DONATIONS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!
We have changed our donation protocols to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Materials Donations

​Thank you so much for your continued support! During the COVID-19 pandemic, UpCycle has made the following changes to donations procedures:
  • Donations are by appointment only. BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
  • Bring no more than three bags/boxes per appointment. A box = one banker's-style box. A bag = one paper grocery bag.  If you have a larger quantity of donations, please email Rachel at rachel@upcyclecrc.org.
  • Donations are accepted at the loading dock at 5380-D Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria VA 22304. Please wear a mask and maintain a safe distance from our staff.
  • As always, please do not leave donations outside our door when we are closed.

IMPORTANT - CHANGES TO ITEMS WE COLLECT: We have limited the types of donations we can accept at this time, in response to the suspension of our in-person programming and our limited space to store donated materials. Please review our "What We Collect," "What We Don't Collect" and "What We Temporarily Can't Collect" lists carefully, and e-mail us at donations@UpCycleCRC.org if you have questions about your donation. Thank you!

What We Don't COLLECT:

  • Fabric scraps
  • Clothing, pillow covers, bedding or curtains
  • ​House paint - gallon sized
  • Magazines (except National Geographic, Art Magazines)
  • Broken picture frames
  • Carpet samples larger than 6" square 
  • Loose tile larger than 12" square
  • Plastic food containers (i.e., butter, Cool Whip)
  • Plastic toys
  • Photo albums

What We Collect:

PAPER - art paper and pads, construction paper, scrapbook paper, rolls of paper, poster board, paper sample books, sturdy cardboard tubes, wallpaper and blueprints

TINKER SUPPLIES - cork, lids, caps, twist ties, bread tabs, egg cartons, straws, pop tops
​
FABRIC & NOTIONS - fabric (pieces must have regular edges, and be at least 1 yard, smoke and pet hair free), zippers, buttons, sequins, thread and floss, sewing tools, ribbon, Velcro, leather, yarn (except white), knitting needles, crochet hooks, raw wool, felt

​ARTIST SUPPLIES - most types of paint, brushes, pastels, glue, chalk, ink, carving tools, stencils, transfer letters, markers, rulers, clay, glue guns and sticks, silk screens, canvas (blank and used), easels, loose crayons, pencils, pens, house paint samples (nothing larger than quart size)

CRAFT SUPPLIES - pipe cleaners, craft foam, glitter, marbles, game and puzzle pieces, silk flowers, craft sticks, wine, straws, plastic bottle caps

SCRAPBOOKING & COLLAGE - stickers, scrapbook paper, embellishments, punches, rubber stamps, stamp pads, playing cards, postage stamps, photographs, maps, calendars

GIFT & PARTY SUPPLIES - gift bags, tissue paper, greeting cards, 

MAT BOARD, FRAMING, SIGN MAKING - mat board, foam core, acrylic, corrugated plastic, sign board, adhesive vinyl

ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN - formica, wood, quartz, tile, paint chip and acrylic samples, keys, contact paper, ​wallpaper sample books, fabric sample books

OFFICE SUPPLIES - scissors, hole punches, staplers, staples, staple removers, tape dispensers, tape, transparencies, rubber bands, paperclips, envelopes, labels, organizers, note pads, clipboards 

CONTAINERS - glass baby food  jars, small cardboard boxes, paper shopping bags, plastic crates, cigar boxes, bubble wrap

MEDIA/TECH - slides, coated wire, CD's, film canisters

METAL - metal fixtures (hooks, doorknobs, etc.), armature wire, screws, nails, keys, bottle caps

WOOD - small blocks and boards (untreated), sheets of cork, craft wood, spools, dowels, stretcher bars, craft sticks
​
PLASTIC - small animal figurines, school manipulatives

JEWELRY - necklaces (chains, beaded, shell), bracelets, earrings, rings, pins, watches, loose beads, jewelry findings, mardi gras beads

What we Temporarily Can't Accept:

​bottWe are currently overstocked with these materials! They are still available in the shop, but we can't accept them as donations.

HOLIDAY ITEMS - holiday items are only accepted in the two months preceding the given holiday

PAPER -  calendars, copy paper, letterhead, envelopes, scrapbook paper

FABRIC & NOTIONS - patterns, yarn ball remnants, White Yarn

ARTIST SUPPLIES - 

CRAFT SUPPLIES - wine corks, straws, plastic bottle caps

SCRAPBOOKING & COLLAGE -  magazines, scrapbooks 

​GIFT & PARTY SUPPLIES - all holiday themed decor, gift wrap, ribbon and bows, mylar balloons

​MAT BOARD, FRAMING, SIGN MAKING - picture frames

​​ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN - , tile, carpet samples, trophies

OFFICE SUPPLIES - binders, file folders (manila, hanging and pocket), page protectors, organizers, used quilted mailing envelopes

CONTAINERS - ​glass jars (unless they are small lidded jars), prescription bottles (no labels), Rubbermaid type bins

MEDIA/TECH -  DVDs, VHS tapes and cases, records, floppy disks,  motherboards and CPU parts, photography equipment, projectors

​METAL - tins, lids

PLASTIC - bottle caps and lids

JEWELRY - 

Where Do I Take Other Items?

Visit the City of Alexandria's website to find other opportunities for reusing, reducing and recycling items that UpCycle can't accept.
Batteries, house and spray paint, pesticides, motor oil:
Building materials, appliances, home improvement items:
Clothing & Jewelry:
Toiletries, towels, blankets, twin sheet sets:
Pet related items and towels, blankets, and bath mats:
UpCycle Creative Reuse Center - 5380-D Eisenhower Ave - Alexandria, Virginia - 22304 | 703-861-8705