Before you throw your unwanted “junk” in the trash, please check out our list of where to recycle or donate your unwanted items. From furniture to clothes to computers, there is a place in Berkshire County that wants your stuff! It may sound cliché, but “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!”

Click chart above for printable version.

#1) Best Buy

Best Buy accepts nearly* All Electronics at NO Charge.

*Exceptions may apply. Recycling is for residents only. Products from businesses and organizations and items that present a health or safety hazard will not be accepted. Limit of three items per household, per day.

Select Massachusetts from the drop-down menu on www.BestBuy.com/recycle to view which products Best Buy will accept in Massachusetts.

Best Buy accepts products from the following categories (visit their website for specifics): TV/Video, Rechargeable Batteries, Audio, Car Audio/Video & GPS, Camera & Camcorders, Mobile Phones & Home Office, Music, Movies, Video Games & Gadgets, Computers, Vacuums, Health & Fitness, and certain home products, even hair dryers and curling irons!

#2) Goodwill

Goodwill accepts new or gently used items in a multitude of categories for resale in Goodwill retail stores. Their Dell Reconnect computer recycling program can responsibly disposes of your “e-waste”.

Goodwill accepts a very extensive list of items. Download the full list here: Donation Guidelines 

Here are the major categories accepted: accessories, books, clothing, collectible antiques, domestics, electronic entertainment equipment, exercise equipment, furniture, giftware, hand tools, small power tools, housewares, jewelry, luggage, outdoor furnishings, seasonal items, sports/outdoor equipment, strollers, toys & games, and vacuums.

“Goodwill also accepts new, nearly new business attire (on hangers please) including casual and dress, shoes and accessories, for the Suit YourSelf, the Goodwill job training program, that provides interview clothing and coaching. Please tag your donation “SUIT YOURSELF”.”

Goodwill accepts any brand of used computer equipment in any condition. Here are the major categories accepted: Monitors, Computers (Desktop & Laptop), Printers, Scanners, Hard Drives (External or Internal), Keyboards, Mice, Speakers, Cords & Cables, Ink and Toner Cartridges, and Software. Contact your local Goodwill to see if the following items are accepted: Televisions, Cell phones, and Tablets. Some electronics may carry a small handling charge for recycling. View the list of items accepted for free.

#3) RadioShack

RadioShack in partnership with Call2Recycle recycles cell phones and rechargeable batteries at no cost. They also offer gift cards for trade-ins when applicable!

RadioShack accepts all wireless phones in any condition and with or without their chargers.

They also recycle rechargeable batteries found in many common household items including those found in laptops, cellphones, cordless phones, digital cameras and camcorders, remote control toys, and two-way radios. Recyclable, rechargeable batteries include those with “the following chemistries: Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Li-ion, Ni-Zn, and Pb, weighing up to 11lbs/5kg per battery”. Alkaline, non-rechargeable lithium or wet-cell batteries are not accepted.

Bring in your electronic device in working condition along with the cords or other original manufacturer’s accessories. RadioShack will appraise your device and offer you a gift card at that value!

#4 ReStore

ReStore welcome donations of:

• Major appliances
• Cabinets
• Counter tops
• Doors
• Windows
• Lumber
• Wooden furniture
• Flooring
• Electrical supplies
• Lighting
• Plumbing supplies
• Kitchen and bath fixtures
• Fencing

ReStore does not accept Fabric upholstered furniture, baby equipment, electronics, bedding and small household goods.

“ReStore accepts new and gently used materials and fixtures in good condition from individuals, contractors, builders, remodeling jobs, retailers, business closeouts and manufacturers. They request that all donations are clean, not missing any parts and in good working order. The items donated to ReStore are tax-deductible contributions.

Once cleaned and priced, they are sold to the public at less than 50% of regular retail prices. Whenever possible, appropriate items are set aside for the construction of Habitat homes. Everything else is sold to their growing number of faithful customers, and income generated funds Central Berkshire Habitat’s mission.”

 #5) Shakespeare & Company

Donate clothing, fabric, paint, tools, and furniture to Shakespeare & Company’s Costume, Prop, and Production departments. They are always looking for materials that they can use to stage their performances!

#6) Staples

Staples offers free recycling options as well as opportunities to obtain rewards or a Staples eCash card to spend in stores or online. Staples accepts ink and toner cartridges for recycling as well as rechargeable batteries and a multitude of electronics.

Items accepted for free recycling (any brand, any condition, even if you purchased it somewhere else):

• Desktop and all-in-one computers
• Laptops, tablets, eReaders
• Monitors
• Desktop printers, copiers, scanners, faxes, multifunction devices
• Shredders
• UPS/battery backup devices (with or without included battery)
• Computer peripherals including mice, keyboards, modems, routers and computer speakers
• Small electronics including mobile phones, MP3 players/iPods, calculators, GPS devices, digital cameras, camcorders and cordless phones
• Digital projectors, CD/DVD/Blu-ray players, gaming devices, A/V receivers, video streaming devices, cable/satellite receivers
• External hard drives and small servers
• Rechargeable batteries (if 11 pounds or less)
• Empty ink and toner cartridges (Get $2 back in Staples Rewards® for each one. Limit 10 cartridges per customer per month. Accepted in store and online.)

Limit 6 items per customer per day.

Staples does not accept: Televisions, Floor model copiers and printers, Appliances, Large servers, Large speakers or speaker systems, Alkaline or lithium batteries (i.e., not rechargeable), Lamps/bulbs

Trade in your old technology in store or online and potentially earn a Staples eCash Card to use on anything in store or online! Learn more about Staples’ technology trade-in here.

Staples Advantage® division  also offers mail–back and pick–up technology recycling solutions for large businesses with 20+ employees.

 

#7) Target

Target accepts cell phones, inkjet cartridges, MP3 players, and #2 & #4 Plastic Bags from residential use for recycling . You may drop them off at the entry to the store.

More Resources:

The Center for EcoTechnology (CET)

The Center for EcoTechnology provides resources relating to the disposal of hazardous waste. Some household substances are considered to be dangerous or potentially harmful to our health or the environment and should be disposed of properly. Here are some examples: oil based paints, spray paint, automotive chemicals, cleaners, rechargeable batteries and mercury bearing products. Visit CET’s events page for collection opportunities. (http://www.cetonline.org/events/)

Pittsfield’s Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) Program

For residents of the city of Pittsfield, there is a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) Program. You may dispose of many items prohibited from curbside collection for a small fee. The drop-off area is located at Covanta Pittsfield, LLC located at 500 Hubbard Avenue. Below is a list of accepted items, but please refer to their website for related fees and more information. http://www.cityofpittsfield.org/city_hall/public_works_and_utilities/pay-as-you-throw_(payt)_program.php

Accepted items: leaf, yard waste, grass & hedge clippings; brush (bundled); tree limbs <4″ in diameter; sinks & toilets (porcelain or steel); microwaves or VCRs, auto tires (17.5 max); oversized or bulky wastes including: mattresses, box springs, sleeper sofas, washers, dryers, stoves, and dishwashers; Freon bearing appliances; shingles, wallboard, plasterboard, roofing materials, insulation; driveway sealer; stumps, logs, masonry, concrete, rubble; auto batteries; 4′ fluorescent tubes

 

If you can’t find what you are looking for here, please contact your city/town offices for more recycling and disposal options!