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 (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
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
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
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
sewing patterns
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 (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, no rust/rot, color clearly indicated on lid (appointment required)
some hardwood doors and windows with prior approval
packaged hardware (nails, screws, etc)
Unacceptable
unpackaged/unlabeled hardware
hollow core doors
glass storm doors or plate glass
plain ceramic tile
latex house paint less than 3/4 full, signs of rot/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, 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, educational texts
printer ink cartridges
cassettes/CDs/VHS tapes/vinyl records
unpackaged envelopes
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