8 things to donate when renovating

If anything is a constant in home improvement, it’s the trash. Home improvement projects tend to leave behind plenty of sawdust, screws and scraps of wood, not to mention surplus construction materials.

Donating your renovation materials keeps functional items out of the landfill. Other renovators get the building materials they need for their projects, and you get to help others while getting rid of your trash. Many Habitat ReStores provide donation pickup services, and your donations may qualify for a tax deduction. Donating is a win-win situation.

8 types of construction waste that can be donated:

1. Sinks, toilets and bathtubs

Donating bathroom fixtures is a great way to keep bulky items out of the landfill. If you’re donating a bathtub or sink, make sure that they are not stained and do not have chips in the porcelain. If you are remodeling an older bathroom, your vintage fixtures will be surprisingly popular at the local architectural salvage store.

2. Cabinets

Remodeling a kitchen often means replacing kitchen cabinets. Luckily, construction waste recycling allows someone else to benefit from your old kitchen cabinets that may still have years of usefulness. Kitchen cabinets should be in good working order, so check that the drawer pulls work, and keep the doors and drawers together when you donate them.

3. Working appliances

You can also donate used appliances like stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers* and washing machines. Appliance donations must be clean and in good working order. Many organizations will help these appliances find a new home, including Habitat for Humanity, home salvage shops and secondhand stores like The Salvation Army and Goodwill.

* Check with your local ReStore to see if they accept dishwasher donations.

4. Doors and windows

Both internal and external doors can be used by someone else. The most useful doors are clean and undamaged, so look for holes or alterations before donating. Sliding glass patio doors can also be donated. If you are donating sliding glass doors or windows, checking for cracks or holes in the glass is particularly important; these cracks might make the glass unstable and likely to break.

5. Lumber

Wood from framing or home improvement projects can be easily recycled. Most organizations that accept donated lumber request that it come without exposed nails and screws because these can pose a safety hazard. Other concerns include wood with ripped or sharp edges and some types of treated wood. Salvage shops usually accept larger pieces of wood, including two-by-fours and plywood. A local woodworking class might appreciate smaller pieces of wood.

6. Tiles and wood flooring

Many salvage yards will recycle wood flooring that is in good condition. Look for clean, undamaged wood flooring with no visible nails and screws. They will also recycle extra boxes of tiles from a home improvement project. Not all types of flooring are recyclable, so talk to your local salvage shop before donating.

7. Lighting

You can recycle light fixtures through salvage shops or other community organizations. Renovation salvage shops often have a high demand for working light fixtures, and many community organizations use donated light fixtures when rehabilitating low-income homes. You can also donate light switches, switch covers and wiring to cut your construction waste down even more.

8. Door handles and cabinet knobs

Many people replace door handles and cabinet knobs to update a room’s appearance. Cabinet hardware is often still in good condition and can be donated to a local salvage shop. Door handles will be most useful when all the parts are kept together, so put all of the pieces in a bag before donating.