If you want to make 2020 clutter-free, we're here to help.
Sift your closets, sort your garage and then give your cast-offs to someone who wants them. Plenty of organizations around ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ will take your donations, giving you a blank canvas for a new year.Ìý
You probably already know about and thrift stores, which will both accept a huge variety of clothing and household goods (visitÌý and for more info).Ìý
Start there or get more specific. Some options help good causes, others will get you some cash or store credit.Ìý
We also recently made a list of five local organizations that will do curbside pickup for larger items such as furniture and appliances. This means you don't even have to get in your car. 🙌 Check that list out .Ìý
We also suggest bookmarking ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Clean and Beautiful's ,Ìýwhich lists dozens of places to recycle just about anything.
Happy purging.Ìý
Christmas trees
Heriberto "Eddie" Coronado uses a machete to strip a discarded Christmas tree trunk he plans to make into a fence at a TreeCycle collection spot near the 4700 block of South 3rd Avenue by the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Rodeo Grounds, on Dec. 28, 2017, in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. Residents can recycle their Christmas trees through the city's TreeCycle Program until Jan. 15 at one of eight sites around town. Free mulched wood chips will be available after Jan. 4 at Randolph Golf Course and the Los Reales Landfill.
First, the obvious. If you've got a live tree that needs to go, remove all of the decorations, including the stand, and haul it to one of the City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s "TreeCycle" collection spots through Sunday, Jan. 12 during daylight hours, unless otherwise noted. The city will grind the trees to make wood chips available to the public atÌýLos Reales Landfill, .
Here's where you can take your tree:
• Tank's Speedway Recycling and Landfill Facility,ÌýÌý— Monday through Friday,Ìý7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and SaturdayÌý7 a.m. to 2 p.m.ÌýÌý
• Golf Links Sports Complex, .
• ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Rodeo Grounds, onÌýThird Avenue, north of Irvington Road.Ìý
• Los Reales Landfill,ÌýÌý — Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.Ìý
• Tank's Ina Land Reclamation Facility, , Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.Ìý
• Purple Heart Park, .Ìý
• Randolph Golf Course,Ìý.Ìý
Visit Ìýfor updated information.ÌýÌý
Grease
County residents are urged to recycle their cooking grease, as dumping it into the sewer can cause dangerous overflows.
Because fats, oils and grease can wreak havoc on pipes if you pour them down the drain, wants to help you prevent sewer backups.
Recycle grease at Agua Nueva Water Reclamation Facility, ÌýMonday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.Ìý
GoÌýÌýfor more information.Ìý
Brush and Bulky
A giant eucalyptus tree gets a trim. Photo Renee Sauer / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ / 2001
City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ neighborhoods have scheduled brush and bulky pickups. When it's your neighborhood's turn, you can leave brush, branches and other green waste on the curb. Plus, scrap metal, furniture, car doors, etc. Go Ìýfor the complete list of what they will and will not pick up. You can also call 520-791-3171 or for a brush and bulky pickup at any time. Fees apply.Ìý
Go for more information, including a map and schedule.Ìý
Books, CDs, DVDs
Maria Gastelum, during a break from her adult language class, looks through children’s books in the library at Literacy Connects.
Pima County Public Library:ÌýDonate your books,ÌýCDs and DVDs to the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, , or a nearby branch. Call in advance to make sure they can accommodate larger collections. You can also donate to the for their book sales, which support library programs. The next public sale is Jan. 17-20. Take your books to the Friends at 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Saturday. Go Ìýor call 520-795-3763 for more information.Ìý
Literacy Connects: This Ìýand will take your new or gently-used books for children and young learners. Bring them to Ìýwhen open. Click for a list of genres on the nonprofit's wish list. For more information, visit Ìýor call 520-882-8006.Ìý
Make Way for Books:ÌýThis is another local nonprofit that is all about connecting young childrenÌý— and their parents and educatorsÌý— to books. You can donate new and gently-used children's books to Make ay for Books HQ at Ìýwhen open. Visit or call 520-398-6451 for more information.Ìý
Bookmans:ÌýTake your media to Bookmans for store credit or cash. What they buy from you is based on current stock, condition and demand. No appointment is necessary.Ìý
• Midtown, , 520-325-5767.Ìý
• Northwest, , 520-579-0303.Ìý
• East, , 520-748-9555.Ìý
Visit for more information.Ìý
Cell phones
Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse:ÌýDonate working cell phones (and chargers) to Emerge to help people in domestic abuse situations. Even though the phones no longer have service or data, the phones can still call 911, providing victims a lifeline. Take your phone to the administrative office at .Ìýwhen open. Visit ÌýforÌýmore information.Ìý
Best Buy:ÌýYou might be able to trade in your phone (or other electronic device) for store credit or just drop it off and Best Buy will recycle it and deal with the hazardous materials responsibly. VisitÌýÌýto find your nearest location.Ìý
Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile:ÌýMost cell phone stores will properly recycle your old phone. You may even get some trade-in credit.Ìý
Computers, printers, TVs, etc.Ìý
RISE Equipment Recycling Center:ÌýA subsidiary of the local nonprofit (which helps people with behavioral, physical and mental health and substance abuse recovery), the Ìýand sells them at discounted rates to other nonprofits, their clients and low-income ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ans. Note: They don't accept cathode ray tube televisions and monitors. Donate to or call 520-623-7162. For more information and hours, visit .Ìý
World Care: This collects your surplus to help people locally and internationally at . They'll recycle and reuse your old electronics, medical equipment and other household items. Call 520-514-1588 or check for hours.Ìý
Best Buy:ÌýAgain, they'll take your tablets, computers, cameras, some TVs and other used devices. Check to see a complete list.
