Solid Waste in New England

Reuse in New England: Donation Programs - Surplus Inventory for Arts & Education
April 2008

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.

Businesses often generate off-specification products, end runs and other materials that are traditionally disposed of as waste. The following organizations work to utilize these types of materials in the arts and education. We encourage you to look into community programs, such as schools and daycare centers, that may also take 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

Educational Assistance, Ltd.
Address: PO Box 3021, Glen Ellyn, IL 60138
Phone: 708-690-0010
Email: 2eal@inventorydonations.org
Description: This organization makes corporate equipment donations available to approximately 170 colleges and universities. The schools accept the material, and agree to award a tuition scholarship in the corporation's name.

Investment Recovery Association
Address: 5800 Foxridge Drive, Suite 115, Mission, Kansas 66202-2333
Phone: 913-262-4597
Email: ira@invrecovery.org
Description: Investment recovery is the practice of recouping the value of assets no longer needed by a company by identifying and reusing or disposing of surplus assets. Investment recovery professionals can earn a professional accreditation from IRA called Certified Manager of Investment Recovery. This organization represents more than 200 companies with investment recovery departments, and provides ongoing education, training and networking opportunities to members.

National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources (NAEIR)
Address: 560 McClure Street, Galesburg, IL 61401
Toll Free Number: 800-562-0955
Description: NAEIR is an organization that collects and processes donations of new, top quality merchandise from American corporations. Materials are redistributed to qualified schools and non-profits across the United States.

Maine

Everyone's Resource Depot University of Maine at Farmington
Address: Education Center, High and Lincoln Streets Room 009
Phone: (207) 778-7150
Description: Everyone's Resource Depot accepts clean, safe, cast-offs from Maine industries and individuals and sells them to the public at low cost.

Ruth's Reusable Resources
Address: 39 Blueberry Road, Portland, ME 04102
Phone: 207-699-5565
Contact: Ruth Libby
Email: info@ruths.org
Description: Accepts all sorts of surplus inventory from businesses. Schools may shop here for a $1 fee per student or $300 per year. Donations can range from a variety of school supplies to arts and crafts.

SHARE Center
Address: Great Falls Art Center, intersection of Academy & High Streets, PO Box 800, Auburn, ME, 04212 and Republic Ave, Buidling 376, Topsham, ME 04086
Phone: 207-795-0972
Email: sharecenter@auburnschl.edu
Description: SHARE Center collects learning materials (paper, foam, cardboard, fabric, etc.), office supplies, furniture, electronics, and other items for distribution to schools and non-profits.

Massachusetts

Boston Children's Museum
Address: 300 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210
Phone: 617-426-6500, ext 388
Contact: Corey Smigliani

Community Resource Center
Address: 38 Montvale Ave., Suite 330, Stoneham, MA 02180
Phone: 781-279-4658
Contact: Diane Edwards

Dedham High School
Address: 140 Whiting Ave., Dedham, MA 02026
Contact: Catherine Carney

Extras for Creative Learning
Address: 443 Warren St., Dorchester, MA 02121
Phone: 617-635-8284
Email: jschmidt@exclrecycles.org
Description: This Boston-area non-profit accepts surplus office and art supplies (yarn, fabric, plastic, paint, etc.) from business owners and manufactures and redistributes them to its members, who include teachers, childcare providers, service programs, artists, and families.

Extras for Education
Address: Brighton High School, 25 Warren St., Brighton, MA 02135
Phone: 617-635-8284
Contact: Hugh Halsey

Industrial Surplus Network
Address: 9 Bridgeham Ave., Suite 300, Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-484-6771
Contact: Larry Sprague (larryisn@gmail.com)
Description: This for-profit corporation buys and sells inventory in the New England area. It promotes and facilitates the donation of surplus inventories to not-for-profit organizations for use by that not-for-profit or resale by the not-for-profit to raise funds.

Massachusetts WasteCap Surplus Inventory Donation Program
Address: 376 Boylston Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Phone: 617-236-7715
Description: The Surplus Inventory Donation Program encourages companies to donate surplus inventory to WasteCap to be resold.

NCECP Creativity Recycle Center
Address: PO Box 80255, Stoneham, MA 02180
Phone: 781-279-4658
Contact: Bee Russo
E-mail: ncecp@shore.net
Description: Seeking all types of clean, safe, resuable materials to supplement classroom/group/daycare settings in support of artistic and scientific projects.

ReCreate Recycling Center
Address: 536 Pawtucket St, Lowell, MA 01854
Phone: 978-458-2738
Contacts: Teresa Harrison, Karen Talbot

Recycle for Children
Address: 34 Front St., Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Phone: 413-543-5061
Contact: Barbara Rosenbaum

Wilmington Public Schools
Address: 25 Carter Lane, Wilmington, MA 01887
Phone: 978-694-6080
Contact: Neal Roberts (nroberts@wilmington.k12.ma.us)
Description: K-12 Public School Visual Arts program

Worcester Public Schools Recycle Center
Address: 211 Providence St., Worcester, MA 06607-1199
Phone: 508-799-3629
Contact: Mary Pichierri

New Hamsphire

Donation Networks
Address: 221 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH 03104
Phone: 603-624-6102 (Manchester) or 603-886-7147 (Nashua)
Description: Donation Networks (A division of MaxImpact Institute) is a non-profit organization serving schools and non-profit organizations across New England and beyond. They accept used computer equipment, office equipment and supplies, supplies for arts and crafts, and other products for distribution to non-profit organizations and schools within New England through two warehouse locations in Nashua and Manchester.

Rhode Island

Recycling for Rhode Island Education
Address: PO Box 6264, Providence, RI 02940
Phone: 401-781-1521
Contact: Priscilla
Email: info@rrie.org
Description: RRIE has a 6 year history of collecting and recycling manufacturers' safe, non-toxic byproducts, overruns, and scraps. It distributes these materials to teachers, parents, and other member organizations who teach or work with kids. Call or visit website for scheduled hours of operation.

Vermont

Central Vermont Surplus Directory
Address: The Restore, 186 River St., Montpelier, VT 05602
Phone: 802-229-1930
Description: Published in 1999 by the Restore, this booklet provides information on where to take surplus stuff. Listings include businesses which handle appliances, art/educational supplies, building materials, office equipment, sporting equipment, and toys.
Contact: Connie Leach Bisson.