Waste generated by businesses can be reduced through the socially and environmentally responsible act of donation. Many social service organizations in the Twin Cities metro area are in continuous need of food, clothing, household items and office goods. By donating your overstocked inventory and gently used office equipment and supplies, you can:

• Obtain a receipt for tax deductions.
• Help advance a worthy cause.
• Save valuable natural resources.

Below are locations that businesses can donate to:

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County Agencies

The following agencies serve their county residents by providing food, housing, clothing and other programs through donations. Items accepted from businesses vary; call first.

Anoka Anoka County Community Action Program (ACCAP) (763) 783-4747 Carver CAP Agency, Inc. (952) 496-2125 Dakota CAP Agency, Inc. (651) 322-3500 Hennepin People Responding in Social Ministry (PRISM) (763) 529-1350 Ramsey Ramsey County Community Human Services (651) 266-4444 Washington Community Action - A Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties (651) 645-6445

Case Study Diverting C&D Waste from Landfills The Minneapolis-based Green Institute's ReUse Center and Deconstruction Services today sell $1 million in salvaged materials to over 30,000 customers annually. Driven by tax-deductible individual and business donations, these programs divert construction and demolition waste materials from landfills by salvaging and selling a broad range of reusable materials.  One can find everything from lumber and metal to doors, windows and plumbing. Together, the programs provide 30 training-oriented jobs with living wages and benefits for community residents. Accepts appliances, electronics, recyclables (cans only) and scrap metal with limited redemption; ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal (fees apply); accepts appliances, batteries and fluorescent lamps

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Non-Profit Agencies

To locate agencies that accept donations, check the list below, see the local phone directory under "Social Service Organizations" or contact your favorite charity.

Food Banks

Food Banks are clearinghouses for donated food and grocery products distributed to food shelves, soup kitchens and other non-profit agencies whose mission is to help people in need. Check the list below or For additional listings, see Food.

General Items

View the list below, for more options, see the Hennepin County Donation Opportunities Brochure.

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Case Study

One Company's Used Peanuts Are Another's Gold
Using the Minnesota Materials Exchange allowed Superior Third Party Logistics in St. Paul to stretch its budget by receiving free packaging materials. The company needs a consistent supply of quality packaging materials to operate its warehouse and shipping business. Having used the Materials Exchange previously, the company's operations manager thought the program could save the company money by finding good, usable items - and it did. EI Microcircuits in Mankato was looking for a recipient for its used bubble wrap and packing peanuts. The Materials Exchange matched the two businesses, and the warehouse now receives 720 cubic feet of materials from EI Microcircuits every two months. Reusing the materials saves Superior about $5,000 a year in purchase costs. Author: Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) www.mntap.umn.edu

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Business Items

Business can donate computers, office furniture and supplies along with quality reusable goods thru some of the programs listed below. How can your business help?

School Support

View the list below or check with your local school for more donation opportunities.

Building Materials

View the list below or for more options, search your local phone directory under "Salvage-Merchandise."