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

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.

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)
• s
tapled 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

For Responsible Recycling + Donation Referrals Please Visit Our ResourcePhilly Map