Caring for Our Environment:
Tools for Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling
This page explores many of the ways households in our community can access resources, whether they be recycling tools and locations, home garden ideas, energy saving methodologies and resources, or specific places to go to recycle or re-house nearly everything. Please explore, and email info@greaterfarmland.org if you have additional resources and topics to share. The following buttons will take you to specific locations on this page:
Periodically, we hold one-hour online discussions of specific topics of interest. Contact the GFCA Environmentalism-at-Home group if you would like to suggest a topic and/or have expertise you'd like to share with our neighbors. Topics discussed to date have included food waste composting, home energy conservation and indoor air quality, native plants gardening, going solar, electric vehicles and installing an EV charging station. We've also included an outside seminar on green burials. Check out the Neighbor Talks page at the link above.
Want to know if a specific item is sustainable or recyclable? Check out this fabulous resource,
packed with life-cycle information:
CitizenSustainable
There are also tabs with information on sustainable gardening, landscaping, and more.
packed with life-cycle information:
CitizenSustainable
There are also tabs with information on sustainable gardening, landscaping, and more.
Montgomery County Recycling Program
For county information, go to montgomerycountymd.gov/recycling or montgomerycountymd.gov/solidwaste
There are three ways to get our unwanted materials to the county:
There are three ways to get our unwanted materials to the county:
- Weekly collection at the curb on Fridays
- Paper products in the large wheeled blue bin. Click link for guidelines.
- Mixed hard plastic, glass, and metal in the smaller blue bin. Click link for photos of plastic recycling do's and don'ts. Here's a summary of unacceptable items:
- What plastic items are not accepted?
biodegradable or compostable plastic items
plastic bottles or containers that held automotive products or hazardous materials, such as motor oil, antifreeze and pesticides
plastic bags, film, or wrap - how to recycle plastic bags
non-bottle items made from any type of #6 plastic (polystyrene and Styrofoam™ products), such as
lids from soft-drink cups
solo cups (red and blue)
plastic knives, forks, and spoons (utensils)
plastic or foam egg cartons
polystyrene “clamshell” containers
packaging from small electronics and toys
jewel cases from CDs and DVDs - how to dispose or reuse jewel cases
flexible plastic trays and individual containers for plants and seedlings, including 4-pack and 6-pack plant containers
plastic shower curtains
plastic straws
tennis ball canistersplastic tubes
containers holding syringes or other sharps. (Also, never place syringes or other sharps directly in the blue bin.)
- What plastic items are not accepted?
- Call 311 to schedule a special collection at your home's curb of large, bulky items, including large metal items
- Yard waste (not construction debris) in uncovered cans, bundled with string, or in paper yard waste bags
- Bring items to the Shady Grove Transfer Station, pdf map below:
Here's what you can bring to the Shady Grove Transfer Station. In the Public Drop Off loop, there are containers for:
- Clothing and shoes
- Bicycles and bike parts
- Electronics of all kinds, including TVs
- Books and magazines
- Bulky rigid plastics
- Cardboard and paper products
- Tires
- Motor and cooking oil, oil filters, and antifreeze
- Hazardous materials, including chemical containers, rechargeable batteries, and flourescent light bulbs
- Scrap metal of all sizes, including appliances
- Yard waste and trim
- Usable building materials
- Propane cylinders
- Toner and ink cartridges
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What happens to all the mixed stuff in the blue bin????Take a tour of the county's Recycling Processing Center...
Check out the video. |
Recycling Items That The County Doesn't Collect
There are many private companies, donation sites, and non-profits that specialize in reusing or recycling items we no longer use or want. Here are some resources:
Companies that recycle numerous item types
MOM's Organic Market
Corner of Randolph Road & Nebel Street
There is a bank of recycling bins outside the entrance doors on the sidewalk:
food waste for composting,
corks, cell phones, bottles, and eyeglasses.
