Where Do I Take This? Part 2: Even More Places to Donate, Recycle & Rehome Your Stuff!
It has been a few months since my first "Where Do I Take This?" blog post, and since then, I've been reminded of and come across SO many more places that accept items
you might otherwise throw away!
One of the biggest challenges I see when working with clients is figuring out what to do
with the things they no longer need. It's easy to say, "I want to get rid of this", but sometimes the next question is, "Where does it go?"
Just because something no longer serves a purpose in your home doesn't mean it belongs in the trash! There are so many wonderful local organizations, nonprofits, and businesses that can give your unwanted items a second life. Some items can help families in need, others can support important community programs, and some can be recycled and kept out of the landfill.
If you missed my original post, be sure to check it out here: Where Do I Take This?
And now, here are 15 MORE places to consider before tossing something in the trash!
Where to Donate, Recycle & Rehome Your Items
1. Kids' Clothing and Baby Items (Including Cribs and Unexpired Carseats) –
Helping Hand Me Downs
Have gently used children's clothing, baby equipment, or other baby essentials taking
up space? Helping Hand Me Downs is a great resource for giving these items another life and helping families in our community. Before donating baby equipment, be sure to check their current acceptance guidelines, particularly for cribs and other safety-related items.
2. Adult and Teen Clothing & Formal wear – Refresh
Refresh, benefiting the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition, is a great option for adult and teen clothing. This is especially helpful for those dressier pieces that might otherwise sit in the back of your closet. Think formal dresses, suits, dress clothes, and other items that could help kids in the foster system feel confident at homecoming and prom events.
3. Unexpired Food (Including Glass Jars) – Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry
Have extra pantry items you aren't going to use? Maybe you bought something for a recipe that never happened, received a fancy condiment as a gift, or accidentally ordered duplicates through Instacart. Rather than letting those items expire in your pantry, consider donating them!
The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry accepts unexpired food donations, including items in glass jars. It's a great reminder that decluttering your pantry can benefit someone else, too.
4. Furniture and Décor – Home Sweet Home
Getting ready to downsize, redecorate, or clear out a spare room? Home Sweet Home is a wonderful resource for donating furniture and home décor. Your unwanted furniture could help someone create a comfortable and welcoming home of their own.
This is a particularly great option when you're replacing furniture but your existing pieces still have plenty of life left in them. They also have a pick up options for furniture too large to fit in your car.
5. Election Yard Signs – Olivette Community Center (Five Oaks)
With election season comes A LOT of yard signs! Instead of tossing them in the trash after the election, look for opportunities to recycle them.
Olivette Community Center (Five Oaks) will be collecting election yard signs for recycling November 3–9, 2026.
Mark your calendar and spread the word to your neighbors!
6. Broken Holiday Lights – Olivette Community Center (Five Oaks)
Do you have a tangled box of holiday lights that no longer work? You know the ones you've been holding onto because you might be able to fix them someday?
Here's your opportunity to finally let them go!
Olivette Community Center (Five Oaks) will be collecting broken holiday lights in its lobby November 15, 2026–January 15, 2027. No need to keep storing those strands that haven't lit up in years!
7. Wire Hangers – Local Dry Cleaners
If you have a collection of wire hangers taking up space in your closet, check with your local dry cleaner. Many will reuse wire hangers rather than having them go to waste.
I know for certain that American Cleaners will take them. It's an easy way to clear out some closet clutter while giving those hangers another use.
8. Worn-Out Athletic Shoes – Fleet Feet
Not every pair of shoes is in good enough condition to donate, but that doesn't mean they automatically belong in the trash!
Fleet Feet accepts worn-out athletic shoes at all of its St. Louis locations. So, the next time you're replacing your running shoes or cleaning out your shoe closet, consider bringing your old athletic shoes along.
9. Stuffed Animals – Stuffed Animals For Emergencies (SAFE)
Have a collection of stuffed animals your kids have outgrown? Or perhaps you've accumulated more plush toys than your family could ever possibly use?
Stuffed Animals For Emergencies (SAFE) collects stuffed animals and distributes them to help comfort children dealing with traumatic or emergency situations.
What a wonderful way to give a beloved stuffed animal a new purpose and potentially
bring a little comfort to a child who needs it.
