Solid Waste in New England

Reuse in New England: Donation Programs - Medical Devices, Equipment, and Supplies
August 2007

Disclaimer: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute endorsement, recommendation, or verification by the United States Government. The views and opinions expressed herein or represented by the listed organizations or entities do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement.

The following is a list of some organizations that utilize unwanted medical devices, equipment and supplies ranging from eyeglasses to hospital equipment. Local hospitals and nursing homes often accept donations.

If you have questions or suggestions for additions/corrections to this list, contact:

Christine Beling (beling.christine@epa.gov)
EPA New England (SPP)
1 Congress Street, Suite 1100
Boston, MA 02114-2023
Phone: 617-918-1792

If you'd like to submit or amend a listing for the Reuse Guide click here.

Regional/New England

Gifts In-Kind America (See Donation Opportunities – Consumer Goods)

IMEC
Address: 1600 Osgood Street, N. Andover, MA 01845
Phone: 978-557-5510 Ext. 308
Email: donations@imecamerica.org
Description: IMEC provides doctors and nurses in impoverished countries with the medical tools they need to deliver vital health care services to their nation's poor. Founded in 1995, IMEC is a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization that distributes donated medical equipment, supplies, and support services to doctors, nurses and technologists working in hospitals, clinics, and orphanages in underserved locations worldwide.

Lions Club International Recycle for Sight
Email: rfs@lionsclubs.org
Description: In most communities, the local Lions Club recycles eyeglasses.

New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans (See Donation Opportunities – Consumer Goods)

New Eyes for the Needy
Address: 549 Millburn Ave., Short Hills, NJ
Phone: 973-376-4903
Fax: 973-376-3807
Email: neweyesfortheneedy@verizon.net
Description: New Eyes for the Needy collects used eyeglasses, jewelry and giftware. Eyeglasses are distributed overseas and money from sales of jewelry and giftware is used to fund vouchers for glasses for needy Americans.

Project Perfect World Foundation
Address: One North Franklin, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: 312-422-3840
Email: ahrmm@aha.org
Description: Cleaning out your closets? Don’t pitch out those old blades and bandages - donate them to Project Perfect World, a humanitarian effort sponsored by the Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management. PPW’s goal is to provide medical care that is otherwise unavailable to the children of third world countries

REMEDY Program
Address: 3-TMP, 333 Cedar Street, P. O. Box 208051, New Haven, CT 06520-8051
Phone: 203-737-5356
Email: info@remedyinc.org
Description: REMEDY (Recovered Medical Equipment for the Developing World), is a private, voluntary organization composed of doctors, nurses, hospital volunteers, and others whose collective efforts are directed at transferring discarded but usable medical supplies to developing nations, while source reducing regulated waste, and saving money in our hospitals in the U.S. There is no charge for their services or teaching materials.

World Vision
Address: P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063-9716
Phone: 1-888-511-6548
Description: Accepts large volumes of gift-in-kind donations from corporations and private donors. Donations are sent to developing countries around the world.

Massachusetts

Hingham Rotary Club
Address: PO Box 39, Hingham, MA 02043
Email: Secretary@HinghamRotary.org
Description: Hingham Rotary recovers operating equipment including x-ray machines and kidney dialysis machines. Contact: Richard Bridges.

Mass Eye and Ear Optical Shop
Address: 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02144
Phone: 617-573-3182
Description: This organization collect old eyeglasses and distributes them to individuals in need locally and in third world countries.

Pine St Inn Nurse's Clinic/New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans
Address: Listed in sections above
Phone: 617-521-7214 / 617-248-9400
Description: The Inn accepts the following donations: crutches, canes, braces, walkers, and unopened cartons of bandages. Call for collection information.

Vermont

Requipment Catalog
Phone: 802-229-0501
Description: Run by the Vermont Center for Independent Living, this classified advertising/database is a resource for used adaptive equipment/medical devices.