Corner of Randolph Road & Nebel Street
There is a bank of recycling bins outside the entrance doors on the sidewalk:
food waste for composting,
corks, cell phones, bottles, and eyeglasses.
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Terracycle.com
Includes shaving razor recycling, along with may other hard-to-recycle products. The closest dropoff site is at Montgomery County Board of Education on Hungerford Drive and Manakee Lane in Rockville. It's also possible mail a boxful to them, see https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/gillette#@39.0839973:-77.1527578zoom:12&1-20of4
Staples in Congressional Plaza
Recycles toner cartridges, laptops, and electronics. They do not clear personal information off your computer or device. Staples also recycles rechargeable batteries, including Lithium-ion.
Best Buy on Rockville Pike
301-984-1479. Recycles laptops, computers, empty toner cartridges, even TVs. Some items, especially large items like big flat screen TVs, may have a fee. Best Buy website and the store staff say that all items are properly disposed of after reusable materials or equipment are taken out. The recycle bins are right inside the entrance door. If you need help removing your personal information from your laptop or device, call ahead to make a free appointment with the Geek Squad (at Best Buy store) to have everything wiped. You can leave the batteries in the devices.
Recycling and Repurposing Specialty Items
Food Waste Composting Options
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Montgomery County promotes home composting of food waste, https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/SWS/foodwaste/index.html
You can bring your food scraps to MOM's Organic Market at the corner of Randolph Road and Nebel Street, which has a bin on the sidewalk to the right of their entrance doors. Alternatively, you can hire a private composting company to collect your food scraps, for a monthly fee. They will deliver compost for your garden from the results. Dedicated Food Scraps Recycling Collectors Compost Cab, 202-695-2020 Compost Crew, 301-202-4450 EnviRelation, 202-465-4802 Organic Agriculture Recycling, LLC, christopher_br@hotmail.com, 240-898-7284 Organic Waste Haulers, 301-755-9286 |
You can buy a covered countertop bin online, at The Container Store, or other retailers, then take your food scraps to your off-the-ground outdoor composting bin or to one of the collection sites, MOM's Organic Market or Pike Central Market.
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Montgomery County Pilot Program for food waste recycling:The Montgomery County Recycling and Resource Management Division’s single-family residential curbside food scraps recycling and composting pilot program is underway! This pilot program includes two neighborhoods which have been selected to demonstrate the feasibility of expanding the County's curbside recycling collection program to include collecting food scraps from single-family homes in Montgomery County for recycling.
The County has selected portions of Subdistrict A Service Area 4 in Silver Spring and portions of Subdistrict B Service Area 9 in Potomac to conduct this pilot. The County started collecting food scraps in the Silver Spring pilot area on November 18, 2021. Single-family residents in the Silver Spring pilot area receive weekly food scraps recycling collection service every Thursday. The County started collecting food scraps in the Potomac pilot area on December 7, 2021. Single-family residents living in the Potomac pilot area receive weekly food scraps recycling collection service every Tuesday.
The County has selected portions of Subdistrict A Service Area 4 in Silver Spring and portions of Subdistrict B Service Area 9 in Potomac to conduct this pilot. The County started collecting food scraps in the Silver Spring pilot area on November 18, 2021. Single-family residents in the Silver Spring pilot area receive weekly food scraps recycling collection service every Thursday. The County started collecting food scraps in the Potomac pilot area on December 7, 2021. Single-family residents living in the Potomac pilot area receive weekly food scraps recycling collection service every Tuesday.
For backyard food waste composting, Montgomery County requires the use of a rodent-proof compost bin, with a tight-fitting lid.
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Adding food scraps in an open compost pile or in a compost bin with no lid, is problematic because this attracts rodents and other pests. The compost bins currently provided by the County are designed for composting yard trim, because they are completely open on the top and the bottom and have aerating holes all around the sides. Please keep food scraps out of these bins. During FY22, we are evaluating and testing a variety of compost bins that successfully deter rodents and demonstrate their effectiveness and use. Download our educational materials about backyard composting of food scraps.
