Donations
Colorado Springs is open for donation on Saturdays from 10 am - 2 pm. and Thursdays by appointment
Thank you so much for the outpouring of support from our communities and all of your thoughtful donations. Our success is due to you!
We have a favor to ask. When donating items, we remind you to please only donate during our posted hours. We would appreciate that you do not leave unattended items at our front of door. We could be ticketed for littering, blocking pathways and entrances to other storefronts which is against the fire code. We are unable to accept some items due to legal or liability risks, safety or hazardous and universal waste concerns, recycling and disposal fees. If it looks like trash then it is trash and should be disposed of properly or by recycling.
Total Visitors: 158,184
Total pounds diverted from Landfill: 426,375.83
2020 Volunteer Hours: 700
Our reuse centers to date, have diverted (213.2 tons) of clean, reusable materials from ending up in the El Paso and Larimer County landfills since collection began in July 2015.
2020
COS - 34,795.1 pounds donated and diverted as of July 31, 2020
FoCo - 10,303.5 pounds donated and diverted as of February 29, 2020
2020 Volunteer Hours - 700
2019 (139,258.5 total pounds diverted = 69.63 tons)
COS - 79,009.5 pounds donated and diverted as of December 30, 2019
FoCo - 60,249 pounds donated and diverted as of December 30, 2019
2019 Volunteer Hours: 14,594.75
2018 (97,967 total pounds diverted = 49 tons)
COS - 43,661.0 donated and diverted as of December 29, 2018
FoCo - 54,306.00 pounds donated and diverted as of December 29, 2018
2017
COS - 48,078.70 pounds diverted
FoCo - 29,949.90 pounds diverted
2016
COS - 48,660.05 pounds diverted
FoCo - 18,257.90 pounds diverted
2015
COS - 9,391.53 pounds donated and diverted
1202 customers served (Nov.1- Dec 31)
Holiday specific items will only be accepted one - two months prior to that holiday. Thank you.
When donating, it is very helpful if you sort and organize your donated items and to not have boxes or bags that weigh over 20 pounds. We are a small organization and we appreciate your helping us by having this done in advance. All materials should be clean, smoke free and in good condition. If you think something is gross, chances are others will feel the same way. Your support is amazing and we have a very eclectic variety of items in our shop because of you! Thank you so much for your donations.
If unsure about making a donation, please call us. THANK YOU!
Click here for the most up-to-date version of this list.
Here is a list of just a few things we accept:
Holiday specific items will only be accepted three months prior to that holiday. Thank you.
PAPER - Copy paper, cardstock, letterhead, envelopes, art paper, and pads, construction paper, scrapbook paper, rolls of paper, poster board, paper sample books, select art books, blueprints, sturdy cardboard tubes, maps.
FABRIC AND NOTIONS - Fabric (1/4 yard and up appreciated), smoke and pet hair free, zippers, buttons, beads, jewelry pieces, thread, sewing supplies, sewing tools, ribbon, Velcro, leather, yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks, patterns, raw wool, felt. ***We regret that we cannot accept pillow covers, or bedding.
ARTIST SUPPLIES - Most types of paint, brushes, pastels, glue, chalk, ink, carving tools, stencils, transfer letters, crayons, markers, rulers, clay, glue guns, silk screens, canvas (blank and used), easels.
CRAFT SUPPLIES - Pipe cleaners, craft foam, glitter, doll supplies, marbles, game and puzzle pieces, silk flowers, wine corks, buttons, candle wax, and popsicle sticks.
COLLAGE & SCRAPBOOKING - Stickers, scrapbook paper, embellishments, punches, rubber stamps, stamp pads, playing cards, maps, calendars, select art magazines, postage stamps, photographs.
GIFT WRAP & PARTY SUPPLIES - Wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue, greeting cards, party decorations, ribbon and bows, mylar balloons.
GLASS - stained glass, fusing glass, leaded glass, lamp working glass, and glass windows.
MAT BOARD, FRAMING, SIGN MAKING - Mat board, foam core, frames, acrylic, corrugated plastic, sign board, adhesive vinyl, photo albums, frames and Plexiglas.
ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN - Formica samples, wallpaper, tile, paint chip samples, fabric books, upholstery swatches, contact paper. ***We regret that we cannot accept carpet samples at this time.
