Material Donation Guide
Thank you so much for donating materials for creative reuse in Philly!
Before you donate, please check our general criteria below to make sure we can accept your donations.
Within each category button of materials listed below, there are more details to help answer some common questions. If your item(s) are not listed, or you still have questions, please feel free to send us an email!
Please make sure all materials are:
Clean (not dirty, rusty, moldy, smelly, etc)
In Reusable/ Resellable shelf-ready condition – could be bought as is on our sales floor
The types of reusable materials we accept (see the general categories below)
Not recycling – we focus on reusable materials! But we may be able to assist you with recycling referrals
Please do not bring anything that is:
Dirty, soiled, mildewed, rusty, leaking
Broken, cracked, ripped/torn, missing parts, in need of repair
Flammable, toxic, hazardous, or otherwise dangerous for staff + volunteers
Unsorted, mixed lots + clean outs / Not sure what you’ve brought / Haven’t gone through contents in years
Arts / Crafts / Maker Materials
Acceptable
artist studio equipment + tools that are functional with no missing pieces (easels, drafting tables, portfolios, etc.)
artist + craft brushes
artist paints: watercolor, tube acrylic, oil paints, tempera
pencils, crayons, chalk, markers, etc.
sculpture tools + materials
beads/jewelry making supplies + tools that are reasonably sorted
art paper, cardstock, art boards (poster, mat, foam, etc)
artwork, prints, vintage photographs
frames with glass and backing fully attached
stretched canvas + canvas/muslin remnants over 1 yard
canvas stretcher bars
screenprinting / printmaking supplies
photography equipment + supplies in functional condition with no missing pieces (cameras, tripods, lenses, etc. ***no enlargers***)
stained glass
flatfiles (with pre-approval)
gift wrap, ribbon, gift bags
scrapbooking materials (glitter, glue, stickers, stamps, stencils, etc)
Unacceptable
any items that are broken or missing pieces
paint that is dried up, leaking, or otherwise unsellable
brushes or other supplies that are no longer usable
spray paint or any aerosols (fixatives, etc.)
art supplies that are flammable or toxic (i.e. turpentine, linseed oil)
beads/findings/costume jewelry that are mixed together and unsorted
frames that are cracked, broken, missing their glass and/or backing, or have glass/backings that are not solidly attached
unassembled metal frames + kits
canvas remnants under 1 yard
slide carousels
classroom art / projects
corks (we always have plenty!)
common curbside recycling items like carboard tubes, bottle caps, plastic food containers, etc.
darkroom enlargers
Fabric / Textiles
Acceptable
clean fabrics and trim at least one square yard
home textiles in good condition(no stains, tears, odors, etc)
fabric samples in limited quantities (contact us first) fitting these guidelines:
• 12″x12″ or larger of natural fibers (cotton, linen, silk)
• stapled paper labels only (no glue) with hemmed finished edges
sewing, knitting, weaving, needlework supplies & notions
yarn: skeins and cones, no small bits or tangles
buttons
working sewing/serger machines (as space allows & by approval only)
sewing patterns
Unacceptable
fabric scraps smaller than one square yard
ANY fabric that is dirty, torn, stained, moldy, or contains odors (no mothball smell or pet hair)
garments, partial projects, used rags/bedding
real fur
fabric samples that are non-recyclable synthetic fibers or have glued labels, sample books
yarn, ribbon that is in small bits, tangled, or dirty
broken sewing machines
loose, unpackaged needles, pins
Decor / Housewares
Acceptable
vintage or quality furniture (with pre-approval)
housewares (clean, no broken or missing pieces)
dinnerware (no cracks or chips)
decorative pillows, curtains, packaged bedding (no stains, tears, odors, etc)
lamps + lighting with plugs (in working condition)
antiques/collectibles
framed mirrors
pre-approved holiday decor/items
Unacceptable
furniture made with MDF or chipboard
unframed mirrors or glass
direct wire or track lighting fixtures (ie. ceiling mount or wall sconce fixtures without plugs)
fluorescent, incandescent, or any unpackaged bulbs
custom window treatments or valances: unpackaged or framed
mattresses/box springs/used + unpackaged bedding
used carpets + padding
plastic hangers
holiday specific decor/items without pre-approval
Lumber / Sheet goods
Acceptable
dimensional lumber at least 6′ in length
* Less than 6′ pieces of hardwood may be accepted upon approval
sheet goods of wood, plexi, sintra, etc. (half sheets or larger)
molding/trim
architectural accents/ elements
decorative windows and hardwood doors in good condition (no hollow core)
Unacceptable
ANY wood with nails, screws, paint, warping, signs of rot or water damage
standard dimensional lumber less than 6’
sheet goods less than half sheet
pressure treated lumbers
MDF (Medium-density fibreboard) or chipboard
drywall/gypsum
Building Materials / Hardware
Acceptable
knobs/pulls, brackets, hinges, etc.
hand tools
small quantities of decorative ceramic tile
some hardwood doors and windows with prior approval
packaged hardware (nails, screws, etc)
latex house paint MUST:
– be brought with prior notice via call/or email (large quantities will require both prior approval & an appointment)
– be no more than 3 years old
-3/4 full or more
– have no rust/rot
– must have recently been open, with a color dot of paint clearly indicated on lid
Unacceptable
unpackaged/unlabeled hardware
hollow core doors
glass storm doors or plate glass
plain ceramic tile
plastic or aluminum window blinds. we may be able to accept hardwood blinds with prior approval.
– oil-based house paint
NO latex house paint that:
– is brought without prior notice
– is more than three years old
– is less than 3/4 full
– has ANY signs of rot/rust on either the interior or exterior
– has not been recently opened, with a color dot clearly indicated on the lid
(paint in unacceptable condition will be returned to the donor for proper disposal)
Film / Theater Props
Acceptable
*must email first for possible prior approval:
-unique scenery pieces may be accepted on an individual basis
-painted backdrops/signs may also be accepted
-mannequins/display fixtures, depending on quantity & condition
Unacceptable
Set walls and platforms not designed/built for reuse (ie. glued together, not deconstructed back into reusable lumber)
Outdoor / Patio / Garden
Acceptable
gardening handtools
flower pots, saucers, etc with no cracks or dirt
other new and re-sellable gardening supplies (tomato cages, bird netting)
Unacceptable
any outdoor supplies or materials with dirt still on them
handtools with rust
Books / Education / Office
Acceptable
paper, pads, notebooks, journals, stationary
staplers, tape, scissors, desk accessories
hardcover books: art, craft, other maker (DIY, how to, cooking), design, or environmental
maps/educational posters/classroom decorations
chalk + chalkboards
cork boards
Unacceptable
binders + hanging file folders
magazines, encyclopedias, non-art educational texts
printer ink cartridges
cassettes/CDs/VHS tapes/vinyl records
unpackaged envelopes
unpackaged office paper
Unacceptable Materials
Hazardous Materials
flammable materials, solvents, etc.
spray paint/adhesives
batteries
any item with flaking paint of unknown lead content
Electronics / E-waste
computers, printers, televisions, etc.
appliances, refrigerators, freezers, AC units
Typical Curbside Trash or Recycling Items
toilet/paper towel tubes, plastic food containers, etc.
styrofoam packing materials
tires/automotive parts
*paint that does not meet our listed criteria above
will be returned to the donor for proper disposal