**Starting this summer, we will be testing an additional type of backyard food scraps compost bin. We’ve already reached capacity for participation in our next cohort. We will contact all residents who registered to participate regarding the next steps. Thank you for your interest in backyard food scraps composting.** |
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Montgomery County supports backyard yard trim composting:
Compost bins for yard trim materials are available for residents of Montgomery County, Maryland to pick-up at many of our partner compost bin pick-up locations. These compost bins are great for recycling yard trim materials, such as leaves, grass clippings and garden trimmings in your backyard. Over time, organisms in the compost pile consume the organic material, leaving behind a nutrient-rich soil amendment that you can mix in topsoil or potting soil.
For a complete list of our partner compost bin distribution locations, please visit our website.
Compost bins for yard trim materials are available for residents of Montgomery County, Maryland to pick-up at many of our partner compost bin pick-up locations. These compost bins are great for recycling yard trim materials, such as leaves, grass clippings and garden trimmings in your backyard. Over time, organisms in the compost pile consume the organic material, leaving behind a nutrient-rich soil amendment that you can mix in topsoil or potting soil.
For a complete list of our partner compost bin distribution locations, please visit our website.
Plastic Bags and Film
Although plastic film (recycle #2 and 4) are not collected in our weekly home recycling collections, the Shady Grove Transfer Station has a collection site just past, and left of, the hazardous waste collection table at their central location. Here is all the info you need for that:
https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/DepHowDoI/material.aspx?tag=plastic-bags-film&material_key=63
https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/DepHowDoI/material.aspx?tag=plastic-bags-film&material_key=63
Sports Equipment
Level the Playing Field
https://www.levelingtheplayingfield.org/locations/washington-dc/
Address/phone/email: 9170 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 301-844-5620
Email: Washington@levelingtheplayingfield.org
LPF provides sports equipment to over 500 programs working with students in and around Washington DC.
Drop off collection bin: Falls Road Golf Course at 10800 Falls Road, Potomac, MD, at the back of the parking lot.
https://www.levelingtheplayingfield.org/locations/washington-dc/
Address/phone/email: 9170 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 301-844-5620
Email: Washington@levelingtheplayingfield.org
LPF provides sports equipment to over 500 programs working with students in and around Washington DC.
Drop off collection bin: Falls Road Golf Course at 10800 Falls Road, Potomac, MD, at the back of the parking lot.
Musical Instruments
MCPS
https://www.mcpsfoundation.org/pages/our-programs/help-me-make-music-
“The Help Me Make Music campaign wants to give your old instrument a new home in Montgomery County Public Schools.” No pianos or organs. “Useable” instruments preferred, but MCPS will also repair and refurbish instruments. Instruments too damaged to repair are used for spare parts to repair other instruments. The website has the donation form to fill in, as well as an explaination of the process. Drop off location is FITZGERALD HYUNDAI ROCKVILLE, FITZGERALD AUTO MALL - 11411 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852.
Hungry for Music
https://hungryformusic.org/instruments/donate-an-instrument/
Accepts instrument donations in any condition. No pianos or organs. Will repair or refurbish most instruments. If instrument is beyond repair, it is sent to Landfill Harmonic for parts/overhaul or given to artist to create musical instrument art. Donation form is on the website.
Drop off: Contemporary Music Center, 14155 Sullyfield Circle, Chantilly, VA 20151, 703-817-1000 (call ahead)
Pianos for Education
https://pianosforeducation.org/donate-piano/
If you have a piano in their preferred condition, fill in the online form. If your piano is accepted, they will arrange for it to be picked up. https://pianosforeducation.org/piano-donation-process-how-it-works/
https://www.mcpsfoundation.org/pages/our-programs/help-me-make-music-
“The Help Me Make Music campaign wants to give your old instrument a new home in Montgomery County Public Schools.” No pianos or organs. “Useable” instruments preferred, but MCPS will also repair and refurbish instruments. Instruments too damaged to repair are used for spare parts to repair other instruments. The website has the donation form to fill in, as well as an explaination of the process. Drop off location is FITZGERALD HYUNDAI ROCKVILLE, FITZGERALD AUTO MALL - 11411 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852.
