To Donate Materials

If the information below doesn't answer your questions, please contact us at 301-985-5180.

If we don't pick-up please leave a detailed message on extension 2. You may also send us detailed information (item description, quantity, condition, age, material and pictures) at donations@communityforklift.com.

When?

Wednesday, 12 pm – 6:30 pm, and Thursday - Saturday, 9 am – 4:30 pm.

Where?

Our warehouse is at 4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston, MD 20781 (in the Hyattsville area). Check out the "directions" section of our website for detailed directions. Describe what you have to a staff member, and they’ll direct you to the proper loading bay.

If you are a contractor, manufacturer, or business, we may be able to pick up your large donations in our box truck. In addition, we can occasionally pick up very large or very high end donations from homeowners. Please call 301-985-5180 for details.

If you are going to pay someone to haul your stuff to the landfill, please consider hiring Junk In the Trunk to haul it to us instead. They are an environmentally friendly trash hauler with very competitive rates (www.JITT.com or 202-667-JITT). They will bring your donation to us, dispose of any rejected items, and give you the tax deduction letter.

What will we accept?

It’s always best to call ahead (301-985-5180). Community Forklift’s primary focus is building materials; that is, the items you would find at a hardware store or home improvement center. We reserve the right to accept or reject things on a case-by-case basis, depending on condition and how many items we already have in that category. The list of acceptable items may change at any time.

To expedite the intake of your donation at Community Forklift, we highly recommend that you bring a written inventory of the items you would like to donate. The items we don't take we will cross of the list. This is especially helpful if you are bringing more than just a few things.

Unfortunately, we often have too many of one type of item, and are temporarily unable to accept more in that category. We know we sometimes turn away decent stuff, and we really hate it (it breaks our treehuggin’ hearts). But we have a limited amount of space, and in order to stay in operation, we can only accept what sells quickly! To help remedy this problem, please keep spreading the word about us – the more customers we have, the more quickly things sell.

We do not have a dumpster, so you are not able to leave rejected items with us (Our store trash cans are emptied for free by Junk In the Trunk, an environmentally conscious hauler. Aren’t they generous? www.JITT.com).

Like most nonprofit operations, we have a small staff, so we are much more likely to accept your donations if they are already cleaned, and packaged neatly. Masking tape is a great way to package and attach hardware to an item, as it leaves less residue than duct tape.

The following list gives you some guidelines for donations. Note that we may be more flexible about damage or cleanliness if it is a beautiful antique or very high-end item. This list is subject to change at any time.

Remember:

• Salvaged = used Surplus = new, complete with all parts, never been used or installed

Guidelines

Appliances – MUST be complete and you must verify that they are in good working order. They should be clean (no mold or grease). Check to make sure the seals around the door are in good shape, and the plastic is not very yellowed. In case we cannot accept your item, check the phone book or www.BuildersRecyclingGuide.com for an area recycler – you may get some money for the scrap metal.

• Air conditioning window units – no more than 15 years old. Also, we are not able to accept them if they are particularly loud and rackety.
• Dishwashers – no older than 5 years old
• Fridges and freezers – no older than 15 years old. No mold.
• Microwaves – no older than 10 years old. Must be clean, inside and out.
• Stoves – modern electric stoves are fine. Gas stoves may be any age, as long as the thermostat is working, meaning that the temperature stays consistent while baking. Must be clean, inside and out. Antique gas stoves will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Range hoods and fans - Must be complete and less than 10 years old. Should be cleaned thoroughly, inside and out – we will not accept them with much grease.
• Wash machines and dryers – no older than 15 years old. No rust on the inside.
• Kitchen gadgets (mixers, food processors, Foreman grills, etc) – No. There is a Salvation Army nearby on Kenilworth Avenue.

Cabinets – We are more likely to accept sets of cabinets than one or two mismatched ones. We cannot accept them if they are missing doors or drawers.

