You’ve gone through your garage, you’ve purged your basement and even the space in your attic you forgot about. Those boxes and stuff you crammed in there 10 years ago when you moved are still there but now you are serious about getting rid of it!
If you’ve got time and would like to make some money–hold a garage sale with some friends! If you are a high D on the DISC and just want this stuff gone, then this is a good guide for where to take donations, who accepts what and how to arrange with some for pick up in the greater Portland & Vancouver areas!
Salvation Army: Not only does the Salvation Army welcome your unsold yard sale goods, but they even allow you to schedule a pickup for those goods online. To make the most of this service, you can go ahead and schedule for the Salvation Army donation truck to make a stop at your house as soon as your yard sale ends. That way you can quickly fill the truck with the unsold items without having to lug them back into the house. Schedule your pick up here.
Goodwill: Goodwill Industries will accept donations of household goods, clothing and toys as long as they have not been recalled, banned & meet current safety standards. Goodwill accepts donations at any of their locations in-store or through community wide donation bins. Some locations even offer a local pick-up service. Call first. Here is the guide for what, where and how for GW!
Habitat Re-Store: The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a great place to donate unwanted or unsold furniture, construction supplies or appliances. The ReStore resells these items to the public at a lower cost and uses the profits to fund the Habitat for Humanity projects. You can drop off your unwanted items at any Habitat for Humanity Restore location closest to you. Here is the list of acceptable items.
Computers and Electronics recycling:Best Buy: As the nation’s largest retail recycler of used electronics and appliances, they’re doing their part to responsibly reduce e-waste. They’ll take all kinds of used tech, regardless of where you bought it, how old it is or who made it. Every U.S. Best Buy store has kiosks, just inside the front doors, to drop off rechargeable batteries, wires, cords, cables and plastic bags. There are some restrictions by state and a few items that they do not take on the list so plan ahead by checking Best Buy recycling FAQ list.
Vancouver used electronics and computer recycling at Earth Friendly Recycling
Portland used computer component recycling at Free Geeks in SE Portland. They are our favorite–have great community programs like the K-12 volunteer program. 24 hours of volunteering = free computer! How cool is that? Belong to a non-profit? Apply for a hardware grant and receive computers and other tech items to support your mission.
Got chemicals and or hazardous waste? Portland METRO hosts neighborhood recycling events June-November throughout Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties! Here’s a great list of stuff to get rid of this summer!! Paints and stains, pesticides, poisons, cleaners, disinfectants, thinners, solvents, propane, sharps (medical syringes), fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent light bulbs, aerosols, automotive products, thermometers, pool and spa chemicals and hobby chemicals. If you live outside these three counties, contact them at: 1-800-RECYCLE (1-800-732-9253) for household hazardous waste event information in your community.
Clark County has free used paint drop off partnerships as well as three hazardous waste transfer sites.
There probably even more places to reference but these hit the most common elements! The point is, don’t put this stuff into the landfill. Get it to those who can recycle it, reuse it, reinvent it and dispose of it properly! At some, your donation may be eligible for a tax donation receipt! 🙂 Happy cleaning!
