How many times have you moved, cleaned out a garage or closet, reorganized a pantry, or rearranged a room and ended up with a pile of stuff that you no longer want or need? We’ve all been there and half the time most of us have no idea what to with our new found pile of… well junk. To us at least. So how do you decide whats junk, what’s garbage, and what can be given a second life? We’ve put together a guide to help you sort that pile as well as a list of local organizations that you can use to get that pile out of your house.
Sorting The Pile
Step one is dividing your pile into parts. Those parts might include:
Regular Trash: diapers, pet waste, any cups or packaging with a wax coating, fluorescent light bulbs, soiled cardboard, juice boxes, food pouches, chip bags, hoses, wire, sheet glass, tissues/personal care waste
Hazardous Materials: Batteries, paint, medical waste, building materials, propane or gas containers, car parts, scrap metal, tires, fluorescent light bulbs
Regular Recycling: paper, cards, junk mail, magazines, egg cartons, flattened cardboard boxes, plastic or glass bottles, jars and containers, and even foil. Items should be as clean from food waste as possible
Specialty Recycling: Damaged clothing or textiles, plastic wrap, film and bags, styrofoam, polystyrene, clamshells, flexible packaging, lids, pill bottles, cork, used appliances, electronics, craft supplies.
Other: Gently used clothing, shoes, books, household items, craft supplies, non expired foods, jewelry, furniture, hygiene items, home decor, working electronics, pet supplies
Once you have your piles mapped out you can start identifying what to do with it. Regular trash and recycling can go out to the curb! For the rest we’ve put together a list to help you make sure your items find the right home. If we missed something and you need help figuring out what to do with it let us know in the comments! Please note that each organization in bold is a clickable link to their donations or drop off page so you can get the most up to date information before you commit!
Books, Electronics, and Crafts
SMART Reading: A local organization committed to helping improve literacy for Oregon youth. They volunteer at schools throughout the state reading with children and bringing books for them to keep.
What to donate: New and gently used children’s books
Where to donate: 1915 NE 7th Ave, Portland, OR 97212 – Mondays through Thursdays 9 am – 5 pm
Free Geek: Their mission is to sustainably reuse technology, give digital access to everyone and provide education to the community.
What to donate: Good working condition laptops that are 8 years old or newer as well as old tech such as phones, computers, and tablets that can either be recycled or refurbished. Companies can also arrange to make large donations of used tech.
Where to donate: SE Portland. 1731 SE 10th Avenue Portland, OR 97214 – Wednesday- Saturday 11am-4pm
Scrap PDX: Scrap is an arts and crafts reuse store and donation center that also provides educational opportunities for the community. They strive to eliminate waste by providing educational programs and materials to the community.
What to donate: Generally accept donations of craft supplies, containers, paint, glue, jewelry, masking tape, paper bags with handles, scissors, magazines and books, fabric, gift wrap, media, paper, sewing supplies, and vintage postcards, photos and magazines. Check out their website for their current list of items they are accepting.
Where to donate: 1736 SW Alder St- Fridays from 11am-2pm OR book an appointment online which can be scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11am-3pm.
Gently Used Adult Attire, Home Goods, Furniture & Food
William Temple House: William Temple House offers food, counseling, clothing, and household items to our Portland-area neighbors. All proceeds from the sale of your donations help William Temple House support people in our community through mental health counseling and emergency assistance programs.
What to donate: gently used adult clothing, jewelry, accessories, and shoes, media, household items, some electronics, and furniture. They also accept food donations for unopened, not expired items. Check their website for donation guidelines as well as their wishlist of most desired items.
Where to donate: 2230 NW Glisan Street – Thrift Store donation dock is open Tuesday–Sat 10am–6pm Sundays- 11am–6pm
Items eligible for pick up: Large donations have the option to schedule a pick-up for a $25-45 fee.
Impact NW: Impact NW is a nonprofit organization that offers help to families and individuals throughout the community that face housing insecurity. Their programs serve all ages and aim to help people live a more beautiful life.
What to donate: They accept a large variety of household items such as non perishable food items, flashlights, batteries, linens, toilet paper and other hygiene items, pet food, fans, umbrellas, cleaning supplies, pots, pans, utensils, socks, first aid items, lightbulbs, and rugs and mats.
Where to donate: Dancing Tree Family Center, 10055 E Burnside, Portland, OR 97216.
Portland Rescue Mission: The Portland Rescue Mission has been helping people struggling with hunger, home insecurity, and addiction since 1949. Their work is aimed at giving hope and restoring people’s lives.
What to donate: They are accepting donations of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing in good condition, twin blankets, unused travel size toiletries, new underwear, new bras and socks, coats, hats, gloves, backpacks, unused hair products, unused women’s and men’s toiletries, and unused deodorant. They also accept food donations such as coffee, fruit, vegetables and bottled water.
Where to donate: 111 W. Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97209 open 24/7
Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that takes donations and resells the donations to fund their affordable housing projects that support the community. All donations are tax deductible.