• Metal – Sometimes we have too many of these. Unless it is a set in amazing shape, without rust or damage, we encourage you to offer them on www.Freecycle.org – you may find someone who wants them for their garage.
• Particleboard – must be in good shape – no big gouges, torn sides, delaminating, swelling, or serious water damage.
• Solid wood or plywood – we are more likely to be interested, as these are more valuable than particleboard

Ceiling Fans – must be in great shape, and have ALL of the parts, including all mounting hardware, securely packaged or fastened together. Disassembled sets in clean, sturdy boxes are preferred.

Chemicals – no unless they have never been opened, the seal is unbroken, the label and container is pristine, they have never been stored in extreme heat or cold, and they are no more than 3 years old. There are different rules for paint and sealants – please see paint category below.

Commercial equipment – stuff that Darrell or Donna Do-It-Yourselfer could not easily use in their home – probably not. Call us to check.

Computer parts and accessories – no. One exception: Community Forklift IS looking for new computers in excellent shape (no more than three years old, with XP or Vista) to replace the 4 and 5 year old computers in our office. We do not need mice, keyboards, bulky monitors, or any computers that need work. Please call us in advance if your office is getting rid of computers that are no more than 3 years old and in excellent shape.

Electronics (VCRS, TVs, stereos, etc) – absolutely not

Doors - many customers are looking for doors. We especially appreciate front doors in nice shape, French doors, and decorative antique doors.

• Doors may have only minor damage (it’s not very dirty, no water damage, no rot, no broken panes, pets have not chewed on it, no big gouges or terrible peeling paint, it’s not de-laminating, etc.) One exception: antique French doors are in high demand, and we may consider them even if they have a little damage.
• Hollow flat/flush doors – salvaged/used, no. If we have enough space in the door area, we will consider flush hollow doors only if they are brand new, never been used, in excellent shape.
• Flat/flush doors with a particleboard core – if we have enough space in the door area, we will consider them if they in excellent shape and faced with nice wood (oak, mahogany, etc.)
• Hollow panel doors –If we have enough space in the door area, we will consider them only if they are new or like-new, in excellent shape.
• Louvered bifold closet doors – we are more likely to accept them if you have the tracks or mounting hardware securely attached. We are less likely to accept them if they have heavy coats of paint.
• Storm doors: we prefer for them have both the screen and the storm windows (we prefer to have the glass storm panel in the door, and to have the screen taped to the door with masking tape).

Furniture

• Bookshelves or built-in cabinets – okay (particleboard will not be accepted unless it is in EXCELLENT shape).
• Particleboard desks, stands, or file cabinets – NO
• Solid wood furniture – prefer antique or in great shape – yes on a case-by-case basis
• Upholstered – office chairs, couches, anything with cloth on it - no
• Tall metal file cabinets – no, not unless they’re in pristine condition
• Short metal file cabinets – yes
• Commercial furniture, restaurant kitchen equipment, cubicle dividers, etc. – Probably not, but call us to check if it is something high-end, or it is suitable for a small business or nonprofit.

Hardware – It is very difficult for us to sort through big jumbled boxes. Please do your best to package different types of hardware neatly.

• Antique doorknobs, knob parts, and hardware – yes, especially if glass, brass, porcelain, or decorative!
• Modern doorknobs – yes, must be complete, and each one must be packaged individually in a small box. If you can’t find a small box, then each one MUST HAVE ALL PARTS securely taped together with masking tape and be sealed in a ziplock bag. Boxes or bags of multiple locksets jumbled together will not be accepted. Modern keyed locks MUST have keys securely taped to them.
• Hinges – must be complete, with both sides of the hinge and the hinge pin.

Lighting

• We do like to receive chandeliers, ceiling lights, and wall sconces in good shape. Please attach all mounting hardware securely. A crystal or glass chandelier needs to be packaged carefully, by itself in a sturdy box.
• We accept working floor and table lamps on a case-by-case basis. There is a Salvation Army five minutes away, on Kenilworth Avenue.
• Shop lights, 2x4 florescent lights and recessed lighting – salvaged, no.
• Shop lights, 2x4 florescent lights and complete recessed lighting – surplus, new in the box – we will consider them if we have enough room.
• Used florescent light bulbs and tubes – we are unable to take these because they contain mercury, and we cannot afford to recycle them if they break or burn out. Please check with your city or county solid waste division’s website for proper disposal, or check out www.BuildersRecyclingGuide.com for places to recycle them. We may consider surplus florescent light bulbs if they are brand new, never been used, and still in the package.