OFFICE SUPPLIES - Pens, pencils, erasers, scissors, hole punches, staplers, staples, staple removers, tape dispensers, tape, file folders (manila, pocket and hanging), transparencies, rubber bands, paperclips, envelopes, labels, organizers, note pads, clipboards.
CONTAINERS - Small glass jars (baby food), Mason jars, tins, small cardboard boxes, paper shopping bags, plastic crates, cigar boxes, Rubbermaid type bins, and buckets.
MEDIA/TECH - Records, film canisters, slides, coated wire, motherboards, photography equipment, overhead projectors, slide projectors.
METAL - Bottle caps, tins, metal fixtures (hooks, doorknobs, etc.), uncoated wire, and keys.
WOOD - Small blocks and boards (untreated), sheets of cork, craft wood, spools, dowels, stretcher bars, popsicle sticks.
PLASTIC - Animal figurines, school manipulatives, bins & containers. ***We regret that we cannot large plastic toys.
JEWELRY - Broken or new - necklaces (chains, beaded, mardi gras beads, shell), bracelets, earrings, rings, pins, watches, loose beads, jewelry findings.
Donations are accepted during our listed hours. We would appreciate it if you do not leave items unattended outside our door. Click here to see our entire list of acceptable items.
What We Cannot Accept
Unfortunately we can’t accept all donations. Here’s a list of things we DO NOT accept:
We are unable to accept the following items due to legal or liability risks, safety or hazardous and universal waste concerns, recycling and disposal fees. If it looks like trash then it is trash and should be disposed of properly or by recycling.
NO Bedding & Pillows
NO Beer, wine, liquor, soda and water bottles
NO Binding Machines
NO Building Materials
No Christmas Decor' (start accepting in July)
NO Clothes/Shoes
No Dried Flowers
NO Food Containers
NO Healthcare Items: Crutches, Walkers, Intubators, Braces, etc.
NO Curriculum (teaching curriculum can be traded in our Facebook group starting in June)
NO VHS, DVD’s and cassette tapes
No Plastic Dishes (solo plates/cups/mugs, plastic dishware, dish racks, etc.)
NO Encyclopedias & Outdated Text Books (unless vintage)
NO Fabric scraps smaller than 1/4 of a yard
NO Fireplace Tools
No Furniture made of particle board, or upholstered,
NO Broken mirrors with sharp edges
NO Hazardous/Flammable materials (House paint/varnish, fuels, solvents, dead batteries, etc..
NO Electronics: items not on our accepted list, including but not limited to: Loose Cords and Cables, Phones, Computers, TVs,
NO Monitors, Appliances: Toasters, Rice Cookers, Coffee Makers, DVD Players, Heaters, Routers, Printers/Scanners, Phones, Fans,
NO Shredders, Vacuums, etc.
NO Media: VHS, Home-recorded Media (VHS or cassettes)
NO over sized Plastic Toys
NO Paper Products with Mildew or water Damage
NO Plastic bottle caps
NO Printers, used ink cartridges and software
NO Promotional Materials (Calendars, Cards, Address Labels, Mugs, etc.)
NO Sports Items (Golf Clubs, Used Helmets, Ice Skates, Weight Sets)
NO Styrofoam & Packing Peanuts
Suitcases (only hard cases)
NO Used Tile (Bathroom, Patio, unless cleaned)
NO Broken tile, ceramic pieces or broken dishes
Click here for the El Paso County Recycling Directory
To make a monetary donation to support educational programming by Who Gives a SCRAP, please mail a check to:
520 W. Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80905
Who Gives a SCRAP is a public benefit corporation whose mission is trash diversion. We are currently accepting donations in the name of Art SWAP. Art SWAP is a 501(c)(3) in existence to enhance Colorado communities by creating job opportunities, promoting community involvement, preserving the environment and raising awareness through the recycling of arts and craft supplies. Art SWAP provides educational and community outreach programs and collaborative joint ventures with other organizations. The Internal Revenue Service requires us to inform you that you may deduct this donation from your taxes. Please refer to this letter as substantiation for your tax purposes that no goods or services were exchanged for this donation. ** The IRS state’s that it is the donor’s responsibility to determine the value of the donation and items donated may be deductible for income tax purposes at their “fair market value.”