Hungry for Music
https://hungryformusic.org/instruments/donate-an-instrument/
Accepts instrument donations in any condition. No pianos or organs. Will repair or refurbish most instruments. If instrument is beyond repair, it is sent to Landfill Harmonic for parts/overhaul or given to artist to create musical instrument art. Donation form is on the website.
Drop off: Contemporary Music Center, 14155 Sullyfield Circle, Chantilly, VA 20151, 703-817-1000 (call ahead)
Pianos for Education
https://pianosforeducation.org/donate-piano/
If you have a piano in their preferred condition, fill in the online form. If your piano is accepted, they will arrange for it to be picked up. https://pianosforeducation.org/piano-donation-process-how-it-works/
Styrofoam
You can recycle your EPS Styrofoam packaging, foam egg cartons, foam take-away containers, and foam trays for meat and other foods! EPS Styrofoam packaging is the pebbly-like Styrofoam—the old standard kind.
The EPS Styrofoam producers have a trade association, the EPS Industry Alliance, which collects Styrofoam in recycling bins and trucks it to a reprocessing center in New England.
· Packaging must be clean and free of tape, plastic film, labels, loose parts, or glued on cardboard.
· Foam egg cartons, takeaway containers, and grocery store trays must be clean, label-free, and grease-free.
EPS Industry Alliance: 1298 Cronson Boulevard, Suite 201, Crofton, MD 21114, USA
Phone: 410.451.8340, Email: dgentilcore@epsindustry.org
Three large dumpster-bins are in the back parking lot and are well-labeled. If you are there during business hours and have too much to fit into the bins, call and let them know you are outside. They will take your recycling directly.
The EPS Styrofoam producers have a trade association, the EPS Industry Alliance, which collects Styrofoam in recycling bins and trucks it to a reprocessing center in New England.
· Packaging must be clean and free of tape, plastic film, labels, loose parts, or glued on cardboard.
· Foam egg cartons, takeaway containers, and grocery store trays must be clean, label-free, and grease-free.
EPS Industry Alliance: 1298 Cronson Boulevard, Suite 201, Crofton, MD 21114, USA
Phone: 410.451.8340, Email: dgentilcore@epsindustry.org
Three large dumpster-bins are in the back parking lot and are well-labeled. If you are there during business hours and have too much to fit into the bins, call and let them know you are outside. They will take your recycling directly.
Socks
Zkano Recycles
You can send your old socks to us at this address:
EMI-G Knitting
Attention: Zkano Recycles
1715 Airport Road
Ft. Payne, AL 35968
You can send your old socks to us at this address:
EMI-G Knitting
Attention: Zkano Recycles
1715 Airport Road
Ft. Payne, AL 35968
Athletic Shoes
RoadRunner, at the corner of Rockville Pike and Rollins Avene, accepts used athletic shoes for recycling.
Paper Shredding
Your shredded paper can go into the county-collected blue paper bin, in a paper bag to prevent shreddings from going all over the street on collection day. However, if you need someone to shred your papers for you, try
Georgetown Paper Recycling Plant 14820 Southlawn Dr, Rockville 301-762-6990
Free paper shredding during business hours: M-F 7AM-2PM
You can also bring empty toner cartridges for recycling to their bin in the warehouse.
They also take wooden pallets, but call ahead and let Nicholas know you are coming.
Georgetown Paper Recycling Plant 14820 Southlawn Dr, Rockville 301-762-6990
Free paper shredding during business hours: M-F 7AM-2PM
You can also bring empty toner cartridges for recycling to their bin in the warehouse.
