Fire Extinguishers (11/2022)
RTS
Needham residents with an RTS sticker may bring fire extinguishers to the Main Office.
Some fire extinguishers are rechargeable. See yellow pages under fire equipment and call to check for a fee. Or do a web search: fire equipment Boston area.
Fluorescent Light Bulbs (Tube and CFLs) (11/2022)
All fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury and therefore cannot be thrown out in the trash. Click here for information from EnergyStar. However, their use is encouraged because they are highly energy efficient and cut down on mercury emissions from power plants. Consumers have the choice of buying LED bulbs, which do not contain mercury and are gradually becoming less expensive.
Hardware stores such as LOWE’S and HOME DEPOT accept CFLs for recycling. At the Dedham Lowe’s the bins are at the entrance between the 2 sets of doors; look for a bright orange collection unit at Home Depot.
RTS
Needham residents with an RTS sticker can place fluorescent bulbs in the Universal Waste Shed across from the RTS office — straight, round and U shaped fluorescent lamps, and all types of compact fluorescent (CFLs) lamps. Click here for more information.
Food Donations (11/2022)
NEEDHAM COMMUNITY COUNCIL FOOD PANTRY
781-444-2415 570 Hillside Ave., Needham MA
The Food Pantry now only accepts food donations by way of dedicated Food Drives. If you or an organization would like to have a food drive, please read their guidelines and fill out a Food Drive Interest Form. You can also donate money or order from their Amazon Wish list (goods are delivered directly to Food Pantry).
Frozen Juice Containers (11/2022)
They are made of “wet strength” paper, a type of paper that is not compatible with most paper making processes. Dispose of with regular trash. The metal ends on the containers can be recycled in co-mingle at the RTS.
Furniture and Household Items (Items for pick-up) (7/2023)
BOOMERANGS/AIDS ACTION COMMITTEE
617-524-5120, 716 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain
Accepts only specified gently-used furniture in good condition (no mattresses, futons, or sleeper sofas), as well as clothing, house wares, electronics, jewelry, and more for sale in their thrift store. See guidelines. (From their website as of July 2023: “Please note that we have suspended our furniture pick-up service until further notice. All furniture is accepted on a case by case basis and must have all necessary hardware. “) Proceeds are used to work to prevent new infections, support those affected, and tackle the root causes of HIV/AIDS.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE
(617) 327-1170, 1580 VFW Parkway, W.Roxbury, MA restore@habitatboston.org
Accepts donations of furniture, large and small working appliances (no older than 8 years), usable building materials, home improvement items, kitchen cabinets, and other home items, and resells them to the public at discounted prices. All sales benefit Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston. Click here for a list of acceptable materials. ReStore staff have final say on all donations based on the condition of the item(s) and the store’s needs. Call or email if you are unsure or if you would like to set up a pick-up for qualifying items. Their pick-ups are done for a fee through a company called ReSupply.
NEW LIFE FURNITURE BANK OF MA
102 Elm St., Walpole, MA
Working through referring agencies, New Life provides household furnishings to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness. They accept gently used furniture that will fit in a small apartment and can be moved upstairs without an elevator, as well as certain household items such as kitchen items and linens and towels (ones that you would give to family or a friend), and make them available at no charge to those in need. Furniture must be clean and free of damage and stains – no tears, patches, pet hair, stains, excessive scratches, and marks. To access their donation guidelines for furniture and various types of household items, click on the donation category in the left column.
See their drop-off guidelines designed to keep everyone safe. For furniture pick-ups, see their pick-up guidelines. They charge a fee which depends on where the items to be picked up are located in the home.
SALVATION ARMY
Call 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825) to discuss a free pick up of your clothing, furniture or household items or to find out the nearest drop-off bin location. See details. Smaller items may be dropped off at a store but please call ahead.
SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
781-344-3100 18 Canton Street, Stoughton, MA 02072
See their website for residential pick-up of your furniture. Their pick-ups are done for a fee through a company called ReSupply.
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA
(800) 775-VETS
Accepts small (not large) furniture as well as clothing of all types and sizes, clothing accessories, shoes, baby items, house glassware, books, toys, bikes, stereos, radio, portable TVs, bedding, draperies, curtains, kitchenware, usable small furniture and rugs, small appliances, tools, jewelry, cosmetics. No mattresses. They will pick up at your home. See their donation guidelines. They “only accept items that are small and light enough for one person to easily fit and carry.”