Thank you so much for the outpouring of support from our communities and all of your thoughtful donations. Our success is due to you!
We have a favor to ask. When donating items, we remind you to please only donate during our posted hours. We would appreciate that you do not leave unattended items at our front of door. We could be ticketed for littering, blocking pathways and entrances to other storefronts which is against the fire code. We are unable to accept some items due to legal or liability risks, safety or hazardous and universal waste concerns, recycling and disposal fees. If it looks like trash then it is trash and should be disposed of properly or by recycling.
Total Visitors: 158,184
Total pounds diverted from Landfill: 426,375.83
2020 Volunteer Hours: 700
Our reuse centers to date, have diverted (213.2 tons) of clean, reusable materials from ending up in the El Paso and Larimer County landfills since collection began in July 2015.
2020
COS - 34,795.1 pounds donated and diverted as of July 31, 2020
FoCo - 10,303.5 pounds donated and diverted as of February 29, 2020
2020 Volunteer Hours - 700
2019 (139,258.5 total pounds diverted = 69.63 tons)
COS - 79,009.5 pounds donated and diverted as of December 30, 2019
FoCo - 60,249 pounds donated and diverted as of December 30, 2019
2019 Volunteer Hours: 14,594.75
2018 (97,967 total pounds diverted = 49 tons)
COS - 43,661.0 donated and diverted as of December 29, 2018
FoCo - 54,306.00 pounds donated and diverted as of December 29, 2018
2017
COS - 48,078.70 pounds diverted
FoCo - 29,949.90 pounds diverted
2016
COS - 48,660.05 pounds diverted
FoCo - 18,257.90 pounds diverted
2015
COS - 9,391.53 pounds donated and diverted
1202 customers served (Nov.1- Dec 31)
Holiday specific items will only be accepted one - two months prior to that holiday. Thank you.
When donating, it is very helpful if you sort and organize your donated items and to not have boxes or bags that weigh over 20 pounds. We are a small organization and we appreciate your helping us by having this done in advance. All materials should be clean, smoke free and in good condition. If you think something is gross, chances are others will feel the same way. Your support is amazing and we have a very eclectic variety of items in our shop because of you! Thank you so much for your donations.
If unsure about making a donation, please call us. THANK YOU!
Click here for the most up-to-date version of this list.
Here is a list of just a few things we accept:
Holiday specific items will only be accepted three months prior to that holiday. Thank you.
PAPER - Copy paper, cardstock, letterhead, envelopes, art paper, and pads, construction paper, scrapbook paper, rolls of paper, poster board, paper sample books, select art books, blueprints, sturdy cardboard tubes, maps.
FABRIC AND NOTIONS - Fabric (1/4 yard and up appreciated), smoke and pet hair free, zippers, buttons, beads, jewelry pieces, thread, sewing supplies, sewing tools, ribbon, Velcro, leather, yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks, patterns, raw wool, felt. ***We regret that we cannot accept pillow covers, or bedding.
ARTIST SUPPLIES - Most types of paint, brushes, pastels, glue, chalk, ink, carving tools, stencils, transfer letters, crayons, markers, rulers, clay, glue guns, silk screens, canvas (blank and used), easels.
CRAFT SUPPLIES - Pipe cleaners, craft foam, glitter, doll supplies, marbles, game and puzzle pieces, silk flowers, wine corks, buttons, candle wax, and popsicle sticks.
COLLAGE & SCRAPBOOKING - Stickers, scrapbook paper, embellishments, punches, rubber stamps, stamp pads, playing cards, maps, calendars, select art magazines, postage stamps, photographs.
GIFT WRAP & PARTY SUPPLIES - Wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue, greeting cards, party decorations, ribbon and bows, mylar balloons.
GLASS - stained glass, fusing glass, leaded glass, lamp working glass, and glass windows.
MAT BOARD, FRAMING, SIGN MAKING - Mat board, foam core, frames, acrylic, corrugated plastic, sign board, adhesive vinyl, photo albums, frames and Plexiglas.
ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN - Formica samples, wallpaper, tile, paint chip samples, fabric books, upholstery swatches, contact paper. ***We regret that we cannot accept carpet samples at this time.
