Where to Donate, Recycle, or Sell All Those Unused Home Items
Imagine this: you’ve purged clothes in your closet that you never wear or don’t fit, you’ve removed all those never used appliances in your kitchen (yes, the breadmaker from your wedding in 2005), and you’ve set aside cans of old paint in the garage. You feel awesome and accomplished but now there are bags and piles that need to go. Today, I’m sharing some resources to help you eliminate the clutter you’ve already removed from your house.
Option #1: Give Back by Donating
BOOKS
AMERICAN BOOK DRIVE
Large pick-ups (200+ items) available plus over 70 drop-off locations
Website: http://www.americanbookdrive.com/book-donation-drop-off-locations/
BOOK DRIVER
Book Driver takes used books, DVDs, vinyl records, CDs, and video games. Schedule a pick-up on their website
Website: http://www.bookdriver.net/about-us/book-driver-losangeles/
DISCOVER BOOKS
Use their drop-off locator to find a bin ear you
Website: https://www.discoverbooks.com/
FREE LITTLE LIBRARY
Take a Book. Share a Book. Drop off a small amount of books. Find one in your neighborhood.
Website: https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/
RE-BOOKIT
Re-Bookit benefits libraries, schools, at-risk children, hospitals, and the Last Bookstore
Website: https://www.rebookit.org/donation-pickups
BUILDING MATERIAL AND FURNITURE
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GREATER LOS ANGELES
Habitat accepts large quantities of in-kind donations such as building materials, appliances, and more.
Website: https://www.habitatla.org/support-us/donate/in-kind-donations/
LA SHARES
Accepts new and gently used office furniture, art supplies, A/V equipment, and more.
Website: https://www.lashares.org/become-a-donor
CLOTHING AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
GOODWILL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Location: Multiple locations
Website: https://www.goodwillsocal.org/donate/donation-center-locator/
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN (NCJW) / COUNCIL THRIFT STORES
Location: Six locations in the LA area; contact NCJW|LA re pick-up
Website: https://www.ncjwla.org/store-location-and-hours/
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY RESCUE MISSION
They accept donations of new and/or gently used clothing (all sizes).
Location: 8756 Canby Ave., Northridge, CA 91325
Website: https://sfvrescuemission.org/
SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL THRIFT SHOP
Location: DTLA and Long Beach (drop-off or pick-up)
Website: https://www.goodwillsocal.org/donate/donation-center-locator/
JOIN YOUR LOCAL FACEBOOK BUY NOTHING GROUP
CHILDREN’S AND BABY ITEMS (excluding clothing)
Most large donation centers do not take toys or baby items (car seats, etc.) due to potential safety hazards. Walmart and Target usually have car seat trade-in events once per year. Check with local women’s shelters to see if they need baby equipment. Local day cares and preschools may be interested in toys such as blocks, connector toys, play tables, gently used art supplies, etc.
DON’T FORGET THE ANIMALS!
Animal shelters always need items such as old towels. Check the website for their list of needs.
Website: https://www.laanimalservices.com/waystodonate
JUNK REMOVAL
JUNKLUGGERS
For a fee, they will remove most items except for hazardous waste. Junkluggers recycles, rehomes, and donates as many of your items as possible.
Website: https://www.junkluggers.com
Option #2: Get a Little Extra by Selling
Here are some resources if you are interested in selling clothing or other household items:
Option #3: Go Green by Recycling
HAZARDOUS WASTE
CITY OF LOS ANGELES S.A.F.E. PERMANENT COLLECTION CENTERS
Residents can drop off items such as paint, solvents, chemicals, computers, batteries, cell phones, fluorescent lights, etc. Check website for drop-off days and times.
Website: https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/hhw/Permanent
HAZAWAYTODAY.COM
Home or office pick-up of hazardous waste for a fee
Website: https://hazawaytoday.com/
PAPER SHREDDING
Contact your local UPS, FedEx, or Staples for their fee-based shredding services
TEXTILE RECYCLING
FOR DAYS TAKE BACK BAG
For a fee, For Days accepts all textiles, including socks, underwear, sheets, pillow cases, towels, linens, shoes, and handbags in any condition. Ripped, torn or stained, your oldies will get a new life with the help of our recycling partners and be diverted from landfills.
Website: https://fordays.com/products/take-back-bag
After all of your hard work, do not let your unused items sit for months in your home or car. Make the call, order the pick-up, or do the drop-off right away. Don’t procrastinate as it can lead you to second-guessing the items you’ve purged, which is just an accumulation of additional clutter. Think about how great you will feel once everything is out of your hands!
If you're ready for an expert to cull the clutter and simplify your life, I've got your back! Contact me today.
See you soon,
Leslie