donation and recycling resources

Click the links here to move quickly to the section you need.

donate your stuff

recycle used items

connect with other buyers

sell your stuff

discover fun places to shop second-hand

locate environmental resources for recycling

get rid of household hazardous waste

stop junk mail

get rid of a dumpster-full or more

dispose of mattresses

find the value of donated items


donate your stuff

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS: DROP OFF AT THEIR SITES

Arc’s Value Village Thrift Stores (Four locations: Richfield, New Hope, Brooklyn Center, Bloomington, and St. Paul.) They accept clothing, accessories, jewelry and shoes; kitchenware; small appliances; books, music and media; toys and games; linens and crafts; knick-knacks, collectibles and art; luggage; pictures, frames, decorative mirrors; holiday decorations; hand tools; select furniture (with manager approval.) Pick-up service available or drop off at their stores. Call 612-861-9550 or visit their great website at www.arcsvaluevillage.org. They also have some 24-hour drop-off bins located throughout the Twin Cities.

Bridging: accepts donations at their Bloomington or Roseville locations. Donate quality, gently used furniture and household goods that you no longer need or use and furnish a local Twin Cities home with hope. Bridging welcomes the following furniture and household goods: living room dining room, and bedroom furniture, plus kitchen essentials (dinnerware, cookware, bakeware, drinkware, pots/pans & utensils) and small housewares (bedding, towels, pillows, lamps & small appliances). No appointment necessary, drop off for free. In addition, a fee-based pick up program is available in the 7-county metro area. Register online for a curbside or in-home pickup today. Visit www.bridging.org or call 952-888-1105.

Catholic Charities accepts personal care items like blankets, sheets, gloves, shoes, and socks; no clothing. Call 612-664-8500 or visit www.cctwincities.org.

Disabled American Veterans accepts clothing, housewares, some furniture. Neighborhood pick-ups available in some areas or drop off at their shop located in Maplewood. Call 651-487-2002

Epilepsy Foundation accepts most household items (clothing, shoes, bedding items, housewares, toys, games, tools, small appliances, and some furniture (no mattresses or sleeper sofas.) Drop off at their office at Snelling and University in St Paul. Neighborhood pick-ups available in some areas. Visit www.efmn.org or call 651-287-2300.

Goodwill accepts clothing, shoes, housewares, décor, electronics, sporting goods, and other quality items. Seasonal items like holiday decorations and Halloween costumes are also welcome. Visit GoodwillTCMN.org/donate to learn more.

Love Inc. in Chanhassen accepts beds and mattresses (no rips, tears or stains, please) in all sizes except king, plus chests of drawers, dressers, night stands, kitchen tables and chairs.  Pick-ups available in eastern Carver County (Chanhassen, Chaska, Carver & Victoria) or you can drop off items at the warehouse on Saturdays from 9:00am – noon. Visit www.loveincecc.org or call 952-448-3261.

Joseph’s Coat accepts clothing & shoes, cookware & dishes, small appliances, bed & bath linens, puzzles, games & books, and personal care items. Visit www.josephscoatmn.org or call 651-291-2472.

Salvation Army accepts clothing, housewares. Call 651-771-7779 or visit http://donate.salvationarmyusa.org.

Steeple People Surplus Store is an outreach project of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church located at the interesection of Lyndale and Franklin. Call 612-871-8305 or visit http://hennepinchurch.org/steeplepeople.

 


HOUSEHOLD ITEMS: PICK-UP SERVICE IN THE TWIN CITIES

Bibles for Missions Thrift Center. Call 763-522-1786.

Bridging: Donate quality, gently used furniture and household goods that you no longer need or use and furnish a local Twin Cities home with hope. Bridging welcomes the following furniture and household goods: living room dining room, and bedroom furniture, plus kitchen essentials (dinnerware, cookware, bakeware, drinkware, pots/pans & utensils) and small housewares (bedding, towels, pillows, lamps & small appliances). A fee-based pick up program is available in the 7-county metro area. Register online for a curbside or in-home pickup today. Visit www.bridging.org or call 952-888-1105.

Courage Center accepts clothing, housewares, some furniture. Neighborhood pick-ups available in some areas. Call 952-881-1100 or visit www.couragepickup.org.

Disabled American Veterans Thrift Store accepts clothing, housewares, some furniture. Neighborhood pick-ups available in some areas. Call 651-487-2002 or visit www.dav.org.

