Donation & Recycling Resources
♻️ Thoughtfully letting go, without sending everything to the landfill ♻️
Decluttering often means parting with items that no longer serve you—but that doesn’t mean they have to go to waste. Below is a curated list of trusted donation centers and recycling organizations in Wheeling, IL, Lake County, Northern Cook County, and across the North Shore of Chicago that we personally recommend to our clients.
Whether it’s clothing, toys, books, electronics, or furniture—there’s a responsible home for it.
Books, Media &
Office Supplies
Better World Books — Don’t let old textbooks collect dust. Better World Books puts them to work by supporting literacy and education around the globe
The Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society — This local org puts them directly into the hands of children who need them
Books 4 Cause — From novels to nonfiction, Books 4 Cause gives your books new life by supporting community libraries and educational programs
Bernie’s Book Bank — Donates books to underserved children across the Chicago area
Frugal Muse Books Music & Video — Yes, someone still wants your DVD collection—and maybe that vintage VHS, too
Reckless Records — Let your records spin on for someone else. Reckless buys and sells with heart
The Exchange — Level up someone else’s game library—The Exchange buys and resells used games, consoles, and gear
SCARCE — Recycles books, school supplies, and office materials in DuPage and surrounding counties
Staples — Staples makes it easy to recycle old office gear—think used pens, printers, and outdated tech
Beauty & Skincare
Nordstrom BEAUTYCYCLE + Sephora Beauty (Re)Purposed — Drop off empty beauty containers—bottles, jars, and tubes—and Nordstrom & Sephora will recycle them responsibly. It’s skincare with a second life
Clothing
Goodwill — Multiple Chicagoland drop-off locations
Savers / Value Village — Great for clothing, accessories, and small home goods
Cradles to Crayons Chicago — Accepts gently used clothing and essential items for children
Share Our Spare — Gently used baby clothes and gear can go to local families who need them
Twice as Nice Mother & Child — Provides diapers, clothing, and gear to families in crisis
Elliot Consignment — Is a local shop that helps you sell your items secondhand—the owner takes a cut, and your clothes get a second life.
Crocs —Yes, even your Crocs can be recycled. Give them a new home instead of the landfill
Chicago Textile Recycling — CTR takes used clothing, shoes, and linens that can’t be donated and recycles them responsibly
Mr & Mrs Digz — This consignment boutique is perfect for passing on your once-loved accessories to someone new
Paws Chicago — Old linens = pure gold for animal shelters
Target Car Seat Trade-In Program — Expired or outgrown? Target’s program helps you recycle safely—and snag a discount
Mattel PlayBack — Broken or outgrown but still beloved? Mattel PlayBack takes your well-loved toys and turns them into something new—no landfill necessary (Barbie®, Fisher-Price®, Matchbox® or MEGA® toys)
Lego Replay — Give those bricks a second life. LEGO Replay accepts used pieces and donates them to kids who’ll love building with them all over again
PianoForte Chicago — Ready to part with your piano? PianoForte finds them good homes (and tunes them up for a new life)
MUSIC Inc. + Girls Rock Chicago — Your old guitar or clarinet could be the start of someone else’s music journey
Working Bikes — Donate your wheels and they’ll ride again—locally or globally
The Sports Shed — Gently used gear? The Sports Shed passes it on to kids and communities that need it
The Wastedshed + Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange — Extra yarn, paints, googly eyes? These orgs give your supplies a second life in classrooms and art spaces
Chicago Lawn Mower, Inc — Working or not, this spot takes yard tools seriously—and may repair or rehome them
Chicago Tool Library — Power drills, measuring tapes, random DIY gadgets? Donate them where someone else can borrow instead of buy
VFW or American Legion — Worn or weathered flags can be retired respectfully at your local VFW or American Legion
Pet Supplies
Pet Food and Treats Packaging — Opened bags? Enjoy the convenience of recycling a wide variety of pet food, treat, and litter packaging at dedicated collection bins located inside Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N' Wash
Paws Chicago —PAWS does amazing work, but space is tight. They’ve created a list of high-need items on their website—check it out before donating to make sure you’re giving what’s truly helpful
Electronics &
Hazardous Materials
Bestbuy — From headphones to home speakers to cell phones, Best Buy takes back a wide range of electronics for safe, responsible recycling
SWALCO (Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, IL) — Scheduled electronics recycling and household chemical drop-offs
ReSupply — Treadmill gathering dust? ReSupply helps rehome larger fitness equipment through donation and pickup services
City of Chicago Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility — From old cleaners to batteries and chemicals, the city’s facility helps you safely dispose of the stuff that shouldn’t go in the trash
PaintCare — Leftover paint? PaintCare offers drop-off sites to recycle it properly—no mess, no waste
Pharmaceuticals Drop-off Locations — Expired or unused meds? Local drop-off spots keep them out of the wrong hands and the water supply
Chicago Police — Firearms should always be turned in safely. The CPD offers secure, no-questions-asked drop-off options.