Lumber and trim – must be de-nailed and at least 6 feet long. No rot, moisture, water damage, warping, or multiple layers of paint. We may be more flexible about damage, length, or paint if it is a specialty wood like cedar, wormy chestnut, or redwood.

Mortar mix and other powders

• Yes if they are definitely soft.
• Bag is torn up, label barely readable – No. Try to give it away on Freecycle.org.

Medical equipment – No.

Odds and Ends – do you have a big box of small stuff? We are much more likely to accept them if each item is clean and neatly packaged in small containers. This means no crumbling boxes of dirt, leaves, silverware and car parts jumbled in with plumbing pipes, broken tools, tangled wires, and electrical switches. :)

Paint, deck seal, lacquers

• Quart and Gallon Cans that are not full – no
• 5-Gallon Buckets that are at least 2 gallons full - yes
• Has been opened, but full – yes
• Has gone bad or has been stored in an unheated garage and possibly frozen – no

Pet Supplies – no

Shower doors:

• Used shower doors – no
• Any shower doors without tracks – no
• New, surplus shower doors with tracks – fine. The tracks and hardware MUST be SECURELY fastened to the door.

Toilets: We cannot accept toilets with cracks, stains or scaling.

• Water Savers/1.6 gallon toilets – yes.
• Urinals or one-piece toilets – yes, if they are in good shape.
• Old 6-gallon toilets– no, unless they are decorative antiques.

Tubs:

• Claw-footed, art deco, or antique tubs – yes, unless highly damaged.
• Modern tubs – If we have enough room in our tub section, we will consider modern tubs without cracks, chips in the porcelain, rust marks, stains, or paint damage. If we cannot accept your tub, please check the phone book or www.BuildersRecyclingGuide.com for an area recycler – you may even get some money for the scrap metal.

Windows: We will not accept them with broken panes, rot, or water damage. Vinyl should not be cracked, peeling, or yellowed.

• Ordinary, old single glazed (non-insulated panes) wood or vinyl double hung, casement, fixed, or picture windows – no. Two exceptions: we may consider panes with very wavy or bubbled glass (i.e. 100 years old or more). We may also consider sidelights, those tall and narrow windows that go on both sides of a door or large window, as they are popular for craft projects.
• Double glazed (insulated, thick panes) wood or vinyl double hung, casement, fixed, or picture windows – yes, as long as they are in good shape and the sashes are installed in the frame (strapping helps). No loose sashes that are not in the frames. If you have matching storm windows and screens, please attach them securely.
• Stained glass – yes!
• Transom windows (the small rectangle windows over doors in older homes) – yes!

Window Treatments

• Metal, plastic, vertical or mini blinds – Salvaged – No. You may want to try the Salvation Army on Kenilworth Ave. We are only able to accept blinds if they have all mounting hardware, have never been used, and are still in the box.
• Wood or faux-wood blinds – yes, if in excellent shape and they have the mounting hardware.
• Curtains – no (there’s a Salvation Army on Kenilworth Ave)
• Shutters - if we have room in the shutter bin, we will consider them
  • Plantation shutters – we are likely to accept these in good shape.
  • Vinyl exterior shutters – please securely attach all mounting hardware and trim

Remember, it’s always best to call if you have any questions (301-985-5180). We reserve the right to accept or reject things on a case-by-case basis, depending on condition and how many items we already have in that category. This list may change at any time.

Call: 301-985-5180. To leave information about possible material donations: use extension 2
Email: To send us information and pictures of your possible donations use: donations@communityforklift.com,
for everything else use: info@communityforklift.com.
Visit: 4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston, MD 20781   Directions: 5 minutes from DC in Prince George's County
Hours: Thursday through Saturday 9am - 5pm, and Wednesday noon - 7pm
Copyright © 2005-2008 Community Forklift