Epilepsy Foundation accepts most household items (clothing, shoes, bedding items, housewares, toys, games, tools, small appliances, and some furniture (no mattresses or sleeper sofas, however.) Neighborhood pick-ups available in some areas. Visit www.efmn.org or call 651-287-2300.

Goodwill offers a free pick-up service for large loads in the Twin Cities. Visit GoodwillTCMN.org/donate to schedule an appointment.

Hospitality Center for Chinese accepts desks, dressers, office chairs, love seats, new mattresses and box springs, and other furniture. This nonprofit organization assists Chinese students and scholars attending the University of Minnesota as they adjust to American culture and lifestyle by providing free furniture to furnish their apartments. Pick-ups are available or drop off at their office located across from the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus on Cleveland Avenue. Visit hcchinese.org or call 651-659-9740.

Salvation Army accepts cars, clothing, furniture, household goods, and appliances. Call 612-332-5855 or visit www.satruck.org.

St Vincent De Paul Thrift Stores accepts furniture, sofas, mattresses, clothing, household goods, books. Must be in good condition. Call 651-602-0478 or visit www.svdpmpls.org for pick-up within 694/94 loop.

Steeple People Surplus Store is an outreach project of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church located at the interesection of Lyndale and Franklin. Call 612-871-8305 to schedule pick-up your quality used furniture.

Vietnam Veterans of America accepts clothing, housewares, some furniture. Neighborhood pick-ups available in some areas. Call 651-778-8387 or visit www.vvapickup.org.

United Way 211 is the place to call if you have a donation but don’t know where to donate it. Just call 211 from your telephone.


BABY ITEMS

Birthright in St Paul accepts donations of  infant clothing (0 – 3T), baby toys, and strollers. Call 651-646-7033.

Bundles of Love Charity accepts sewing material; cotton or cotton-blend knit fabric, cotton woven fabric, polar fleece, sweatshirt fleece, ribbing, bias tape, elastic, fiberfill, yarn (non-wool), and new baby care supplies of newborn diapers, baby wipes, baby wash. Visit www.bundlesoflove.org or call (952) 808-6882 to leave a message.

Joseph’s Coat accepts clothing, bedding, baby toys, and strollers in good condition. Visit www.josephscoatmn.org or call 651-291-2472.

Tapestry at Chicago Ave South and 41st Street in Minneapolis accepts donations of infant and toddler clothing, car seats, and strollers. They are one of the few places that takes older cribs (no more than 10 years old) as they have volunteers who refurbish them and get them up to safety standards. Call 612-823-0301 or visit www.tapestryfamilies.org.

TLC Options for Women affiliated pregnancy resource centers in West St Paul, St. Paul Midway, Little Canada, East St Paul, Highland, Apple Valley, Hastings, Woodbury, North Minneapolis, Hopkins, Osseo, Forest Lake, Stillwater, and Lindstrom accept infant clothing (newborn– 3T) and strollers. Call 651-291-9473 or find a center near you at www.tlcoptions.org.

TwinCitiesFreeMarket.org will let you post items for free in the children’s section. Visit www.TwinCitiesFreeMarket.org.


BOOKS

Minnesota Literacy Council accepts new and gently used bilingual and multicultural children’s books; board books for early readers and preschoolers; picture books; easy chapter books; and middle grades chapter books. These books are given to low-income children and families. Visit www.mnliteracy.org/support/book-donations for details.

Read Indeed accepts new and gently used books at its warehouse in Hopkins, Minnesota. The warehouse is open two Saturdays a month. These books are given to low-income children and families. Visit www.mnliteracy.org/support/book-donations for details.

Books for Africa has a drop-off site in St Paul. These books are sent to rural school libraries, orphanages, and adult literacy programs throughout Africa. Details at www.booksforafrica.org.


CLOTHING ONLY

Ready for Success, part of Episcopal Community Services, provides low-income women and men in the Twin Cities with gently used clothing suitable for interviews and the workplace. They especially need “business professional” and” business casual” items in sizes 14 and higher, plus shoes, scaves, jewelry, watches, purses, belts, seasonal outwear, bras, slips, and camisoles. Call 651-731-6400 or visit http://readyforsuccessmn.org.

Dress For Success aims to advance low-income women’s economic and social development and to encourage self-sufficiency through career development and employment retention. Dress for Success currently accepts new or nearly-new and cleaned: Coordinated, contemporary, interview-appropriate skirt and pant suits; crisp blouses; blazers and jackets; and professional shoes. They are particularly in need of larger-size suits. Visit www.dressforsuccess.org.