What to donate: Gently used clean clothing of all sizes for men, women and children, gently used shoes, gently used jewelry and accessories, new or gently used in good working condition kitchen and laundry appliances, like-new cabinet sets, like-new doors of all kinds, fully assembled exercise equipment and bikes in good condition, fasteners & hardware in boxes, new flooring, furniture that is new or gently used and complete with all parts, dishes and cookware in good condition, lawn and garden equipment that is in good working condition, and tools & equipment that are in good working condition. Clothing is only accepted at the Gresham location.
Where to donate: 610 NE 181st Ave, Gresham, Wednesday- Monday starting at 10am-5:45 pm. They also have locations on the Westside in Beaverton as well as SE Portland.
Items eligible for pick-up: All items listed above are eligible for scheduling a pick-up donation. There is a $40 fee for residential pick-ups. All items must be put at the end of the driveway, or curbside.
Kids and Baby Stuff
With Love: Their mission is to support the needs of kids in foster care and the families that help them in the community. Donations go directly to these kids & their families.
What to donate: They accept donations of toddler & kid sized clothing, shoes, baby gear, new diapers and baby wipes, bedding, toys, new toiletries and care items, diaper bags and backpacks, new socks and underwear, swimsuits, dress up costumes, and books. All items must be in new and like-new condition. They also accept unassembled cribs, but ask that you schedule a drop off time for donating that type of large item. Check out their website for more donation guidelines and their biggest needs.
Where to donate: 14555 SW 74th Ave Tigard, OR 97224- Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11am-1pm
Pet Supplies
Oregon Humane Society: OHS is an animal welfare organization that offers many different services such as pet adoption, training, veterinary care and disaster response to the community. They strive to create a world where all animals are treated with compassion, kindness and respect. Donations support their animal shelter and animal adoption program.
What to donate: They accept new or gently used leashes, collars, bowls, toys, litter boxes, litter, pet food that is in original packaging, and Kuranda pet beds by donating through Kuranda’s website which is linked on the OHS website. Check out their website for more information about donations.
Where to donate: 1067 NE Columbia Blvd Portland, OR 97211 OR 4246 Turner Rd SE Salem, OR 97317 – 10am-6pm daily.
Specialty Trash and Recycling
Metro: Some items cannot be donated or thrown with your usual curbside garbage and recycling. Metro offers garbage, recycling, and hazardous waste disposal service for the Portland community at two different dump sites.
What they accept: They accept aluminum, appliances, batteries, flat corrugated cardboard, intact electronics, rinsed glass bottles and jars, magazines and catalogs, metal, motor oil, gas powered lawn mowers, newspaper, paint, paper, plastic milk jugs, plastic tubs, and tin cans.
Where: Metro Central location at 6161 NW 61st Ave in Portland or Oregon City (2001 Washington St.) The transfer station is open 8am-5pm daily and their household hazardous waste station is open 9am to 4pm Monday through Saturday.
Prides Recycling Depot: A privately owned waste management company. Pride provides specialty recycling services at their dop off location in Sherwood.
Items that can be dropped of for free: Computer monitors, laptop computers, and televisions, Computer towers, keyboards, and mice, Printers, ink cartridges, and car batteries, Cell phones and cameras, hot water heaters, microwaves, stoves, grills, lawn mowers, film plastics(bags, bubble wrap), #1 PET Clamshell plastics (must be clear and hinged on one side), empty fire extinguishers
Items that are accepted for a fee: Fax machines, uninterruptible power sources (UPS) and, battery backups, DVD and VHS players (VCRs), video recorders, and portable radios, home batteries, freon-containing appliances (e.g. refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, water coolers), dishwashers, fluorescent light bulbs, commingled items: tin, scrap paper, magazines, newspaper, bottles made of plastic #1 (PETE) and plastic #2 (HDPE) (please note that the bottle’s neck must be smaller than the body), Styrofoam: block styrofoam only, no packing peanuts, #6 plastics, fire extinguisher (not empty)
Where to drop: 3910 SW Tualatin Sherwood Rd, Monday-Friday, 8:00am-12pm, 1pm-4:30pm
Junk Removal Services: There are plenty of companies that offer hauling away your big items, like furniture, that cannot be donated, recycled or fit in your regular trash can. Here are some with high ratings that will get the job done for you.
First is a family owned company called Show Us Your Junk. They are based in Sherwood, but service around the Portland area. If you are close to them you will pay a lower fee, but they boast that they are fast, offer free estimates, reliable and give a fair price. Head over to their website to book a service with them.
Another good company to use is College Hunks Junk Removal. They service all of the Portland metro area, and offer free estimates and low prices to haul away your items. They accept large furniture, appliances, carpeting, mattresses, scrap metal, and more. They will try to recycle or donate what they pick up, if possible. They also offer same day or next day pick up
It maybe tempting to just throw your whole pile out in the bin, but with so many great options around town to take the things you no longer need we hope that this guide gives you the inspiration you need to recycle responsibly! Please note the hours, availability and even locations may change! Each bolded title is a clickable link for that organizations donation or drop off page so you can be sure get the most up to date info before making or scheduling a trip. Have a category we missed that you need? Or a favorite place to donate your items not on this list? Let us know in the comments!
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