They also take wooden pallets, but call ahead and let Nicholas know you are coming.
Bikes for the World
Not only bikes, but this organization also takes sewing machines and sewing notions (buttons, zippers, etc.)
11720 Parklawn Dr
Rockville, MD 20852
703-740-7856
bikesfortheworld.org
11720 Parklawn Dr
Rockville, MD 20852
703-740-7856
bikesfortheworld.org
Donating Usable Clothing, Furniture, and other Goods
Friends of the Library Bookstore and Book/Music Donation Center
https://www.folmc.org/bookstores/
Address/Phone/: Randolph Hills Shopping Center (Home to Goodwill & Moti’s Market) 4886 Boiling Brook Parkway. Rockville, MD 20852 / (301) 984-3300
Hours for donation: Sunday through Friday, 12 – 5pm; Saturday 10am -5pm
No VHS, Books on Tape, Encyclopedias (e.g. Britannica, World Book), Condensed Books (e.g. Reader’s Digest), or National Geographic Magazines.
We accept books in good clean sellable condition, in all languages. Please no soiled, water-damaged, broken or cracked spines, missing pages, or strong odors.
Also, textbooks, Magazines (12 months old or newer only); Music in any format (CDs, Vinyl Records, Cassette Tapes); Blu-Ray, DVD, and Laserdisc; Video Games; Comics and graphic novels; Chidren’s Toys, Games, and Puzzles (complete with all pieces); All ages board games and card games (must have all pieces).
If you are donating more than 10 boxes at once, please beforehand. Staff will issue a tax receipt when you drop off. We cannot provide valuations.
Address/Phone/: Randolph Hills Shopping Center (Home to Goodwill & Moti’s Market) 4886 Boiling Brook Parkway. Rockville, MD 20852 / (301) 984-3300
Hours for donation: Sunday through Friday, 12 – 5pm; Saturday 10am -5pm
No VHS, Books on Tape, Encyclopedias (e.g. Britannica, World Book), Condensed Books (e.g. Reader’s Digest), or National Geographic Magazines.
We accept books in good clean sellable condition, in all languages. Please no soiled, water-damaged, broken or cracked spines, missing pages, or strong odors.
Also, textbooks, Magazines (12 months old or newer only); Music in any format (CDs, Vinyl Records, Cassette Tapes); Blu-Ray, DVD, and Laserdisc; Video Games; Comics and graphic novels; Chidren’s Toys, Games, and Puzzles (complete with all pieces); All ages board games and card games (must have all pieces).
If you are donating more than 10 boxes at once, please beforehand. Staff will issue a tax receipt when you drop off. We cannot provide valuations.
A Wider Circle
https://awidercircle.org/get-involved/donate-items/
Address/Phone/Email: 9159 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (located at the corner of Warren Street and Brookville Road); 301-608-3504; furnish@awidercircle.org
“Our goal is to help families start anew with dignity and hope. We accept donations that are in dignity condition: free of rips, stains, or excessive wear, and ready to use. Imagine giving the intended donation to a friend or neighbor – if you would be proud to share it with them, then please share it with us.”
Donation Drop-Off: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Donation Pick-Up: Pick-up service is exclusively for furniture donations that either:
• Include one of our 4 most requested items (mattress and/or boxspring, sofa or upholstered living room chair, dresser, or dining table and/or set of dining chairs).
• Include at least 3 other pieces of furniture, if they do not include one of the four items listed above.
To schedule an in-home or curbside pick-up, or for more information, please contact our In-Kind Donations team at furnish@awidercircle.org. It is helpful if you include a list of the items you plan to donate along with photos.
