Category: Earth Day

With a little planning you can donate and recycle most everything that might otherwise end up on the curb. 

Every spring and summer, thousands of students move out of apartments all over Philadelphia. Unfortunately, this process creates a lot of trash and can negatively impact our neighbors.  

But here’s the good news–it doesn’t have to be that way! There are so many resources available here in Philadelphia. With just a little bit of planning, you can have a positive impact on the environment and your community. 

Furniture Donation

To successfully donate your furniture, it will take a little bit of planning. Some of the resources below offer pick-up services and request that you book an appointment a minimum of a week in advance. Others require you to drop off your donations at the location.  

Looking to maximize your impact? See if your neighbors have furniture to donate as well. 

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Habitat ReStores are independently owned reuse stores operated by local Habitat for Humanity organizations.

ReStores are not like other thrift stores. The sales from donated items help Habitat for Humanity partner with local families to build, rehabilitate and repair safe and affordable homes in our community.

How to donate: You can schedule donation pick-up by visiting Habitat for Humanity’s booking portal and selecting “Schedule a Pickup” and completing the online donation form.

You can also drop off in-person directly at their ReStore location (2318 Washington Ave.) Monday-Saturday from 10am-4pm or Sunday from 12pm to 4pm. 

Cost: Free

Goodwill Donation Center 

This national non-profit provides education, job training and career services that help individuals faced with barriers to become competitively employed. 

How to donate: Goodwill of Southern New Jersey & Philadelphia offers free pick up of up to five bags or boxes picked up by a courier at your home. Click here to visit their scheduling portal.

Goodwill also accepts furniture and other household item donations via direct drop off at their donation centers and stores. Click here for directions. 

Cost: Free for up to 5 bags or boxes weighing less than 50 pounds each. Large to extra large items such as furniture require a nominal fee payment.

Philadelphia Furniture Bank 

The Philadelphia Furniture Bank (PFB) furnishes more than 1,400 homes annually for Philadelphians exiting homelessness.  

How to donate: PFB offers pickups via Good Haul, with whom they share a warehouse. Click here to learn more and to schedule a pick-up. 

Drop offs to their warehouse (3650 I Street) are also welcome Monday-Friday from 10am-2pm. More information on their drop off procedures can be found here.

Cost: Minimum fee of $99 for pick up. Drop offs are free.

Clothing Donation 

After swapping or selling your clothes, donation is the next best thing. Most of the resources require you to bring your donations directly to the store. Luckily all are just a short distance and accessible via SEPTA. 

Circle Thrift 

Circle Thrift sells items at a reduced price to members of Fishtown, Kensington, and South Philadelphia. 

How to donate: Drop off only. They accept donations (including clothing as well as electronics, furniture and home furnishings) Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00pm to 5:00pm at their Frankford Avenue location. Click here for directions. 

Cost: Free 

Philly Aids Thrift 

This non-profit supports local charities by taking donations and selling them at their thrift store. Proceeds are distributed to local organizations involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 

How to donate: Drop off only. They accept donations (including clothing as well as electronics, furniture and home furnishings) Tuesday-Saturday from 12pm-7pm. Click here for directions. 

Cost: Free 

Retrievr 

Retrievr is a pickup service that diverts waste from landfills by recycling or re-selling unwanted clothing and electronics. 

How to donate: Schedule a pickup here. 

Cost: $10 or less and sometimes free