Upcycling Donation Policy & Guidelines


Materials must be CLEAN (no odors, mildew, mold, grease, or grime) and in usable condition.

All donations are subject to staff approval based on size and space limitations.

Review the following list of Items We Generally Accept (and limits on what we accept):

This list is not comprehensive. It is designed to give you an idea of the materials that we accept.


All items are accepted at staff’s discretion.

Paper: various paper products, types of papers, and paper related things

  • Standard copy paper (plain, colored, cardstock, etc.),
  • Scrapbooking paper, paper packs and pads, paper embellishments,
  • Letterhead, watercolor paper, drawing pads,
  • Construction paper, butcher paper (rolls),
  • Poster board, paper sample books, maps, calendars (new and used),
  • Magazines, picture books, magazines,
  • Postage stamps, blueprints,
  • Cardboard Tubes
  • Playing cards and board games
  • Stickers

Fabric, Fibers, and Notions: Fabric for art, craft, and DIY home projects. Notions are items used in sewing projects

  • Fabric yardage
  • Thread, string, and Yarn (ball or skein, leftovers, granny squares, unfinished pieces,)
  • Notions: zippers, buttons, beads, needles, pins, trim, lace, ribbon, velcro, leather, knitting needles, crochet hooks, patterns, etc.

Artist’s Mediums: paints, drawing mediums, and tools for fine arts and artist projects

  • Paint – watercolor, acrylic, oil, tempera (not dried out),
  • Paint brushes, squeegees, rollers, carving tools, stencils, transfer letters and numbers.
  • Pastels, glitter, glue, chalk, ink, stamps and pads,
  • Canvas (used or unused), art process equipment
  • NO spray paints or house paints

Craft Supplies: general craft supplies

  • Pom poms, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, wine corks, sequins, doll making materials,
  • Stickers, patches, embellishments,
  • Magnets, pins,
  • Scrapbooking supplies, albums, containers (accepted based on current space available)
  • Candle butts and leftover wax
  • Sea shells (clean)

Mat Board, Framing, Sign Making: frame and DIY supplies

  • Mat board (6” X 6” and larger, cut and uncut),
  • Foam core (with or without something printed on them),
  • Frames (with or without glass, NO broken glass),
  • Mat board corner samples, frame corner samples,
  • Acrylic, plexiglass, corrugated plastic, sign board, adhesive vinyl
  • Yard signs, frames and all

Architecture/Design/Home: DIY home improvement supplies

  • Carpet samples (12”x12” or larger), Formica samples,
  • Wallpaper books, tile,
  • Paint chip samples, mosaic/ceramic pieces,
  • Fabric books, fabric swatches (6”x6” or larger),
  • Wood samples (1’ square or smaller), laminate samples

Samples accepted based on current space available

School & Office Supplies: general office supplies

  • Pens, pencils, erasers, markers, crayons, chalk, rulers, scissors, hole punches, staplers, staples, staple removers, tape, calculators, rubber bands, paperclips, envelopes,
  • File folders (manila, pocket and hanging), file tabs, dividers, transparencies (unused),
  • Binders (3-ring and others,)

Media/Tech: reusable media or tech for projects

  • CDs (new, used), floppy disks, records, DVDs (new, used) VHS tapes, video cases (VHS & DVD) – accepted based on current space available
  • Film canisters, photographs, slide projectors or overhead projectors, slides, telephone wire, wire
  • Vintage equipment or media
  • Old computers, monitors, (NO CRT screens,) keyboards, mice, trackballs, printers, (No ink or toner cartridges,) media players, other set-top boxes (will all be responsibly recycled, if not used)

Jewelry: for making jewelry or completed jewelry

  • Beads & jewelry making materials, tools, containers, and displays,
  • Jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, brooches)

Floral: for making floral designs or decorations

  • Fake flowers, pine cones, faux grass,
  • Floral foam, floral wire, floral design tools
  • Wreath forms, baskets, flowerpots
  • Silica packets- unopened

Party/Seasonal

  • Wrapping paper, tissue paper
  • Bubble wrap, gift bags, ribbons and bows
  • Party decorations, streamers, tablecloths, balloons and weights, miscellaneous party supplies
  • Greeting cards and holiday cards, and envelopes
  • Trophies, metals, placards,
  • Various holiday themed items, decorations, ornaments, and holiday craft kits.

Metal: bits and pieces for craft projects

  • Clean & unbent bottle caps, tins, keys,
  • Ornate metal fixtures (doorknobs, hooks, etc.),
  • Uncoated wire,
  • Broken jewelry
  • Clean nuts, bolts, washers, grommets, widgets

Wood: bits and pieces for craft projects

  • Wood craft pieces
  • Small blocks and boards. (NO nails, staples, or pressure-treated)
  • Clean chopsticks

Plastics: bits and pieces for craft projects

  • Plastic straws, bottle caps, plastic craft pieces
  • Small plastic figures and figurines
  • LEGOs and other building system pieces
  • Meeples and other game tokens
  • Plastic eggs

Containers

  • Baby food jars with lids, mason jars (all must be clean),
  • Organizing bins of various sizes
  • CLEAN/UNUSED Food containers or Tupperware still intact–with lids

All items are accepted at staff’s discretion.


Materials that We DO NOT accept:

  • Carpet
  • House paint
  • Household or kitchen appliances
  • Stuffed toys
  • Furniture, large items
  • Printer ink or toner cartridges
  • Kitchen gear, pots and pans, cutlery,
  • Plastic utensils
  • Broken glass, dishware, ceramics
  • No food–including dried beans and macaroni–for crafts
  • Packing peanuts – bring them to a shipping store
  • Artist chemicals that are not in original labeled packaging
  • Glass
  • Ceramic or rubber tile

Please note:

We occasionally get overloaded with items that we would normally accept and can no longer take them until we clear some inventory space.

Please review the regularly updated Items We Accept info, above, before donating.

FOR DONATIONS LARGER THAN 100 LBS. PLEASE SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.

Larger donations can take up valuable space and extra time to process, so planning is helpful for reuse centers.

DO NOT ABANDON OR LEAVE DONATIONS WITHOUT STAFF/VOLUNTEER APPROVAL

Unapproved donations become trash and will not help reuse –if we cannot accept, or a donation is left outside, exposed to the weather (rain, heat, damage, etc.), then all items can become trash and the reuse center becomes responsible for disposal.

OTHER LOCAL REUSE OPTIONS

Contact the relevant organization or consult their website before dropping off your materials.

Check out The OWU Recycling Connection

See Keep Delaware County Beautiful

Last updated 6/17/2024