Paint, vehicle fluids, cleaning supplies, batteries
Barbara Mead's brushes stand idle while she sketches a floral still-life during the Anyone Can Draw or Paint art class. The class allows for all styles and media.
Household Hazardous Waste: This ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ program will take care of chemicals, batteries and all kinds of items considered hazardous, poisonous or toxic. For a complete list, visit . It's free to drop off if you live in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, but there's a $10 fee for residents outside of city limits. Drop off regularly at ,Ìý Friday mornings and at Los Reales Landfill, , Monday through Saturday. CheckÌýÌýfor specific hours and updated information.Ìý
ReStore: Connected to , which serves at-risk families and seniors, recycles and sells usable building materials, including paint, lighting and flooring. Drop off at Ìýor schedule a free pickup. Visit or call 520-326-1936 for more information.Ìý
Leftover motor oil
Autozone:ÌýMost Autozone stores recycle old motor oil and batteries. Visit to find locations.Ìý
O'Reilly Auto Parts:ÌýBring motor oil, batteries and other auto fluids for recycling. VisitÌý to find locations.Ìý
Many other auto shops also have oil recycling programs.Ìý
Furniture
Sandra Iracema tallies her purchases during a 2010 Goodwill auction.
HabiStore: Affiliated with . Schedule a pickup or drop off your donations at . GoÌý of what the store will and will not take. Call 520-230-5323 or visitÌý for more information.Ìý
Casa de los Niños: This helps families raise children in healthy homes. Their thrift store at Ìýsupports that mission. You can also schedule a free pickup. Call 520-325-2573 or visit for hours and more information.Ìý
Clothing
Janet, who did not want to give her last name, looks through donated clothes at the Sister Jose Women’s Center.
Your Sister's Closet:ÌýThis program of the ,Ìý,Ìýprovides professional clothes to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ women who need the clothing (and accessories and shoes) to ace that job interview.ÌýVisit or call 520-884-7810 for hours and more information.Ìý
Gospel Rescue Mission: With multiple shelters for men, women and children, your clothing goes directly to those in need. Drop off at the Women's Recovery Center,Ìý,ÌýorÌýthe Center for Opportunity, ,Ìýor schedule a pickup.ÌýVisit for more information and hours.Ìý
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥: Donate clothing and household goods and support the local mentoring program. Donations are sold to local Savers stores and support the program. There are lots of places you can drop off clothes (or have them picked up), so visit for specific locations.
Buffalo Exchange: Sell your gently-used clothing for cash or store credit any time the storeÌýat is open. Visit Ìýor call 520-795-0508Ìýfor more information.Ìý
Craft supplies
Examples of the dyed yarn.
Treasures4Teachers of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥:ÌýA resource center for local teachers needing classroom or crafting supplies. of what they're looking forÌý— everything from bottle caps to old magazines. Drop stuff off at Ìý2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Call 520-425-3956 to make sure someone is there before you go and make sure you go at least 30 minutes before close. VisitÌýÌýfor more information.Ìý
Pet toys, beds, etc.Ìý
"The beds have really had a calming effect," says Pima Animal Care Center Manager Justin Gallick, who reports that dogs at the shelter are barking less. Above, a female dog rests on one of the raised beds.
Pima Animal Care Center: If you have gently-used or new pet toys, beds, collars, leashes and other items, take them to Pima Animal Care Center, , during open hours. The shelter also has a huge need for large towels (think beach towels). Go for more information on what the center can and cannot use.Ìý
Editor's note: We ran a version of this story in 2019 but this one is updated for 2020.Ìý