Material Donation Guide
Thank you for donating materials for creative reuse! Before you donate, please check our general criteria below as well as the protocol for each category of item you plan on donating. If your item(s) are not listed, send us an email!
Please make sure all materials are:
Clean without dirt, rust, mold, odors
In Reusable/ Resellable shelf-ready condition – could be bought as is on our sales floor
Pre-sorted without tangles, leaks, sharp edges
Acceptable according to the protocol of each category below
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
Artist + craft brushes
Artist paints: watercolor, tube acrylic, oil paints, tempera
Colored pencils, crayons, chalk, pastels, markers
Sculpture tools + materials
Beads/jewelry making supplies + tools that are reasonable sorted
Drawing paper, colored paper, tissue paper
Cardstock/poster board/mat board/foam core/sintra/plexi
Artwork, paintings, drawings, prints, vintage photographs
Frames with glass and backing fully attached
Canvas/muslin remnants over 1 yard
Canvas stretcher bars
Printing blocks/stencils
easels, drawing/drafting tables
art supply storage containers, portfolios & carriers
flatfiles
gift wrap/ribbon/gift bags
scrapbooking materials
glitter, glue, stickers, stamps
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
Canvas remnants under 1 yard
Slide carousels
Fabric / Textiles
Acceptable
Clean fabrics and trim at least one square yard
Clean home textiles in good condition (no stains, tears, etc)
Fabric samples in limited quantities (contact us first) fitting these guidelines:
Larger than 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 bits or tangles
Buttons
Working sewing/serger machines
Sewing patterns in resellable condition
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, rags, used bedding
Real fur
Fabric samples that are non-recyclable synthetic fibers or have glued labels, sample books
Yarn that is in small bits, tangled, or dirty
Broken sewing machines
Sewing patterns with mold spots
Decor / Housewares
Acceptable
vintage or quality furniture
housewares (clean, no broken or missing pieces)
dinnerware (no cracks or chips)
lamps + lighting with plugs (in working condition)
antiques/collectibles
framed mirrors
Unacceptable
furniture made with MDF or chipboard
unframed mirrors or glass
direct wire lighting or track lighting fixtures (ie. ceiling mount or wall sconce light fixtures without plugs)
fluorescent or incandescent lightbulbs, or any unpackaged bulbs
custom window treatments or valances: unpackaged or framed
mattresses/box springs/bedding
used carpets + padding
plastic hangers
Christmas or holiday specific decor/items
Lumber / Sheet goods
Acceptable
dimensional lumber at least 6 ft length (unless it is hardwood)
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
Building Materials / Hardware
Acceptable
knobs/pulls, brackets, hinges, etc.
hand tools
small quantities of decorative ceramic tile
latex house paint, 3/4 full or more without rust, with the color clearly indicated on the lid
some hardwood doors and windows with prior approval
Unacceptable
unpackaged/unlabeled hardware
hollow core doors
glass storm doors or plate glass
plain ceramic tile
latex house paint where the can is less than 3/4 full and/or shows signs of rot or rust on the interior or exterior. paint in unacceptable condition will be returned to the donor for proper disposal.
oil-based house paint
plastic or aluminum window blinds. we may be able to accept hardwood blinds with prior approval.
Film / Theater Props
Acceptable
unique scenery pieces
painted backdrops/signs
mannequins/display fixtures
reusable 4’x8′ flats + platforms
Unacceptable
any scenery pieces that have been glued together (flats, walls, etc)
Outdoor / Patio / Garden
Acceptable
gardening handtools
flower pots
other new and re-sellable gardening supplies (tomato cages, rolls of chicken wire or 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, educational texts
printer ink cartridges
cassettes/CDs/VHS tapes/vinyl records
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