Donating & Recycling Unwanted Items
In this article:
Eugene/Springfield
Donating
UO ROSE Room
The ROSE Room, located at 182 Prince Lucien Campbell Hall, can accept limited donations of office and school supplies, clothing, and homewares. These items are offered for free to the UO community. Email sscreusables@uoregon.edu to ask if they can accept your donation.
Give Before You Go
The Give Before You Go program at UO allows students to donate items they no longer need, such as clothing, furniture, and household items, before moving out. These items are then given to local non-profit organizations to help those in need.
Habitat for Humanity Restore
Restore accepts donations of furniture, working appliances, undamaged lumber, lawn and garden tools, paint cans, tools, and more. For larger items, they also have a pickup service available.
Goodwill
Goodwill will generally accept donations of clothing, shoes, books, accessories (handbags, belts), dishes, furniture in good condition, household decorations, small appliances including vacuum cleaners, and consumer electronics including alarm clocks.
St. Vincent De Paul
Similar to Goodwill, St. Vincent De Paul accepts donations of various items such as clothing, bedding, books, electronics, household items, furniture, appliances, and even vehicles.
Buy Nothing Facebook Groups
On Facebook, search “Buy Nothing [Your City]” and find the group for your neighborhood. You can list items in good condition that you would like to give away, choose the recipient, and choose how you would like to get the item to them (usually porch pickup).
Recycling
UO Zero Waste Program
The Zero Waste Program is a sustainability initiative that aims to reduce waste on campus and promote environmentally friendly practices. The program accepts a wide range of materials, including paper, cardboard, cans, bottles, and electronics. They also accept food and yard waste for composting, including fruits and vegetables, coffee grounds, and yard trimmings.
Lane County Transfer Stations
With many locations throughout Lane County, transfer stations provide recycling and disposal services for a variety of items. For a comprehensive list of acceptable items and locations, visit the website.
Next Step Recycling
Next Step welcomes a wide variety of electronic items, from computers, to Christmas lights, to appliances like microwaves.
Next Step refurbishes everything they can, and has a strict no landfill policy, so all obsolete/non-repairable items are recycled with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) approved processors.
Lane County Hazardous Waste
Anything with a caution label that reads Danger, Warning, Flammable or Caustic can become a dangerous pollutant to groundwater and streams when not handled properly. For leftover or unwanted products such as batteries, light bulbs, cleaning products, paint, prescription drugs, and electronics, contact Lane County's Hazardous Waste Collection Center for safe disposal.
Portland
Donating
Portland Rescue Mission
Portland Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization that provides meals, shelter, and recovery services to people in need in Portland, OR. They accept a variety of items, including new or gently used clothing, bedding, toiletries, and non-perishable food items. Donations can be dropped off at their locations in Portland or arranged for pickup through their website.
Total Reclaim
Total Reclaim specializes in the safe and responsible disposal of electronic waste, including computers, televisions, and other electronic devices. They also accept appliances, batteries, light bulbs, and other household items. Donations can be dropped off at their facility in Portland or arranged for pickup through their website.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army provides a variety of services to people in need, including food, shelter, and emergency assistance. They accept a wide range of items, including clothing, furniture, household goods, and electronics.
Blanchet House
Blanchet House provides meals, shelter, and other services to people experiencing homelessness in Portland. They accept donations of clothing, shoes, and other items that are in good condition.
Habitat for Humanity Restore
Restore accepts donations of furniture, working appliances, undamaged lumber, lawn and garden tools, paint cans, tools, and more. For larger items, they also have a pickup service available.
Goodwill
Goodwill will generally accept donations of clothing, shoes, books, accessories (handbags, belts), dishes, furniture in good condition, household decorations, small appliances including vacuum cleaners, and consumer electronics including alarm clocks.
Recycling
Metro Central Transfer Stations
Metro City Transfer Stations, located throughout Portland, accept a variety of materials, including cardboard, paper, glass, metal, and plastic. They also accept hazardous waste materials, such as paint, batteries, and electronics. Additionally, they offer recycling programs for appliances, mattresses, and other bulky items.
Calbag Metals Company
Calbag Metals Company is a metal recycling facility that accepts aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel, and other types of metal. They also accept electronic scrap and other materials containing precious metals. They also offer competitive prices for the materials they accept.
Green Century Electronic Recycling
Green Century Electronic Recycling is an electronic waste recycling company that accepts a wide variety of electronic devices, including computers, laptops, cell phones, and televisions. They also accept batteries, light bulbs, and other electronic components.