OFFICE SUPPLIES - Pens, pencils, erasers, scissors, hole punches, staplers, staples, staple removers, tape dispensers, tape, file folders (manila, pocket and hanging), transparencies, rubber bands, paperclips, envelopes, labels, organizers, note pads, clipboards.
CONTAINERS - Small glass jars (baby food), Mason jars, tins, small cardboard boxes, paper shopping bags, plastic crates, cigar boxes, Rubbermaid type bins, and buckets.
MEDIA/TECH - Records, film canisters, slides, coated wire, motherboards, photography equipment, overhead projectors, slide projectors.
METAL - Bottle caps, tins, metal fixtures (hooks, doorknobs, etc.), uncoated wire, and keys.
WOOD - Small blocks and boards (untreated), sheets of cork, craft wood, spools, dowels, stretcher bars, popsicle sticks.
PLASTIC - Animal figurines, school manipulatives, bins & containers. ***We regret that we cannot large plastic toys.
JEWELRY - Broken or new - necklaces (chains, beaded, mardi gras beads, shell), bracelets, earrings, rings, pins, watches, loose beads, jewelry findings.
Donations are accepted during our listed hours. We would appreciate it if you do not leave items unattended outside our door. Click here to see our entire list of acceptable items.
What We Cannot Accept
Unfortunately we can’t accept all donations. Here’s a list of things we DO NOT accept:
We are unable to accept the following items due to legal or liability risks, safety or hazardous and universal waste concerns, recycling and disposal fees. If it looks like trash then it is trash and should be disposed of properly or by recycling.
NO Bedding & Pillows
NO Beer, wine, liquor, soda and water bottles
NO Binding Machines
NO Building Materials
No Christmas Decor' (start accepting in July)
NO Clothes/Shoes
No Dried Flowers
NO Food Containers
NO Healthcare Items: Crutches, Walkers, Intubators, Braces, etc.
NO Curriculum (teaching curriculum can be traded in our Facebook group starting in June)
NO VHS, DVD’s and cassette tapes
No Plastic Dishes (solo plates/cups/mugs, plastic dishware, dish racks, etc.)
NO Encyclopedias & Outdated Text Books (unless vintage)
NO Fabric scraps smaller than 1/4 of a yard
NO Fireplace Tools
No Furniture made of particle board, or upholstered,
NO Broken mirrors with sharp edges
NO Hazardous/Flammable materials (House paint/varnish, fuels, solvents, dead batteries, etc..
NO Electronics: items not on our accepted list, including but not limited to: Loose Cords and Cables, Phones, Computers, TVs,
NO Monitors, Appliances: Toasters, Rice Cookers, Coffee Makers, DVD Players, Heaters, Routers, Printers/Scanners, Phones, Fans,
NO Shredders, Vacuums, etc.
NO Media: VHS, Home-recorded Media (VHS or cassettes)
NO over sized Plastic Toys
NO Paper Products with Mildew or water Damage
NO Plastic bottle caps
NO Printers, used ink cartridges and software
NO Promotional Materials (Calendars, Cards, Address Labels, Mugs, etc.)
NO Sports Items (Golf Clubs, Used Helmets, Ice Skates, Weight Sets)
NO Styrofoam & Packing Peanuts
Suitcases (only hard cases)
NO Used Tile (Bathroom, Patio, unless cleaned)
NO Broken tile, ceramic pieces or broken dishes
Click here for the El Paso County Recycling Directory
To make a monetary donation to support educational programming by Who Gives a SCRAP, please mail a check to:
520 W. Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80905
Who Gives a SCRAP is a public benefit corporation whose mission is trash diversion. We are currently accepting donations in the name of Art SWAP. Art SWAP is a 501(c)(3) in existence to enhance Colorado communities by creating job opportunities, promoting community involvement, preserving the environment and raising awareness through the recycling of arts and craft supplies. Art SWAP provides educational and community outreach programs and collaborative joint ventures with other organizations. The Internal Revenue Service requires us to inform you that you may deduct this donation from your taxes. Please refer to this letter as substantiation for your tax purposes that no goods or services were exchanged for this donation. ** The IRS state’s that it is the donor’s responsibility to determine the value of the donation and items donated may be deductible for income tax purposes at their “fair market value.”