Do you ever find yourself thinking… how do I get rid of this? Here’s your guide on how to donate locally or dispose of items that shouldn’t go in the trash.
Batteries: Call2Recycle.org partners with local hardware stores, Lowe’s, and the Home Depot and helps you find local drop-off sites. For instance in 22314 you can drop-off batteries at:
- Old Town Hardware – 809 South Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314
- Staples – 3301 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Alexandria, VA 22305
- Lowes – 67850 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, VA 22306
- The Home Depot – 7710 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, VA 22306; 6555 Little River Tpke., Alexandria, VA 22312
Additionally, Mom’s Organic Market (3831 Mt Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22305) also accepts batteries for recycling, and BigGreenBox.com disposes of batteries for a shipping fee.
Bicycles: Bikesfortheworld.org has donation drop-off sites in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Illinois. If you’re in Virginia you can drop-off at one of the locations below:
- Trek Bicycles – 1506 Belle View Blvd., Alexandria, VA 22307
(703-765-8005)
- Trek Bicycles – 1545 North Quaker Ln., Alexandria, VA 22303
(703-820-2200)
- Bikes @ Vienna – 128-A Church St. NW, Vienna, VA 22180
(703-938-8900 or info@bikesatvienna.com)
- Bikenetic – 201 W Jefferson St., Falls Church, VA 22046
(703-534-7433)
- Trek Bicycles – 10937 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030
(703-591-2200)
- Trek Bicycles – 224 Maple Ave East (Rt 123), Vienna, VA 22180
(703-281-2004)
Additionally ibike.org has a list of drop-off locations in various states. Drop-off locations in Virginia include:
- Phoenix Bikes – 4200 S Four Mile Run Dr., Arlington, VA 22204
(703-575-7762)
- VéloCity Bicycle Co-op – 204 S. Union St., Alexandria, VA 22314
(703-835-0558 or john.patterson@me.com)
Expressjunkva.com allows you to book your bike removal online where someone will come pick the bike up for you.
Boats: You can donate your boat to Boatangel.org or Boatswithcauses.org, both of which sell boats and use the proceeds to fund various causes such as food donations and medical operations for people in need.
Building Supplies: Habitat for Humanity has ReStore locations which accept building materials, including windows, doors, flooring, light fixtures, unused lumber, bricks, and fencing. In our area, you can find a HFH ReStore at 869 South Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304.
Cars: To donate a car checkout Junkmycar.com, Vehiclesforveterans.org, Habitat for Humanity, Thearc.org, and Wheelsforwishes.org.
Car Batteries: Many auto parts retailers or repair shops seek out old car batteries as they can use them to make new batteries. Recyclingmybattery.com allows you to search for locations near you by zip code. Donation sites near Alexandria include:
- Advance Auto Parts – 6224 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, VA 22303
(703-768-0455)
- Walmart – 6303 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, VA 22306
(703-253-9901)
- AutoZone – 3705 Mt Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22305
(703-535-5900)
Cardboard Boxes: It’s a great idea to post a free ad on Nextdoor, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist if you have a collection of moving boxes that are in good shape – better that they get reused than recycled… into new boxes.
Car Seats: Volunteer Alexandria offers a list of charities that are in need of car seat donations. As of this writing, the Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington is accepting donations:
- 8426 Kao Circle, Manassas, VA 20110 – Rear Bay Doors
- Donation hours: Monday – Friday 9 am – 3 pm
- 131 West Street, Alexandria
- Donation hours: Daily 9 am – 3 pm
- 1101 Stafford Ave, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
- Donation hours: Monday – Friday 9 am – 3 pm
RecycleYourCarSeat.org has locations in Maryland where you can donate. Or, in the spring and fall Target accepts car seats for recycling.
Clothes: ECHO – Ecumenical Community Helping Others is a nonprofit charity that helps provide food, clothes and financial help to those in the community with short-term emergencies. Check the website for which types of clothes they will and will not accept, it varies based on the season.