Central Metal Recycling, LLC — Got scrap metal or bulky items with metal parts? Central Metal Recycling makes it easy to recycle responsibly
Cars, Parts & Etc.
Chicago Car Club — Have a classic or collectible car you're ready to part with? Chicago Car Club gives vintage vehicles a new story—and a respectful sendoff
Freddy's Auto Recycling — Extra parts in the garage? Freddy’s will take them off your hands and make sure they’re recycled the right way
Construction Materials & Furniture
Habitat for Humanity ReStore Chicago — Leftover tiles, tools, or cabinets? Habitat ReStore accepts building materials and home improvement items to support affordable housing projects
Chicago Furniture Bank + The Brown Elephant Resale Shop — Gently used furniture or décor? These organizations rehome your pieces to families and individuals transitioning into stable housing—and keep them out of landfills
College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving — Got a little bit of everything and don’t know where to start? College H.U.N.K.S. offers donation pickup and junk hauling all in one go
Medical Devices, Equipment & Supplies
Devices 4 The Disabled — Gently used wheelchairs, walkers, and other medical equipment can be donated to Devices 4 the Disabled, where they’ll be matched with individuals in need
Pilsen Food Pantry — Unopened, unused medical supplies (like gloves, bandages, or hygiene items) are welcome at Pilsen Food Pantry to support community members with essential care needs
Paper Shredding
FedEx — Your local FedEx charges for paper shredding by the pound
Junk Mail
Federal Trade Commission + Eco-Cycle — Trusted sources for recycling rules, eco-friendly practices, and how to dispose of tricky items the right way
Unroll.me — A free tool to unsubscribe from unwanted emails and declutter your inbox in minutes
Sell Gently Used Clothing & Household Items
Thredup — Easy mail-in service for clothing and accessories
Mercari — Great for everything from clothes to kitchen gadgets
Poshmark — erfect for fashion lovers looking to sell name-brand items
Facebook Marketplace — Local, fast, and easy for furniture or bulkier household items
The RealReal — High-end consignment for designer fashion, home goods, and more
Recycling Solutions
Terracycle — is on a mission to eliminate the idea of waste. From individuals to businesses and local governments, they partner with people around the world to keep hard-to-recycle items out of landfills. With creative programs for recycling and reuse, they’re leading the charge in redefining what we throw away
Personal Help
Clutterer's Anonymous — If you're feeling overwhelmed by clutter or think you may be struggling with hoarding tendencies, Clutterer's Anonymous offers a compassionate, judgment-free 12-step support group to help you navigate it—one step at a time
The Schulman Center — If shopping feels out of control or you're noticing patterns that don't align with your values, The Shulman Center offers expert support for compulsive buying and shopaholic behaviors—available in person or virtually, wherever you are in the world
Not sure where something goes?
We’re always happy to guide you. If you're working with us on an organizing project, we’ll help facilitate donation drop-offs whenever possible—or point you in the right direction for safe, responsible recycling.
Let’s make space with intention—and lighten the load for someone else, too.
Service Area:
North Side Chicago, Northern Cook County & Lake County Suburbs.
