Spring Cleaning for the Planet: 35 Earth-Friendly Drop-Offs for Your Stuff

Written By Jen Berniker

It’s Earth Week—and you know what that means: time to open that junk drawer, dig through the closet, and confront the pile of “just-in-case” things we never actually use. Spring cleaning is officially in session, and this year, we’re cleaning with purpose.

Because while tidying up feels great, what feels even better is knowing your cast-offs can go somewhere they’ll be reused, repurposed, or recycled responsibly. And in many cases—you’ll even get a reward for doing the right thing.

We’ve expanded our original Clean Sweep post to include 35+ places where your stuff can live its best second life. Drop-offs, mail-ins, store trade-ins—it’s all here. Have more ideas? Leave them in the comments!

👕 CLOTHES, SHOES & TEXTILES

  • Madewell x Blue Jeans Go Green – Recycle any brand of denim in-store and get $20 off a new pair. It gets turned into insulation for housing in underserved communities.

  • Zappos for Good – Can’t get to Madewell? Mail your denim in for free.

  • Marine Layer Re-Spun – Bring in 5+ old t-shirts (any brand), get a $25 coupon. They’ll become new tees made from shredded fabric + recycled plastic.

  • Lululemon – Trade in your old athleisure for a gift card.

  • Eileen Fisher Renew – Return your old EF clothes for resale or transformation into pillows, wall hangings & more.

  • Patagonia Worn Wear – Trade in gently used Patagonia gear for store credit—or get free repairs to keep your faves in rotation.

  • Bay State Textiles – Drop off old clothes, shoes, and linens—even the unwearable kind. Recycled into industrial rags, carpet padding, and more.

  • Fleet Feet – Donate athletic shoes (adult sizes 6–11) to support global reforestation through the One Million Trees initiative.

  • H&M, The North Face, Uniqlo, Target, Levis, Nike – All have in-store garment recycling or trade-in programs.

🧴 BEAUTY PRODUCTS & BATH GOODS

  • L’Occitane x TerraCycle – Bring in used beauty/skincare packaging (any brand), get 10% off a new item.

  • Nordstrom BEAUTYCYCLE – Recycle cosmetics containers through TerraCycle at select locations.

  • Ulta-The Beauty Drop Off via Pact Collective bins.

  • Credo Beauty – Drop off beauty packaging via Pact Collective bins.

  • Lush – Return 5 black pots for a free face mask.

💻 TECH, ELECTRONICS & CORD CLUTTER

  • Best Buy – The biggest retail electronics recycler in the U.S. Bring in old tech—even if you didn’t buy it there. Some items = store credit.

  • Apple, Samsung, Verizon, Office Depot – Offer trade-ins or free recycling for electronics and accessories.

  • EcoATM – Recycle your phone for instant cash at mall kiosks.

  • Staples – Accepts everything from chargers to printers and ink cartridges.

  • Cell Phones for Soldiers – Donate used phones to support military families.

  • Household Waste Drop-Offs – Your town’s Transfer Station can take batteries, e-waste, antifreeze, and more.

🏠 HOUSEHOLD, HOME GOODS & FURNITURE

  • Habitat for Humanity ReStore – Donate furniture, kitchen cabinets, appliances, or bathroom fixtures. They’ll even pick it up!

  • IKEA Buyback Program – Trade in eligible IKEA furniture for store credit.

  • Ring’s End – Drop off leftover (still liquid) paint via CT’s PaintCare program.

  • Aurora Circularity via Sustainability Angels - non-profit that will evaluate, remove and sell your fully functioning renovation materials such as luxury kitchen cabinetry, appliances, and bath fixtures to keep them out of a landfill.

📚 BOOKS, TOYS, ART SUPPLIES & MORE

  • Westport Book Shop – Donate used books, CDs, and DVDs locally.

  • Little Free Libraries – Perfect for kids’ books and novels.

  • Kids in Crisis (Greenwich, CT) and Domestic Violence Crisis Center (Norwalk, CT): These local organizations support children and families in crisis and may accept stuffed animal donations. ​

  • Daycares, Libraries & Schools – Great places to donate art supplies, books, and educational toys.

  • Local Shelters – Always need bedding, warm clothing, and personal care items.

  • Buy Nothing / Freecycle – Offer your goods up locally to neighbors, no strings attached.

🧺 MISCELLANEOUS

  • Drop Eyeglasses – Donate at Costco (New Eyes for the Needy), Walmart, LensCrafters, Lions Club bins, or ship to ReSpectacle.

  • Plastic Bag & Film Recycling – Drop off at Stop & Shop or Whole Foods.

  • Expired Medications – Most police stations offer a secure drop box.

  • The UPS Store – Accepts clean packing peanuts and bubble wrap for reuse.

🚛 BONUS: BIG STUFF & PICKUPS

Decluttering for Earth Week isn’t just about a cleaner closet—it’s about a cleaner conscience. Whether it’s a drawer of tangled chargers or a bag of jeans you haven’t worn since 2016, there’s a place for everything—and usually, it’s not the trash. 🌍 💚

Jen Berniker
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