- 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield 22150
- Donation hours: Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, Tuesday & Thursday 7 – 9 pm
GreenDrop accepts gently used clothes and home goods. All donations go to a variety of charities, including the American Red Cross, Military Order of the Purple Heart and National Federation of the Blind.
- 13770 Smoketown Road, Woodbridge 22192
- Donation hours: Daily 11 am – 4 pm
Houseware Items: Habitat for Humanity and ALIVE! Alexandria collect donations for furniture, appliances, and houseware items that will go to those in need in our community (see below for items that are and are not accepted).
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- Habitat for Humanity drop-off location: 869 S Pickett St, Alexandria, VA 22304
- Donation hours: Monday – Saturday 9 am – 4 pm
- Habitat for Humanity drop-off location: 869 S Pickett St, Alexandria, VA 22304
- ALIVE! Alexandria drop-off locations: Fairlington United Methodist Church 3900 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 & Sunrise Senior Living of Old Town 400 N. Washington Street
- Donation hours: Daily from 10 am – 3 pm
Items Accepted by Habitat for Humanity:
- Kitchen Appliances that are less than 10 years old with no rust; Dishwashers must be less than 3 years old
- DVD Players; Radios and Digital Flat Screen Televisions
- New carpet, hardwood and tiles
- Cleaned area rugs
- Upholstered furniture that is free of stains, rips or excessive pet hair; Sleeper sofas less than 15 years old; Bookcases (assembled); File cabinets; Small computer desks; Tables with chairs
- Hardware and Tools in working order with no rust
- HVAC/Plumbing supplies less than 2 years old and Water Heaters less than 10 years old
- Kitchen Cabinetry; Wood only and must be complete set with all doors attached and undamaged
- Ceiling fans with all parts and boxed
- Ceiling lighting/fixtures; Chandeliers; Table and floor lamps
- Lumber; 6 feet of longer; must be unused; no scraps
- Exterior doors less than 10 years old; Interior doors; New Windows
Items NOT Accepted by Habitat for Humanity:
- Tube Televisions
- Entertainment Centers and Cabinets for tube televisions
- Mattresses and Bedding
- Upholstered furniture with stains, tears, rips, holes, pet hair
- Most commercial (non-residential) building materials
- Paint and chemicals
- Baseboard heaters and wall heaters
- Garage doors
Houseware Items Accepted by ALIVE! Alexandria:
- Flatware/silverware
- Drinking glasses (nothing alcohol themed, no stemware)
- Queen or twin-size comforters or blankets, clean, no stains or damage.
- Shower curtains and hooks — like new
- Bathroom or kitchen-size trash cans
- Bed pillows — like new
- Table lamps
- Brooms and dust pans
- Medium-size sauce pans and skillets
- Metal or plastic mixing bowls
- Basic cooking utensils — spoons, spatulas, pancake turners, whisks, graters, peelers, manual can openers (no specialty or novelty items)
Houseware Items NOT Accepted by ALIVE! Alexandria:
- Coffee or tea cups
- Oven bakeware (cookie sheets, roasting pans, cupcake pans, pie tins, cake pans, loaf pans — we can use glass/Pyrex 13×9 or square oven casserole dishes)
- Decorative items
- Serving dishes (unless part of a complete set of dishes)
- Bowls smaller than cereal/soup bowls
- China
Office Materials: TrueShred Secure Document Destruction accepts common office paper, paper clips, staples and binders into the containers. There is a charge.
Paint Cans: Yuckoldpaint.com is a safe eco-friendly paint can removal service. They pick up paint, common household chemicals, and expired or unused hand sanitizer. There is a charge.
Pianos: The Beethoven Foundation collects pianos to donate to piano-less people around the country as well as to sell to fund projects such as music scholarships. You can also try out Pianoadpotion.com which matches people who have unwanted pianos with those in need of pianos. Donators post a photo/description and arrange delivery with the receiver. Additionally Freecycle.org will accept pianos.
Any item unable to be donated can be recycled or properly disposed of by 123 Junk. There is a charge.