Operation Glass Slipper collects gently used prom dresses and distributes them to Twin Cities high school students who can’t afford new dresses. They need your shoes and accessories, too. Visit www.operationglassslipper.org.

Paperbag Princess in South St Paul is collecting dresses. Visit http://paperbagprincess.org for details.

Community Recycling is the perfect option if you don’t have a local donation resource. Simply gather up your gently used clothing (no heavy winter coats), bags, belts, and shoes (no flip flops, slippers, winter boots or crocs). Box them up. Then, visit the website at www.communityrecycling.biz/programs/cr-home to print out a pre-paid shipping label. After they receive your boxes they will record your recycling activity to your online recycling dashboard, where you can track your recycled items and view your environmental impact.


CARS

Make-a-Wish Foundation accepts all vehicles, running or not. Free pick-up. Call 651-645-9474 or visit www.wheelsforwishes.org.

Autos for Arc accepts any vehicle — car, truck, boat w/trailer, motorcycle, snowmobile, ATV, or RV — in any condition, with free pickup. Vehicles are sold at auction, and proceeds help individuals with disabilities and their families. Call 1-877-778-7709 or visit www.autosforarc.org.

Courage Center: The program accepts passenger cars, SUVs, light trucks, vans, trucks, RV/campers, boats, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and personal watercraft. Vehicles must be less than 14 years old. They must be in safe driving condition and have good resale value. Visit www.couragecenter.org or call 763-520-0520.

Free To Be, Inc., part of Anoka County Community Coalition, accepts vehicles at their Blaine location. They inspect and repair the cars, then donate them to needy families. Visit www.freetobeinc.org or call 763-717-7755.

Goodwill accepts vehicles in any condition, including automobiles, RVs, snowmobiles, campers, motorcycles and boats. Visit GoodwillCarDonation.org/car-donation-minnesota to schedule a free pick up.

Vehicle For Vets MN  accepts cars, trucks, boats (with trailer), motorcycles, and RVs, with free pick up. Call 1-844-234-2328 or donate your car online at www.vehiclesforveterans.org.


BIKES

Mr. Michael Recycles Bicycles, 520 N. Prior Avenue in St. Paul, accepts used bicycles in any condition.  Especially needed are bicycles to fit tall men. The store is open for limited hours; the schedule is listed on the calendar on their web site at www.mmrbstore.com or call 651-641-1037. Pick-up available for 10 or more bicycles in the metro area.


CELL PHONES

Best Buy provides free and easy recycling for any brand of cell phone.

The AT&T Wireless Reuse & Recycle Program accepts free drop-offs of all brands of unwanted cell phones and accessories at AT&T Wireless retail stores.

Sprint Project Connect offers free drop-off of all brands of wireless phones at Sprint Stores.

Staples office supply stores offer free drop-off recycling services for used cell phones.

Target stores offer free drop-off recycling services for used cell phones.

Through the Verizon Wireless HopeLine Phone Recycling Program, consumers get free drop-off recycling services for used cell phones at retail store locations.

Many local schools accept cell phones as a fundraiser.


COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS/OFFICE FURNITURE

Best Buy (locations nationwide) accepts and recycles a variety of tech items at no charge, including computers, printers, keyboards, tablets, e-readers, laptop batteries, gaming systems, TVs, DVD players, video cameras, GPS, speakers, CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, vacuums, and so much more. Visit www.bestbuy.com and search for “recycling.”

MNTAP materials exchange helps prevent usable business materials from becoming waste. Visit www.mnexchange.org or call 612-624-5119.

Minnesota Computers for Schools refurbishes relatively new (and working) computers for classrooms. Call 651-779-2700 ext 2656 or visit www.mncfs.org.

Computer Service Center in Blaine offers free recycling of computers, printer cartridges/toner, keyboards, computer mice, speakers, power cords, radios, headphones, external computer devices, stereos, and software. There is a minimal charge to recycle printers, copiers, scanners, TVs, and monitors. Drop off or arrange pick up. Will remove hard drive information safely for you. Call 763-783-8600 or visit www.computerservicemn.com.

