Everything You Need To Know To Donate Responsibly

Small Kitchen Appliances, clean & working

Dishes, Utensils, Containers

Pots and Pans, clean without rust, scratches, dents (metal items can be recycled)

Shampoos and Soaps, 1/2 full or more

Cleaning Supplies, 1/2 full or more

Clothing, clean and dry (no mud, dirt or pet hair.  We are unable to launder clothing and these items cannot be baled for recycling and must be thrown away)

Shoes and Boots, wearable

Books and Magazines

Knick Knacks & Tchotchkes, clean

CDs / DVDs / VHS / Cassettes / Records, no homemade recordings

Working Radios / DVD / VHS players (broken electronics can be recycled)

Furniture, unbroken, no rips, stains, mold, grime, no Hide-a-Beds

Strollers / Highchairs / Infant & Nursery Gear, clean

Outdoor Equipment, clean

Sports & Exercise Equipment 

Hand Tools / Gardening Items, clean

Jewelry

Games & Puzzles

Toys, clean and unbroken (broken electronic toys can be recycled)

Linens and Bedding, clean

Craft and Party Supplies

Pet Supplies, clean

Ceiling Fans, disassembled and boxed with all parts

Large Appliances: fridge, stove, mini fridge, air conditioner, wash machine, dryer

Microwaves

Dirty or worn out bras, socks, underwear:  these items cannot be recycled with the other textiles

Car Seats / Booster Seats

Diabetic Testing Supplies / Prescription Medicines / Orthotics (boots)

Dirty or Broken Items

Molded or Mildewed Items 

Televisions

Computers or Computer Equipment:  Laptops, Monitors, CPUs, Keyboards, Printers

Hazardous Chemicals / Cleaners

Paint / Varnish

Carbon Monoxide / Fire Detectors / Fire Extinguishers

CFL / Fluorescent Bulbs / Used Light Bulbs

Mattresses / Foam Pads / Box Springs

Dehumidifiers

Car Batteries / Tires

Ceiling Fans, fully assembled

Many of the above items cannot be resold or reused for legal, injurious, hazardous or recall reasons.  

If you are unsure about donating an item please contact us!  Pictures of large furniture items can be emailed to us for approval prior to transporting.

We accept all seasonal items year round.

Please recycle or throw away any items that have been improperly stored, received pet, fire or water damage or are moldy, musty or mildewed.  Not only can these items not be sold but sorting through them poses a health risk to our staff and volunteers.

Please clean items that are simply dusty and dirty from long term storage but are still in good, useable condition. The Depot Outlet does not employ cleaning people and our staff and volunteers simply do not have the time to thoroughly clean items as they are being processed for sale.

The dumpster behind the Depot Outlet store is for Depot Outlet use only and is not a container for donations or community garbage.

We are happy to offer an After Hours Donation Room in order to accept donations at times it is convenient for you to drop them off with us.  Please do not leave donated items outside of the building subject to weather, theft and vandalism.

Donated items that are unsellable due to cleanliness, poor condition or are unusable take both time and money from the Depot Outlet's mission of giving local.  Every pound of garbage that has to be sent to the landfill reduces the amount we can give back to Winneshiek County.  

Please consider the size and weight of the boxes or bags you choose to fill with donations.  The Depot Outlet does not employ body builders so boxes and bags that are too big, too heavy, too bulky or too awkward for you to carry means they are also too big, too heavy, too bulky and too awkward for the Depot Outlet staff.