Dept of Sanitation program makes it easier for New Yorkers to give, find second-hand items

Now when New Yorkers find that old sweater they no longer want or that office chair they no longer need, one new city program will help make it easier to give those items — and array of many others — a second life.

The city’s Department of Sanitation (DSNY) announced on Monday the launch of donateNYC, a program that allows residents to easily find particular second-hand items while also donate whatever they no longer need.

Through a brand new website at nyc.gov/donate and mobile app, donateNYC gives New Yorkers the chance to search by item — ranging from art supplies to household items or electronics to sporting equipment — and location to find the best and nearestplace to give or find reusable items.

According to DSNY, donateNYC will help New York City reach its goal of sending zero waste to landfills by 2030.

“Each year New Yorkers throw out nearly six million tons of waste. However, much of what is thrown away can actually be used again,” said Kathryn Garcia, DSNY Commissioner. “By donating and reusing goods instead of discarding them, New Yorkers can greatly reduce waste, and conserve energy, resources and money.”

By using the search tool on the website, New Yorkers will get detailed information including maps, hours of operation, and specific missions of different nonprofits, thrift shops or reuse organizations.

The new program also allows local nonprofit organizations that are in need of donated goods or businesses looking to donate, the chance to participate in an online material exchange where they can connect with groups, and donate or receive reusable items.

Along with this new program, DSNY also continues to work with the city’s nonprofit reuse sector — including local thrift stores, clothing banks, social service providers, creative arts programs and community-based reuse programs — through its donateNYC partnership program, formerly known as ReuseNYC.

Last year, through working with the partner organizations the city was able to divert over 40 million pounds of material from landfills. The organizations were also able to serve more than 1.3 million New Yorkers in 2015 through workforce development, food bank programs and housing or sheltering.