Jobs Foundation offers free electronics recycling of all computer-related and electronics items such as keyboards, mice, routers, servers, cables, cords, printers, cell phones, flat-screen monitors, and fax machines, plus stereos, speakers, and radios. No microwaves. (There is a fee for CRT monitors and televisions). Drop off. Complimentary pick-up for at least ten computers. Call 763-432-3117 or visit www.techdump.org.

PCs for People refurbishes used computers (10 years or newer) and distributes them to low-income families and 501(c)(3) non-profits. They have offices in Mankato and St Paul. For details visit www.pcsforpeople.com, email info@pcsforpeople.com, or call 651-354-2552.

The Minnesota Materials Exchange program is a free service that links organizations that have reusable goods they no longer need to those who can use them. They accept business-related items in good, usable condition. Visit http://mnexchange.org.

Swift Circuit will take your unwanted and broken electronics. Free pick-up for businesses and nonprofits. They reuse/repurpose/recycle all electronics, computers, music, games, musical instruments, stereos and more. Certified recycling and secure data destruction. Call 612-707-4543 for drop-off hours or questions at their Minneapolis location. Scrap Metal also accepted! More info at www.swiftcircuit.com.


FABRIC

Bundles of Love Charity accepts sewing material; cotton or cotton-blend knit fabric, cotton woven fabric, polar fleece, sweatshirt fleece, ribbing, bias tape, elastic, fiberfill, yarn (non-wool), and new baby care supplies of newborn diapers, baby wipes, baby wash. Visit www.bundlesoflove.org or call (952) 808-6882 to leave a message.


HEARING AIDS

Place the hearing aid in a crush-proof box, old pill bottle or other secure package. Mail to: Starkey Hearing Foundation, ATTN: Hearing Aid Recycling, 6700 Washington Avenue South, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 For more information, contact us at recycling@starkeyfoundation.org or call (866) 354-3254.


HOME PROJECTS

Bauer Brothers Salvage: Find everything from used theater seats to columns. Donate or sell your building materials, plumbing, cabinetry, etc. Located in NE Minneapolis. Visit www.bauerbrotherssalvage.com or call 612-521-9492.

Habit for Humanity ReStore in New Brighton accepts just about any type of building supplies, from working appliances to bricks to countertops. To schedule a pick-up, call 612-588-3820 or visit http://www.habitat.org/restores.

Rebuilding Together: Donate tools or paint supplies to this non-profit that preserves and revitalizes houses and communities for low-income homeowners. Visit www.rebuildingtogether-twincities.org.

Asbestos recycling can convert the material into harmless glass, but it is not common today. Keep in mind, this type of asbestos removal and repurposing should be left to professionals. To learn more, visit https://www.mesotheliomaveterans.org/mesothelioma/causes/asbestos/recycling.


MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

To donate used crutches, contact nursing homes and or medical supply stores to find out if they take donations of these items. School nurses may also need them for temporary use for minor sports injuries while kids are at school. Also try low-income/free clinics in your area.

All Goodwill locations accept donations of medical equipment, including crutches, walkers, wheelchairs and shower seats. These items are loaned out at no charge through offices in  St. Paul (Midway neighborhood), St. Cloud, Willmar and Rochester. Medical equipment loans are available to the general public for up to two months.

Global Health Ministries in Brooklyn Center accepts medical supply donations of bandages, gauze, exam gloves, bath towels, catheters, etc. Visit www.ghm.org.


STUFFED ANIMALS

SAFE (Stuffed Animals for Emergencies) accepts new and gently used stuffed animals to comfort children in scary situations. Over 20 states have chapters where you can drop off donations, or you can send them via mail. SAFE then cleans and repairs the used stuffed animals to make them look new again. SAFE volunteers provide them directly to children in need. Police and fire and rescue personnel prefer small stuffed animals, while those of any size are sent to various children’s homes and libraries. Visit www.stuffedanimalsforemergencies.org.

Some local police stations also accept stuffed animals to comfort children when they come in for questioning or other scary situations. Or contact your local fire stations regarding donations.

Donate beanie babies to Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc. They pack beanie babies in the care packages to our soldiers, which they in turn give to the children they encounter in Iraq. Visit www.forgottensoldiers.org.


UPSCALE ITEMS

Hope Chest in Wayzata, MN, accepts used designer clothing, furniture and accessories. Proceeds go to support breast cancer research. Call 952-471-8700 or visit www.hopechest.com.


