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New York City is home to several innovative and successful materials exchanges handling a wide variety of reusable materials—from computers, building materials, and office furniture, to industrial discards, bicycles, textiles, and surplus food. In addition, NYC has a successful residential recycling program, several refurbished-product manufacturers, and hosts leading organizations in the field of sustainability.
Architectural Salvage/Building Materials
Bicycles
Books
- Books Through Bars (NYC)
- Housing Works Used Book Café
- Prisoners’ Reading Encouragement Project (PREP)
- Project Cicero (c/o New York Society Library)
Bridal
Children’s Items
Clothing
- Bottomless Closet (NYC)
- NYC Clothing Bank
- Dress for Success (NYC)
- Goodwill Industries of Greater NY and NJ
Computers
Food Rescue
Furniture—Household
Furniture—Office
Multi-Materials
- Catholic Charities Community Services (Bronx)
- Freecycle (NYC)
- Housing Works Thrift Shop
- Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.)
- Materials for the Arts
- Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter
- NY WasteMatch
- PENCIL Box
- Salvation Army (Bronx)
- WorldVision Storehouse (NYC)
Toner Cartridges
Theatrical/Film Items
Wood Waste
NYC Recycling Resources
Other Unaffiliated Reuse and Recycling Options
NYC Sustainability Programs
- Center For Sustainable Energy
- CUNY Sustainability Coalition
- INFORM
- NY SunWorks’ Center for Sustainable Engineering
- Pratt Institute Center for Community and Environmental Development
- Regional Plan Association
- Solar One
- Sustainable CCNY
- Transportation Alternatives
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Consumer Product Saftety Improvement Act
As of August 14th 2008, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in response to hazardous materials found in the making of toys, signed into effect the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. This is a law that affects many reuse organizations around the country. The US CPSC has also provided a guidance for retailers and resellers of children’s products, including thrift stores, consignment shops and charities. Please read this guide to see how your organization may be affected.
Download Guide for Retailers and Resellers to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
Download Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
MEDP Reports
NYC Reuse Sector Assessment Report
The small, but growing, reuse sector in New York City consists of organizations that facilitate the transfer of usable, yet unwanted, materials between organizations, businesses or individuals. To understand the specific challenges faced locally by the sector, MEDP carried out the Sector Assessment Project: A Comprehensive Study of NYC’s Materials Exchange and Reuse Sector. The report presents the results of the survey, highlights the positive impacts of participating programs and areas needing improvement, and provides practical recommendations for enhancing the sector moving forward. Download full report here
NYC Annual Materials Exchange Conference Proceedings Summaries
Each November, New York City's reuse organizations come together for the NYC Materials Exchange Conference. Held at The City College of New York, this one-day conference explores approaches to improve operations, weighs in on sector strategies, and gives members a chance to connect with colleagues: all in an effort to keep valuable resources out of the waste stream.
NYC Materials Exchange Roundtable - November, 1997
This roundtable was held on November 14, 1997, conducted by The Cornell Waste Management Institute, sponsored by The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2, on behalf of The New York City Department of Sanitation. Download full report here
MEDP’s affiliates are organizations that have either participated in our “Materials Exchange Assessment Project” or in other MEDP programs and services. Neither MEDP, nor its partners or funders, endorse these organizations or warranty their services.