvationarmy.org
Will provide free pick up for most large furniture items.
Advance notice must be given.
Human Services, 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, 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, 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, www.rainforesthealth.org
Sends medical supplies to Peru’s isolated Amazon
villages.
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Office Supplies
Nature Conservancy of Colorado, 303.444.2950
Accepts various office supplies and office furniture & equipment.
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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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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., 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
Eco-Cycle Hard-to-Recycle Items, www.ecocycle.org
Boulder-based Hard-to-Recycle items accepts old, worn tennis
shoes that are made into recycled flooring.
Nike Reuse a Shoe, www.nikereuseashoe.com
Recycles shoes to foreign countries. Worn out shoes are
recycled into courts, tracks and playgrounds.
One World Running, www.boulderrunning.com/oneworldrunning/shoedrop.php
Since 1986, a group of runners in Boulder, Colorado, has
collected, washed and sent to Third World countries new
and "near-new"
athletic shoes, T-shirts and shorts, along with medicine
and school and art supplies. Shoes in good condition can
be donated and sent or dropped off at the designated locations.
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, 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.
Wildize Foundation, www.wildize.org
This Colorado-based organization accepts hiking boots and
tennis shoes for the African Rangers who patrol the parks
and wilderness areas. Send items directly to them at:
PO Box 3078 Aspen, Colorado, USA 81612
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Sporting Goods
Skichair, 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.
Reeski, www.reeski.com
This Aspen, CO based company reuses old skis and snowboards
and creates outdoor furniture and household items.
Green Mountain Ski Furniture, 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 Placques
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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Tyvek Envelopes
Dupont Tyvek Recycling Program, http://www2.dupont.com/Tyvek_Envelopes/en_US/tech_info/tech_environ.html
Tyvek envelopes are made from #2 plastic and can be recycled
however, not in your regular curbside recycling programs.
Dupont has its own recycling program for Tyvek envelopes
and can be mailed directly to: Tyvek® Recycle,
Attn. Shirley B. Wright, 2400 Elliham Avenue #A, Richmond,
VA 23237
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Video/Audio Cassettes
Eco-Media, 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, www.ecodisk.com
Recycles all audio cassette tapes
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Additional Recycling Resources
1-800-GOT JUNK? www.1800gotjunk.com
Will pick up old furniture, appliances, yard waste, electronics and construction
debris. Recycles items that can be recycled.
College Hunks Hauling Junk, www.1800JunkUSA.com
College Hunks Hauling Junk® provides collegiate teams
to remove junk quickly from anywhere within commercial
or residential property. They donate a portion of revenues
from each job to local college scholarship programs.
Colorado Recycles, www.colorado-recycles.org
Will give information about recycling centers in Colorado.
Will send the Colorado Recycling Directory at no charge.
Eco-Cycle, www.ecocycle.org
Eco-Cycle is a Boulder-based community recycling facility.
See website for complete details on recycling locations
and drop off locations.
Earth 911, www.earth911.org
This site offers recycling and reuse information for almost
anything. You can enter your zip code and it will list
recycling facilities or re-use options in your area.
Excess Access, www.excessaccess.com
This organization matches up donors of goods to area non-profits,
schools, government organizations, etc., that have a
designated wish list of items needed.
Freecycle, www.freecycle.org
The Freecycle 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.
National Recycling Coalition, www.nrc-recycle.org
This is a national non-profit advocacy group with members
that span all aspects of waste reduction, reuse and recycling
in North America.
Raymond Communications, 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.
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