Recycle used items

ART PROJECTS MATERIALS

Artscraps in St Paul (St Clair and Snelling Ave) will take items that could be used for any type of art or craft project, from metal scraps to margarine tubs. 651-698-ARTS or www.artstart.org. In Minneapolis, Funktional Art will take similar objects. Also try your local Parks and Rec to donate anything that could be used for art projects for children. Also try the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Leonardo’s Basement in Minneapolis accepts items for their kids’ classes and projects, everything from prescription bottles to art supplies, from hand tools to gadgets. Visit http://leonardosbasement.org or call (612) 824-4394.


BATTERIES

Radio Shack and Target will take back used small button batteries used in watches, hearing aids, cameras, etc. These should NOT be thrown in the trash. Service stations are required to take back automotive lead acid batteries. Rechargeable batteries, such as those for cell phones and cordless power tools, should NOT be thrown in the trash. Visit www.call2recycle.org for a list of retailers who accept them, including Target, Radio Shack, and Home Depot. Common alkaline batteries used in toys and flashlights CAN be thrown in the trash as they don’t contain any mercury.


ENCYCLOPEDIAS

A few ideas for getting rid of them include posting on Craig’s List (www.craigslist.org), Freecycle (www.freecycle.org), or Twin Cities Free Market (www.twincitiesfreemarket.org). Ask local schools, libraries, or artists if they want them. Contact Books for Africa (www.booksforafrica.org). They accept 2000 or newer reference books such as encyclopedias and dictionaries.


MAGAZINES

A few places to donate used magazines include: schools (for collages and art projects), nursing homes, libraries, health clubs, and women’s shelters. Call before you drop off to make sure they aren’t already inundated.


PACKING PEANUTS

Take your old packing peanuts to any UPS, Parcel Plus, UPS Store, or other shipping outlet and they’ll reuse them.


PLASTIC BAGS

Most grocery stores, including Byerly’s, Cub Foods, Fresh & Natural Foods, Kowalski’s Markets, Lunds, Target, and Twin Cities Natural Food Co-ops, all accept clean, dry plastic bags for recyling. This includes not only plastic grocery and retail bags, but also the bags that wrap your morning paper, dry cleaning bags, water softener salt bags (remove strings and handles first), produce and bread bags (food residue cleaned off), zip-top bags (cut off any plastic parts first), and plastic wrappers from paper towels and toilet paper.


PRINTER CARTRIDGES

Office Depot and Office Max, as well as other office-supply stores will usually accept used printer cartridges. However, Epson, Brother, and Canon are often not accepted.


TOWELS, LINENS, RAGS

Check with your local animal shelter. They may take them for bedding for the animals.

Wipers Recycling in Maplewood will turn your worn-out jeans, bed sheets, towels, cotton fabric, and wool clothing into rags, dog toys & fertilizer. Visit www.wipersrecycling.com or call 651-222-7247.


connect with other buyers

Twin Cities Free Market is a unique website that hooks up potential givers and takers of any type of item. (You can’t charge for the items you are “selling.”) Free service. Visit twincitiesfreemarket.org.

Craigslist will connect you with other buyers in your area. Just click on the city nearest you and then the “for sale” section. Listings are free. Visit www.craigslist.org.

Freecycle matches up potential givers and takers of any type of item. Visit www.freecycle.org.


sell your stuff

DVDS, CDS, BLU-RAYS & GAMES

Decluttr gives you cash for your used media. Enter the products barcode number online and find out how much you can get. Free shipping. Visit www.decluttr.com.

CLOTHING

Clothes Mentor carries women’s clothes, shoes, handbags, and accessories. Visit www.clothesmentor.com.

Turn Style carries womens and mens clothing plus home furnishings. Visit www.turnstyleconsign.com.

Platos’ Closet buys and sells brand name, gently used clothing such as gap, abercrombie & fitch, express, hollister, american eagle and many more. Visit www.platoscloset.com.

Nu Look Consignment carries women’s, men’s, children’s, and maternity clothing and accessories. Visit www.nulookconsignment.com.

Everyday People in Minneapolis and St Paul carries vintage and newer trendy styles for men and women. Visit www.everydaypeopleclothing.com.

Wabi Sabi Shop in Plymouth carries high-end furniture. Call (763) 404-8499 or vist www.wabisabishop.com.


discover fun places to shop second-hand

Furnish (formerly Project for Pride in Living) is a good source of used, quality office furnishings plus some home goods. Located in NE Minneapolis. Visit www.furnishofficeandhome.org or call 612-789-3322.