Goodwill
https://dcgoodwill.org/donation2/goodwill-donation-guidelines/donations-we-can-accept/
Address/Phone: 4816 Boiling Brook Pkwy, 301-881-0744
Goodwill accepts a wide range of items, but “as these items need to be sold to our customers – we, unfortunately, cannot accept items that are broken, damaged or soiled. Certain large items are also likely to be refused.” Note: Items that Goodwill deems too soiled or damaged to sell can sometimes be re-donated by them to other charities or may need to be thrown away. If your items are unlikely to be in sellable condition, consider taking them to the donation bins at the Shady Grove Transfer Station, which are sorted and go to charities or to recycling processing.
College Hunks Hauling offers a priority pick-up service for Goodwill Donations for a fee, which includes additional benefits such as scheduling a pick up within 48-hours, the removal of items from anywhere on your property, the removal of junk and items Goodwill cannot accept; and a $20 discount when you mention Goodwill of Greater Washington. Details at https://dcgoodwill.org/donation2/donation-home-pickups/priority-donation-pick-up/
Clothing and outerwear that is ready to sell: clean and free of stains, tears, pet hairs, and odor. Accessories like shoes, belts, purses, hats, gloves, and ties must also be in good, sellable condition. Linens and Textiles, including area rugs, blankets, and decorative (not sleep) pillows: must be clean, stain- and fray-/rip- free. Housewares, including dishes, cookware, storage containers, exercise equipment, office supplies, decorative objects, medical aids: must be in good and working condition. Electronics: radios, stereos, DVD and VCR players, mP3 players, Flat-screen TVs, and small appliances such as toasters, coffee makers, vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, and portable air conditioners. Must be in good working order and include all cords and cables and other parts necessary for the item to work. Cannot be too large or oversize. Lawnmowers in good working condition, with all parts, and with fuel removed. Art and Antiques and collectibles of any kind “are among the most popular items for our customers, so we’re always on the lookout for new stock.” Books, vinyl records, cassette tapes, CDs, video games, DVD and VHS movies: Books must be in good condition with no names inside the cover. Names must be inked out or the books cannot be sold. Computers and Software: any brand and any condition! Thanks to their recycling program, even broken computers can be donated. Software must be less than two years old. Gaming systems welcomed. Sport and Exercise Equipment: must be undamaged and able to function as intended. Includes bikes, golf clubs, tennis racquets, bowling balls, etc. Treadmills, stationary bikes, free weights, etc. Toys : “Toy donations are incredibly valuable, not due to what they bring in, but because a lot of children rely on the affordable toys provided at our stores. A toy donation will make a child somewhere very happy as well as helping single mothers, young parents, and families struggling to make ends meet.” They accept Toys for babies through teens; Dolls, stuffed animals, sealed games and puzzles; and Baby equipment such as cribs, strollers, and car seats (that meet safety standards).
Interfaith Works Clothing Center (IWCC)
Address/Phone: 751 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20851; 301-762-8682, https://www.iworksmc.org/about-us/programs/interfaith-works-clothing-center-2/
Since 1972, the IWCC has been helping Montgomery County low-income families by providing them with clothing and home goods. “We provide the link between neighbors who have things they no longer need with neighbors who use these items to provide for their basic needs.”
The IWCC accepts “very gently used” clothing, clothing accessories, towels, sheets, and blankets. No socks or underwear unless bought new. They also accept small appliances that are in good working order, and books that are in good condition. Condition is key: if an item is something you would happily give to a friend or neighbor to use, it is probably “very gently used.”
Drop-off hours are Tues-Thurs 9:00-4:30 pm, and Saturdays 9:00-2:00pm.
https://awidercircle.org/get-involved/donate-items/
Address/Phone/Email: 9159 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (located at the corner of Warren Street and Brookville Road); 301-608-3504; furnish@awidercircle.org
“Our goal is to help families start anew with dignity and hope. We accept donations that are in dignity condition: free of rips, stains, or excessive wear, and ready to use. Imagine giving the intended donation to a friend or neighbor – if you would be proud to share it with them, then please share it with us.”
