Moving can generate a lot of waste. But thankfully, in New York City there are many organizations and resources for minimizing waste and donating to give your unwanted items a second (or third, or fourth…) life.
ONLINE
- Look for local “freecycle” and “buy nothing” groups on Facebook for ongoing donations.
- Hubbub – a service that helps college students rent items for however long they’re needed.
CITYWIDE
- DSNY Clothing and Textile Drop-off – a map of collection bins for acceptable clothing and textiles – If you live in a residence hall, you may have a refashionNYC textile collection bin in your building. Make donation a regular practice (and don’t just wait until move out!).
- donateNYC – an online portal that lists donation centers and second-hand shops by material type and location.
- NYC Community Fridges – a map of locations of community fridges that accept food donations.
- NYC Mutual Aid – a list of local mutual aid groups and other community organizations that accept donations.
- Helpsy – a textile collection company with several public drop-off bins and a home pickup service.
- Wearable Collections – a textile collection company that is currently hosting weekly drop-offs at five greenmarkets across the city.
LOCAL TO WASHINGTON SQUARE
- Goodwill Donation Centers
Accepted items: Clothing, jewelry, accessories, furniture, household goods, books
Locations: 44 W 8th St, 220 E 23rd St, 103 W 25th St, 7 W 14th St. - GrowNYC Textile Collection- Tompkins Square Greenmarket
Accepted items: Clothing
Location: Ave A and East 7th St (Sunday 9:00am-1:00pm) - Housing Works Thrift Shop
Accepted items: Clothing, jewelry, accessories, furniture, household goods, art, books (max 2 boxes per person)
Locations: 130 Crosby St (does not accept furniture), 143 W 17th St, 245 W 10th St (does not accept furniture), 157 E 23rd St - Strand Books
Accepted items: Books in good condition
Location: 828 Broadway (Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm) - The Salvation Army Store & Donation Center
Accepted items: Clothing, furniture, household goods, appliances, books
Locations: 112 4th Ave, 120 West 14th St, 208 E 23rd St - The Salvation Army New York Temple Corps
Accepted items: Food
Location: 132 W 14th St
LOCAL TO DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN
- Big Reuse
Accepted items: Clothing, furniture, household goods, appliances, books
Location: 1 12th St, Brooklyn - Goodwill Donation Centers
Accepted items: Clothing, jewelry, accessories, furniture, household goods, books
Location: 258 Livingston Street, Brooklyn - The Salvation Army Store & Donation Center
Accepted items: Clothing, furniture, household goods, appliances, books
Location: 436 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn - Out of the Closet
Accepted items: Clothing, jewelry, accessories, furniture, household goods, books
Location: 475 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn - Xavier Mission
Accepted items: Clothing, non-perishable food
Location: 475 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn
The list was created on May 3, 2021 — please email sustainability@nyu.edu if you have a suggested addition.