With the start of longer and warmer days, millions of people around the world are reminded to participate in the subconscious tradition of ‘spring cleaning’. The seasonal phenomenon dates back to ancient times, encouraging people to look deeper into their closets, garages and kitchens. Whether it’s clearing out the dust or getting rid of things that no longer serve a purpose, spring cleaning is a time to refresh and renew.
In Westchester the trend is no different. This guide will show you some great local resources to help with recycling, donating and selling items to prepare for summer.
Westchester County Facilities
The Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF) located at 15 Woods Road in Valhalla is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment only. The H-MRF is ideal for items that require special handling, such as old electronics, batteries, propane tanks, or even hazardous household waste. It serves not just families, but also schools, institutions, and businesses that qualify as Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG). H-MRF will also accept unwanted medications on most first Tuesdays of each month by appointment only.
Finally, shredding help for confidential personal documents is also supplied as long as you’re not representing any businesses. While there may be fees for residents of certain towns, such as Somers, North Salem, and Bedford, this is only because these areas don’t pay taxes toward the Refuse Disposal District No. 1 (RDD). To find out if any fees apply to you, visit their website or call the Recycling Helpline at (914) 813-5425.
Furniture Sharehouse
Furniture Sharehouse, located in Building #3 on Airport Road at the Westchester County Airport in White Plains is Westchester’s only furniture bank. They provide essential home furnishings to individuals and families in need. This volunteer-run organization helps people transitioning out of homelessness or living in difficult conditions by providing them with free furniture, including beds, sofas, tables, and even artwork, turning houses into homes for people in need.
In business for over 18 years and helping over 18,000 clients receive over 100,000 pieces of donated furniture. Founder and Executive Director Kate Bialo ensures that their donation guidelines supply clean and practical furniture to those who need it the most. “What’s important about this is that we give away the furniture for free. We make sure it gets to the people that need it the most at a time when they really need it,” Bialo said.
If you have furniture to donate, you can drop it off at the warehouse on Wednesdays and Thursdays, or every third Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Furniture can also be picked up for a fee. To make sure your items meet their donation guidelines, check out their website.
furnituresharehouse.org
Luxe Luxury Labels
LUXE Luxury Labels located at 41 Maple Avenue in Armonk is an authentic resale store selling name-brand handbags, shoes, jewelry and accessories. If you have luxury items you no longer use, you can sell them through their website or by visiting their store in person.
Whether it’s a Chanel handbag or a Rolex watch, LUXE will review your items and, if approved, offer you a buyout quote within one to two days. Find them on Instagram @LuxeLuxuryLabels.
Fantastic Finds
Fantastic Finds, located at 400 King Street #6 in Chappaqua, is an upscale resale shop that benefits cancer support services through Support Connection.
Support Connection is a non-profit organization that offers breast and ovarian cancer support. Together with Fantastic Finds, volunteer staff accept new and gently used clothing, jewelry, furniture, housewares, and musical instruments, with all proceeds going directly to cancer patients in need of resources like counseling, support groups, and wellness services.
If you’re looking to donate some of your gently used items for the benefit of ovarian and breast cancer patients, you can do so by appointment. Please check their donation guidelines to see what is and isn’t accepted. Their hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
supportconnection.org/fantastic-finds/
