NYC living spaces tend to be small. Add kids—and all of their stuff—and what do you have? No more room! If it’s time for some spring cleaning and you’re looking for somewhere to donate or sell unwanted items in NYC, you have plenty of options. From consignment shops that will give you cash for nearly-new kid’s clothes to civic programs that facilitate donating to non-profits, here’s our list of resources for helping you make a clean sweep! Plus, lots of ways to get stuff for free in NYC.
The Big Picture On Donating Things in NYC
Good news: there are many, many organizations that will take your stuff! We have several big players below, but know that city agency donateNYC has a vast database of places that will accept donations, many of which will pick up. Head to the donateNYC website where you can search by donation category and zip code to find places near you.
Online: nyc.gov
If you live in a building with 10 or more units, consider setting up a permanent donation bin on-site, through the city program refashionNYC, a free and convenient clothing donation and recycling service. The program’s partnership with Housing Works offers convenient collection while fighting the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS. It’s also available for businesses, office buildings, and schools.
Online: nyc.gov
Chrissy M. via Yelp
Where to Donate Clothes, Toys & Household Goods
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St. Mary’s Clothing Drive
St. Mary’s Clothing Drive, run by St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, can’t make it any easier to donate clothes and other items. (Although you must be in the service area, which is mostly Brooklyn.) Just head to the website, schedule a pickup, label your bags and wait for them to whisk your donation away. (They even leave you a receipt.)
Online: stmarysclothingdrive.com
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Mimi O’Connor
Kids’ Consignment Stores
While there used to be a lot more, there are still some places to sell kids (and maternity) clothes on consignment in NYC—not to mention get some good deals on clothes and other essentials. Every store has its own policies, pricing, desired items, etc., but some of our favorites include:
Jane’s Exchange in the East Village
Parachute Brooklyn in Greenpoint
Nova’s Arc in Park Slope
Owl Tree Kids Carroll Gardens
Consignment4Kids online/Upper East Side
For An Easy Way to Consign Adult Clothes
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Specialty Categories: Where to Donate Electronics, Books, Building Materials & Art Supplies
photo: Cottonbro via Pexels
Where To Donate Art Supplies
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Where to Donate Books
Lots of places listed here will take your books, but if you’re nearby, also consider the Brooklyn Book Bodega. They’ll take your new and gently used children’s book at a partner donation location in Brooklyn. They accept gently used and new books for ages 0-18 including foreign language, dual language and nonfiction books. (Please: no religious books, textbooks, activity books, encyclopedias, broken books, or books with missing pages.)
Online: brooklynbookbodega.org
photo credit: Ergoguys
Where to Donate Old batteries and cell phones
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[rt_slide title=”Where%20to%20Get%20Rid%20Electronic%20waste” body=”%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ELES%20Ecology%20Center%20Pop-Ups%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3EFor%20all%20electronic%20waste%20except%20batteries%2C%20the%20LES%20Ecology%20Center%20will%20help%20you%20out.%20Items%20accepted%20here%20include%20computers%20and%20computer%20parts%2C%20monitors%2C%20handheld%20devices%20like%20phones%20and%20tablets%2C%20network%20devices%20like%20modems%2C%20peripherals%20like%20keyboards%20and%20mice%2C%20printers%2C%20scanners%2C%20fax%20machines%2C%20TVs%20and%20associated%20appliances%2C%20videogame%20consoles%20%E2%80%94%20and%20the%20list%20goes%20on.%20If%20you%20have%20a%20non-working%20electronic%20device%2C%20this%20organization%20will%20probably%20take%20it%20off%20your%20hands.%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lesecologycenter.org%2Fe-waste-collection-is-back%2F%22%3ESee%20a%20list%20of%20upcoming%20waste%20collection%20pop-ups%20here%3C%2Fa%3E%20and%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lesecologycenter.org%2Fcalendar%2Fcategory%2Fewaste%2Fewaste-events%2F%22%3Ethe%20calendar%20for%20all%20events%20here%3C%2Fa%3E.%20(Now%20you%20finally%20know%20what%20to%20do%20with%20that%20child-proof%20tablet%20that%20somehow%20still%20got%20busted%E2%80%A6)%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3EOnline%3A%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lesecologycenter.org%2Fe-waste-collection-is-back%2F%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%22%3Elesecologycenter.org%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E” /]
Ven H. via Yelp
Where to Donate Building Materials, Appliances, Furniture & More
Habitat for Humanity’ ReStore will take your gently-used furniture, appliances, cabinetry, building materials and other household items. (You can see a full list of what is accepted here.) To donate, submit photos of the donation item/items to restore@habitatnycwc.org. Someone will return your email in 48 hours, and will let you know if the ReStore can accept your items. You can then drop off your items at the ReStore during open hours (they have locations in Woodside, Queens, and Westchester) or you can request a pickup via the email above.
Online: habitatnycwc.org
photo: Vlada Karpovich via Pexels
How to Reduce Waste: Swap or Get Free Stuff (or Donate)
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photo: Shirley810 via Pixabay
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