DONATION PROCEDURES AND DONATIONS LIST

Our donation protocols aim 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:
  • 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.
  • Donations are accepted at the loading dock between the Durant Center and the pool at 1605 Cameron Street. Please wear a mask and maintain a safe distance from our staff.
  • Please do not leave donations outside our door when we are closed.

CHANGES TO ITEMS WE COLLECT: We have limited the type 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 Accept" lists carefully, and e-mail us at donations@UpCycleCRC.org if you have questions about your donation. Thank you!

What We Collect:

PAPER - copy paper, cardstock, letterhead, envelopes, art paper and pads, construction paper, scrapbook paper, rolls of paper, poster board, paper sample books, sturdy cardboard tubes

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 (complete skeins, no 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

CRAFT SUPPLIES - pipe cleaners, craft foam, glitter, marbles, game and puzzle pieces, silk flowers, craft sticks

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

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

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

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

CONTAINERS - glass jars (no labels), small cardboard boxes, paper shopping bags, plastic crates, cigar boxes, bubble wrap

MEDIA/TECH - slides, telephone wire, coated wire

METAL - metal fixtures (hooks, doorknobs, etc.), armiture wire, screws, nails, keys

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

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

What we temporarily can't accept:

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

TINKER SUPPLIES - cork, lids, caps, twist ties, toilet paper tubes, paper towel rolls, egg cartons, straws, pop tops

PAPER - maps, calendars, wallpaper and blueprints

FABRIC & NOTIONS - patterns, white yarn, yarn ball remnants

ARTIST SUPPLIES - loose crayons, pencils, pens (complete sets ok), house paint samples

CRAFT SUPPLIES - wine corks, straws, plastic bottle caps

SCRAPBOOKING & COLLAGE - maps, calendars, magazines, scrapbooks 

​GIFT & PARTY SUPPLIES - gift wrap, ribbon and bows, mylar balloons

​MAT BOARD, FRAMING, SIGN MAKING - picture frames

​​ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN - wallpaper sample books, fabric sample books, tile, carpet samples, trophies

OFFICE SUPPLIES - loose pens and pencils (sets ok), erasers, file folders (manila, hanging and pocket), page protectors, organizers, used quilted mailing envelopes

CONTAINERS - ​prescription bottles (no labels), ​tins, small plastic containers (no labels), Rubbermaid type bins

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

​METAL - ​​bottle caps, tins, lids

PLASTIC - lids & caps (clean)

JEWELRY - mardi gras beads

What We Don't COLLECT:

  • Christmas themed decor, wrapping or cards
  • 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

Where Do I Take Other Items?

Visit the City of Alexandria's Reduce, Reuse & Other Recycling Opportunities page for information about what to do with items that UpCycle can't accept. Here are some additional resources:

​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
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