Donation Drop-Off: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Donation Pick-Up: Pick-up service is exclusively for furniture donations that either:
• Include one of our 4 most requested items (mattress and/or boxspring, sofa or upholstered living room chair, dresser, or dining table and/or set of dining chairs).
• Include at least 3 other pieces of furniture, if they do not include one of the four items listed above.
To schedule an in-home or curbside pick-up, or for more information, please contact our In-Kind Donations team at furnish@awidercircle.org. It is helpful if you include a list of the items you plan to donate along with photos.
Goodwill
https://dcgoodwill.org/donation2/goodwill-donation-guidelines/donations-we-can-accept/
Address/Phone: 4816 Boiling Brook Pkwy, 301-881-0744
Goodwill accepts a wide range of items, but “as these items need to be sold to our customers – we, unfortunately, cannot accept items that are broken, damaged or soiled. Certain large items are also likely to be refused.” Note: Items that Goodwill deems too soiled or damaged to sell can sometimes be re-donated by them to other charities or may need to be thrown away. If your items are unlikely to be in sellable condition, consider taking them to the donation bins at the Shady Grove Transfer Station, which are sorted and go to charities or to recycling processing.
College Hunks Hauling offers a priority pick-up service for Goodwill Donations for a fee, which includes additional benefits such as scheduling a pick up within 48-hours, the removal of items from anywhere on your property, the removal of junk and items Goodwill cannot accept; and a $20 discount when you mention Goodwill of Greater Washington. Details at https://dcgoodwill.org/donation2/donation-home-pickups/priority-donation-pick-up/
Clothing and outerwear that is ready to sell: clean and free of stains, tears, pet hairs, and odor. Accessories like shoes, belts, purses, hats, gloves, and ties must also be in good, sellable condition. Linens and Textiles, including area rugs, blankets, and decorative (not sleep) pillows: must be clean, stain- and fray-/rip- free. Housewares, including dishes, cookware, storage containers, exercise equipment, office supplies, decorative objects, medical aids: must be in good and working condition. Electronics: radios, stereos, DVD and VCR players, mP3 players, Flat-screen TVs, and small appliances such as toasters, coffee makers, vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, and portable air conditioners. Must be in good working order and include all cords and cables and other parts necessary for the item to work. Cannot be too large or oversize. Lawnmowers in good working condition, with all parts, and with fuel removed. Art and Antiques and collectibles of any kind “are among the most popular items for our customers, so we’re always on the lookout for new stock.” Books, vinyl records, cassette tapes, CDs, video games, DVD and VHS movies: Books must be in good condition with no names inside the cover. Names must be inked out or the books cannot be sold. Computers and Software: any brand and any condition! Thanks to their recycling program, even broken computers can be donated. Software must be less than two years old. Gaming systems welcomed. Sport and Exercise Equipment: must be undamaged and able to function as intended. Includes bikes, golf clubs, tennis racquets, bowling balls, etc. Treadmills, stationary bikes, free weights, etc. Toys : “Toy donations are incredibly valuable, not due to what they bring in, but because a lot of children rely on the affordable toys provided at our stores. A toy donation will make a child somewhere very happy as well as helping single mothers, young parents, and families struggling to make ends meet.” They accept Toys for babies through teens; Dolls, stuffed animals, sealed games and puzzles; and Baby equipment such as cribs, strollers, and car seats (that meet safety standards).
Interfaith Works Clothing Center (IWCC)
Address/Phone: 751 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20851; 301-762-8682, https://www.iworksmc.org/about-us/programs/interfaith-works-clothing-center-2/
Since 1972, the IWCC has been helping Montgomery County low-income families by providing them with clothing and home goods. “We provide the link between neighbors who have things they no longer need with neighbors who use these items to provide for their basic needs.”
The IWCC accepts “very gently used” clothing, clothing accessories, towels, sheets, and blankets. No socks or underwear unless bought new. They also accept small appliances that are in good working order, and books that are in good condition. Condition is key: if an item is something you would happily give to a friend or neighbor to use, it is probably “very gently used.”