10. Craft and Office Supplies – Leftovers, Etc.
If you have extra craft supplies, art materials, or office supplies, check out Leftovers,
Etc.! This organization helps keep usable materials out of the landfill by making them
available for creative reuse.
This is a great place to consider before tossing those leftover school project supplies,
extra craft materials, or office items you no longer need.
They have a detailed list of accepted donations on their website, so be sure to check
before loading up your car.
Website: https://www.leftoversetc.com/donate/
11. Pianos – Pianos for People
Have a piano that is no longer being used? Before you consider paying to have it hauled away, check out Pianos for People!
Their mission is to make music accessible by connecting people with pianos and music education. They accept donated pianos that meet their guidelines. One important detail: donated pianos must be less than 50 years old.
There are additional requirements, so visit their website for all the details before
arranging a donation.
12. Bicycles and Bike Parts – BWorks
Have bikes your kids have outgrown? Or perhaps there's a bicycle sitting in the garage that hasn't been touched in years?
BWorks is a great local organization to check out! They accept bicycles and bike parts and also take most types of computers and flat-screen monitors.
This is a great reminder to look beyond your closets when decluttering. Garages, basements, and storage areas often hold some of the biggest donation opportunities!
Website: https://www.bworks.org/donate/
13. Cars – St. Louis Arc
Yes, you can even donate a vehicle!
If you have an older car that you no longer need, or a vehicle that you're not sure what to do with, consider donating it to St. Louis Arc. Their vehicle donation program helps support their work serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
It's a great way to turn something you no longer need into support for an important local
organization.
14. Sports Equipment – STL Youth Sports Outreach
Have sports equipment your kids have outgrown or no longer use? Before tossing it or letting it collect dust in the garage, check out STL Youth Sports Outreach! They help make youth sports more accessible by providing opportunities and resources for kids in our community.
This is a great place to consider when cleaning out your garage, sports closet, or basement. Those outgrown cleats, balls, and other sporting goods might be exactly what another young athlete needs!
Website: https://www.abcballpark.com/stlyso
15. Community Recycling Events – St. Louis County
Sometimes you have items that aren't necessarily donation-worthy but shouldn't go into your regular trash either. That's where community recycling events come in!
St. Louis County offers information about recycling opportunities, including events for paper shredding, electronics, and other materials.
If you're unsure how to responsibly dispose of something, this is a great place to start.
A Few Tips Before You Load Up Your Car
A little preparation can make donating and recycling so much easier!
Check acceptance guidelines first. Organizations have limited storage and specific needs. Just because a place accepted an item last year doesn't mean it accepts it today.
Make sure donations are usable. Donated items should generally be clean, complete, and in good condition unless the organization specifically accepts items for recycling.
Keep a donation box handy. As you declutter throughout the year, have a designated spot for items that are ready to leave your home.
Don't let donations become another pile of clutter! Set a date to drop them off. A donation bag sitting in your garage for six months isn't really helping anyone.
Think beyond traditional donations. Recycling programs, creative reuse organizations, and specialty collection events can be great alternatives to the trash.
What Happens to Your Donations When We Work Together?
As a reminder, part of every organizing session with me includes removing as many donations, recyclables, and trash items as will fit in my car.
Over the years, I've helped clients responsibly part with A LOT of stuff! I always do my best to find the right destination for items rather than automatically sending everything to the landfill.
One of my favorite parts of organizing is seeing things leave someone's home and knowing they might be useful to someone else. Whether it's a piece of furniture finding a new home, craft supplies going to a creative project, or clothing helping another family, there's something rewarding about giving things a second life.
Remember: The goal isn't just to get rid of stuff. It's to make thoughtful decisions about what stays, what goes, and where things go next.
And if you're feeling overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you've accumulated, you don't
have to tackle it all at once. Start small, make a plan, and remember that progress over perfection is always the goal!
What Did I Miss?
I know there are SO many more wonderful organizations and recycling opportunities out there, and I'd love to keep this list growing!
What items have you struggled to find a home for? Do you know of a local organization that accepts something unusual?
Share your suggestions! You never know who else might be looking for the same information.
Happy decluttering!
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