Clearing out your house? Here's where you can donate stuff so it doesn't end up in a landfill

If you’re moving, redecorating, or going through a decluttering phase, you likely have perfectly good stuff that you need to get rid of, and don’t even want money for it—taking it away is payment enough. But the effort to keep things out of the landfill and find them a new home where they’ll be used and appreciated can be frustrating.

We scouted out the ways you can get rid of the things you no longer want or need, at close to very little cost. In our search, we focused mainly on large items like furniture, but many if not all of the methods and organizations highlighted will take clothes, books, and housewares.

In general, there are two routes to choose from: Connect with your fellow New Yorkers directly through an online service or community, or donate your items to a local nonprofit for resale. 

When donating to an organization, check the donation guidelines to know what they will and will not accept. Some are obvious (no furniture that’s structurally unsound), some less so. For a citywide search of non-profits and organizations that accept and may even pick up items, consult the Department of Sanitation's DonateNYC directory.

[Editor's note: A previous version of the article ran in October 2018. We are presenting it again with updated information for September 2023.]

Person to person

There are a variety of online communities and classified sites where you can post items free for the taking. And no matter where you post, use common sense when dealing with or setting up meetings with strangers. Consider keeping things local, targeting your neighborhood, as opposed to letting all of NYC know you have something to give away. To be on the safe side, try to have someone else with you when your item is being picked up.

For the best results, post photos, be clear about the condition of the item, list its dimensions, as well as any other factors that could affect pickup. Helpful instructions may run along the lines of “it is very heavy, you will need at least two people,” “must carry down one flight of stairs," “pickup only available on weekends,” “has to be gone by X date.” The more information you provide and the clearer you are, the better.

You may be inundated with inquiries, and it’s tempting to respond to the very first person who says they’ll take an item off your hands, but don’t. A major issue with any “community”-based site is the flake factor: People just don’t show up. Do yourself a favor, save some time and irritation and vet your candidates: Who seems eager, who seems serious, who seems sane?

Craigslist

The OG of getting rid of stuff via the internet, Craigslist is still a viable option. To post, click the “create a posting” link in the upper left hand side of the site, and select the “for sale by owner” and “free” categories.

Neighborhood listservs

Tapping into a smaller pool, perhaps containing people you even know, a neighborhood listserv also has the advantage of being geo-targeted., i.e., those people may not have to travel far to come pick up your item, which could increase the likelihood of them doing so. Not sure of your local listserv? Google [your neighborhood] listserv and dive in. You may need to be approved by an administrator and set up an account to read and/or post.

Freecycle

Grassroots, non-profit organization run by volunteers in each community, Freecycle facilitates the giving and getting of everything under the sun with the goal of keeping it out of a landfill. Head to freecycle.org to find your local list, and post.

Goodwill Industries

The non-for-profit organization sells donated merchandise to support programs that provide job training. 

Can you drop off? Yes, all Goodwill stores accept donations of clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, handbags, luggage, household goods and other items. Check out the full list of what you can and can't drop off.

Will they pick up? Yes, for a fee. You can schedule pick up for five bags or boxes for $50. Each bag or box must be less than 20 pounds. Consult the donation guidelines before scheduling a pick up.

Nextdoor

Nextdoor is another hyper-local place to post giveaways. After you become a member of your neighborhood, you can post items to give away (or sell). These posts expire after 30 days, however, you can renew a listing up to three days before it expires. For more intel, check out these guidelines.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Perhaps less well-known than shops from non-profits such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries, Habitat for Humanity’s retail outlets, known as “ReStores” function similarly, with a focus on building materials and furniture. The organization’s sole location is in Woodside, Queens.

What they take: Appliances (no dishwashers), tools, flooring, furniture, windows, paint (unopened, latex paint only) and more. Read the full list of what they do and don’t take here.

Can you drop-off?: Yes. Drop off large items Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. smaller ones up to one hour before closing.

Will they pick up?: Yes. Email [email protected] a photo of the item you’d like picked up, your location, and preferred pickup times and someone will get back to you within 24 hours.

The Salvation Army

An old standby for donating goods and bargain shopping, The Salvation Army is the best-represented second-hand store in New York City, with stores in every borough.

Can you drop off? Yes. Check out the donation guide before you head to a donation center.

Will they pick up? Yes, and you can even schedule a pickup online. The only slight snag is that if you’re hoping to unload something ASAP, you’re probably out of luck: Availability is typically a few weeks out. 

Big Reuse

A non-profit dedicated to helping divert materials from landfills (and a great spot to find some gently-used furniture or salvaged building materials) Big Reuse accepts a wide range of items.

Can you drop off? Yes, Big Reuse accepts items like books, clothing, electronics and home goods seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info on what they do and do not take, check out: The Big Reuse Donation Guide. To donate large items like furniture or large appliances, fill out a donation form.

For more information contact [email protected] or call 718-732-4143.

Do they pick up? Yes, but only for large volume items. Fill out the donation form to submit a request for pickup consideration.

Housing Works

Committed to serving and advocating for homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, Housing Works operates numerous thrift stores and cafes in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. (Note: the cafes do not accept furniture.)

Can you drop-off? Yes. Donations can be brought to thrift stores during business hours. Managers have the right to refuse goods not in acceptable condition, so make sure your items are in good shape.

Will they pick up? Yes. Fill out this form requesting a pickup, and note that photos are required for consideration. It’s best if you have two or more pieces to donate; items must be in very good to excellent condition. Expect a response in about three days, and a pickup in seven to 10. Requests spike towards the end of the month, so plan accordingly.

Out of the Closet

Out of the Closet is the thrift store arm of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which provides medicine and advocacy to patients worldwide. The Brooklyn location on Atlantic Avenue is the organization’s only store in the New York City area.

Can you drop-off? Yes. Call the store at 718-637-2955 and speak to a manager, who will assess if they will be able to accept the item (plan on emailing photos).

Will they pick up? Yes. Fill out the donation form online, or call 1-877-274-2548 to arrange a pickup. (The dispatch service will screen for accepted items.)

Junkluggers

If you’ve exhausted all your options and no one is taking your stuff off your hands, but you still want it out, call a junk removal service like Junkluggers. Yes, you pay them to take it away (cost is by the dumpster, or fraction of a dumpster) and you get a free estimate when they show up. They, in turn, will donate any pieces they can to one of their many non-profit partners, some of which are listed here.

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