The Shop Used First! guide lists locations throughout the metro area, highlighting those in Anoka County where you can find reused items or take your items for others to reuse. For more information or to request a copy of the Shop Used First! guide, call 763-323-5730 or e-mail recycle@co.anoka.mn.us.

Arc’s Value Village Thrift Stores (Four locations: Richfield, New Hope, Brooklyn Center and St. Paul.) Call 612-861-9550 or visit their great website at www.arcsvaluevillage.org


locate environmental resources for recycling

Chinook Book, a guide to smart shopping in the Twin Cities, local resources, new products, and local businesses (including coupons.) Find local distributors at chinookbook.net.

Earth911: Just type in your zip code and you’ll find locations near you to recycle or donate just about anything you can think of! Visit www.earth911.org.

Recyclemoreminnesota.org: Lists resources for each county on how to be more environmentally friendly. Also check out reduce.org.

Minnesota Waste Wise: Offers waste reduction resources for businesses. Call 651-292-4662 or visit www.mnwastewise.org.

Recycling Association of MN: Visit www.recycleminnesota.org or call 651-641-4560.

Recyclaholics: educational seminars for communities, businesses and schools; recycled and biodegradable/compostable products. 612-521-5667 or www.recyclaholics.com.

Rethink Recycling is a great place to learn how to reduce garbage, increase recycling, and order a composting kit. Visit www.rethinkrecycling.com.


get rid of household hazardous waste

For information, contact the county in which you live (see below), or visit www.pca.state.mn.us/hhw.html.

Anoka: 763-323-5730

Carver: 952-361-1800

Dakota: 952-891-7020

Hennepin: 612-348-6509

Ramsey: 651-633-3279

Washington: 651-430-6000


stop junk mail

Reduce the hail of unwanted mail by visiting the Direct Marketing Association consumer website at www.dmachoice.org and ask to be removed from their mailing lists. While you’re on the website, follow the instructions to put yourself on the Do Not Call List, and then opt out of pre-screened credit card offers.

Catalog Choice is a free service that lets you set mail preferences for paper catalogs you no longer wish to receive. Visit www.catalogchoice.org.

Do Not Call Registery: Opt out of unsolicited phone calls by visiting www.donotcall.gov.

Call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT to stop mailings of credit card offers.

Visit www.dexknows.com to opt out of receiving phone books.


get rid of a dumpster full or more

Bagster Dumpster Bags: Available at Home Depot, these heavy-duty bags cost about $30. Fill one up at your convenience, and call the number provided on the bag for pick-up when you’re ready. Cost for pick-up varies by location. Bags hold up to 3300 lbs of waste. Visit www.thebagster.com or call 877-789-2247 to confirm your location is within the collection service area.

Dumpsters.com is a national dumpster rental company providing simple and reliable rental services. Visit www.dumpsters.com/service-area/minneapolis-mn or call 651-309-8531 to schedule.

TUBS, Inc: 612-825-TUBS

1-800-GOT-JUNK: North America’s largest junk removal service. They do all the loading into their truck, and then your junk is recycled, taken to a transfer station, or sent to a landfill. Pricing is based on your city, the volume of material, and the nature of your material. They’ll take construction materials, garden refuse, furniture, appliances, and other items. No hazardous waste accepted. Visit www.1800gotjunk.com or call 1-800-got-junk.

Junk Genius: Call to obtain a written estimate. Discards will be delivered to an appropriate charity or recycling center whenever possible. Visit www.junkgenius.com or call 612-363-4401.


dispose of mattresses

Vaskos in St. Paul, MN, (Como Ave. between Rice and Western) will take used mattresses and other non-hazardous materials for a fee. Call 651-487-8546.

Second Chance Recycling, a nonprofit organization located at 1179 15th Avenue SE Minneapolis (35W and Hennepin Avenue) excepts mattresses and boxsprings Monday-Friday for $15/piece. Visit www.SecondChanceRecycling.com or call 612-332-0664 #14.


reduce plastic usage

The best way to reduce the amount of plastics in our world is to avoid purchasing them whenever possible. The second best option is finding ways to recycling and repurpose these items. This website shares many links to help you learn how to do all three: www.aaastateofplay.com/how-to-reduce-plastic-waste 


find the value of donated items

To check out the value of your donated items, you can download a valuation guide from Goodwill at http://www.goodwill.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Donation_Valuation_Guide.pdf