For immediate release
New Comprehensive Database Provides Citizens with Options for Donation, Reuse, Repair, Sharing, Selling, Rental, Swapping and More
New York, NY, Nov. 30, 2021 – In an effort to reduce the enormous volume of reusable household items and furnishings thrown in the garbage and sent to landfills, the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board (MSWAB) has published a database covering hundreds of organizations where no-longer-wanted items can be donated, shared, sold or swapped in New York City. This extensive resource is the first of its kind - compiled from many sources - where citizens can learn how to keep usable, good condition items in circulation, and also find great buys for quality items (or get them for free). The database is now available on the MSWAB website, accompanied by an interactive map, to help readers locate these resources. Click HERE to read a brief “Donate, Reuse & Repair” Factsheet. Click HERE to download and explore the full database and map.
According to the Department of Sanitation's (DSNY) Waste Characterization Study*, 77% of the garbage we toss could be recycled or reused (including organic material that could be composted). But our actual NYC recycling rate of these valuable resources is low. The remaining 23% includes furniture and other multi-material products that could be reused or repaired. There is a huge financial and environmental cost to NYC taxpayers ($420M [est] in 2021**) of trucking and disposing all of this usable material to landfills or incinerators in other states. But much of this is not garbage. Countless charities and individuals right here in NYC would be happy to rehome usable things like toys, furniture, clothes, books and so much more.
According to MSWAB Chairman Matt Civello, “Many Zero Waste strategies do not include an all-important element; that of reduction of new materials generated. Keeping things in circulation longer can have a big effect on NYC’s huge trash problem. It helps our environment by trucking less and emitting fewer greenhouse gasses, wasting less, and helps people’s budgets by making needed goods available at lower prices.”
According to the database creator Allison Allen, who is a member of the MSWAB’s Residential Recycling and Reuse Committee, “Just about every New Yorker has walked by a pile of garbage at the curb and seen items that could be reused, but they didn’t know what to do about it. Or they have similar items at home that they don’t want to put in the garbage. We invite them to explore this new resource and help us encourage a culture of sharing and “#sharecycling.” People likely know of the bigger names in donation, but our database includes many more hyper-local or niche organizations that are creative and helpful in finding new homes for usable stuff.”
DONATE
Donate means so much more than giving money. It can also mean sharing good quality items that you no longer want with others in need. We all know the biggest organizations like Goodwill, Salvation Army and Housing Works. But there are many more places listed in this resource that take a wide variety of materials.
FREE STUFF
You can give and get FREE stuff by joining your local Buy Nothing Facebook group or Freecycle, or by posting on Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor and Craigslist where you can either post stuff for free or sell (and buy) secondhand. Look through our list to find other niche options for donating sneakers, pianos, denim, and more - or to sell or consign your no-longer-wanted possessions. Some of these organizations provide “ship for free” options.
FOUND ON THE STREET
Apps like @stoopingnyc and @curbalertnyc allow people to upload photos of furniture and other usable items to alert others who might be interested in picking up these great finds.
DSNY New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) RESOURCES
NYC Multi-Family Buildings can enroll in a free program to collect and keep electronics and textiles out of landfills. DSNY will provide a free bin and collection services.
DSNY also provides a very robust Donation website through their donateNYC program, (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/donate/site/), providing information about donating a wide variety of items. You can also check their calendar for recycling related events, swaps and more.
REPAIR
New attention has been paid to repair as people become aware of the dangers of sending more and more materials to landfills in our “throwaway culture.” Electronics and clothing repair are already on peoples’ radars through E-repair shops and neighborhood tailors and shoemakers. But there are some NYC groups that will repair other items and extend their longevity, such as small appliances that are often simple to repair.
YouTube.com is also a great resource for finding videos to learn how to repair all kinds of things.
RENTAL
There are a number of companies that will rent things needed temporarily. Rent whatever you need and simply return when you are done with it.
SHARING
Many buildings and community centers already have “sharing libraries” for books, toys, small housewares, etc. We also can use local Internet communications for exchange or sale of no-longer-wanted items (BuildingLink, Verizon Concierge, etc.) We encourage readers to propose these options in their own buildings, churches, community centers or neighborhoods.
Other donation options include local homeless and animal shelters, food banks, senior centers and mutual aid organizations. Homeless shelters can often use toiletries, luggage, clothes and toys. Some animal shelters can use old towels, sheets and blankets. Soup Kitchens and food banks are a great place to donate not only food, but also reusable bags and single use plastic utensils from takeout food.
Ms. Allen adds; “We welcome reader comments and suggested additions to our list. Please go to: https://www.manhattanswab.org/suggest-a-resource. We encourage you to share this resource wherever possible and please tag us on Twitter using @Manhattan_SWAB and #sharecyclenyc so we can watch the sharing movement grow!”
The database and fact sheet are publications of the MSWAB’s Residential Recycling and Reuse Committee. NOTE: Organizations listed in the database do not represent endorsements by MSWAB, and MSWAB has no business or affiliation with organizations listed.
ABOUT THE MANHATTAN SOLID WASTE ADVISORY BOARD
The Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board (MSWAB) is a volunteer citizens’ advisory board dedicated to helping NYC achieve its Zero Waste. We advise the Manhattan Borough President, City Council, City Administration and others on policies and programs regarding the development, promotion and operation of the City’s waste prevention, reuse and recycling programs. We are a Board comprised of solid waste management industry, waste reduction and diversion experts, sustainability professionals, and concerned citizens, appointed by the Manhattan Borough President’s Office. We produce two grant programs: the NYC Community Composting Grant and the NYC Reuse and Repair Grant, hold monthly meetings, provide information online about waste reduction and diversion in NYC, and have a number of active committees, all of which are open to the public.
The MSWAB is fiscally sponsored by the Open Space Institute, Inc. as part of its Citizen Action Program. For more information, go to: http://www.manhattanswab.org/
Contacts:
Ellen M. Cooper, MSWAB
Allison Allen
Or e-mail us at ResidentialRecycle@protonmail.com
FOOTNOTES:
*DSNY Waste Characterization Study, 2017, page 11 2017 NYC Waste Characterization Study (cityofnewyork.us)
** **NYC Independent Budget Office Data waste-export-costs-to-rise-as-remaining-marine-transfer-stations-open-march-2017.pdf (nyc.ny.us)
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