Drop-off hours are Tues-Thurs 9:00-4:30 pm, and Saturdays 9:00-2:00pm.
Donate Usable Building Materials
Habitat for Humanity Restore
https://habitatmm.org/restore/restore.html
Address, email, phone: 1029 East Gude Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, ReStore@HabitatMM.org, 301-926-4104
“Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a nonprofit retail outlet specializing in the resale of quality new and gently used furniture, antiques, appliances and building supplies. By taking in household goods and furniture donations, ReStore diverts tons of reusable materials from our local landfills. ReStore acts as a discount home improvement center as all items are sold to the public at deep discounts and all proceeds are used to fund the building of affordable housing in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.”
For larger items, please contact our ReStore Donations Scheduling Coordinator at, 301-926-4104 to schedule a pick-up.
Address, email, phone: 1029 East Gude Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, ReStore@HabitatMM.org, 301-926-4104
“Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a nonprofit retail outlet specializing in the resale of quality new and gently used furniture, antiques, appliances and building supplies. By taking in household goods and furniture donations, ReStore diverts tons of reusable materials from our local landfills. ReStore acts as a discount home improvement center as all items are sold to the public at deep discounts and all proceeds are used to fund the building of affordable housing in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.”
For larger items, please contact our ReStore Donations Scheduling Coordinator at, 301-926-4104 to schedule a pick-up.
- Appliances less than 10 years old; Dishwashers built after 2012.
- Area rugs under 11 feet in length; new or excellent condition;
- Kitchen Cabinets: complete units, structurally intact, with doors, shelving, racks, etc. Pieces taken on case by case basis
- Furniture: must be in re-sellable condition with no rips, stains, tears. Dining room tables must have chairs
- Household items: must be clean and unbroken; mirrors must be in frames
- Small electric appliances, tools and hardware, lawnmowers and lawn equipment: must be in good working order and have all parts.
- Chandeliers, sconces, table lamps: must be working with all parts
- Lumber, Plumbing, Flooring, and Roofing items may be donated, but check web site for required condition
Second Chance
www.secondchanceinc.org/
Second Chance, Baltimore, will pick up building materials by appointment, including an entire kitchen or bathroom. If you are doing a major remodeling project, you can donate flooring, light fixtures, cabinetry, windows and doors, countertops, working appliances, etc. in one big load. They also sell used building materials in their store.
It's possible to hire a professional appraiser to appraise the items prior to pickup, so that you may recieve a sizeable tax deduction to offset your renovations/remodeling project costs. Note from Emily: we contacted novastarappraisals@gmail.com when we ripped out our kitchen in 2014.
Second Chance, Baltimore, will pick up building materials by appointment, including an entire kitchen or bathroom. If you are doing a major remodeling project, you can donate flooring, light fixtures, cabinetry, windows and doors, countertops, working appliances, etc. in one big load. They also sell used building materials in their store.
It's possible to hire a professional appraiser to appraise the items prior to pickup, so that you may recieve a sizeable tax deduction to offset your renovations/remodeling project costs. Note from Emily: we contacted novastarappraisals@gmail.com when we ripped out our kitchen in 2014.
Community Forklift
communityforklift.org
Community Forklift, architectural salvage store in Kenilworth DC. Donate doors, windows, tile, lumber, granite, cabinetry, and other usable building products. You can also buy usable products at Community Forklift, so it is a donation center and resale center.
Community Forklift, architectural salvage store in Kenilworth DC. Donate doors, windows, tile, lumber, granite, cabinetry, and other usable building products. You can also buy usable products at Community Forklift, so it is a donation center and resale center.
Social Media Networking Reuse Solutions:
- You can give away items for reuse by others on our GFCA listserv by sending an email to main@GFCA.groups.io
- On Facebook, use the BuyNothing group
- Join a local Freecycle group at freecycle.org