Department of Sanitation launches donateNYC

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has announced the launch of donateNYC, a program designed to make finding and giving second-hand goods easier for New Yorkers. donateNYC provides residents with a website and mobile app to help them search by material and location to find the most convenient place to give or find reusable goods. For local nonprofit organizations in need of donated goods, or businesses looking to donate, donateNYC offers an online materials exchange where they can connect, donate and receive reusable goods.

“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 Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. “By donating and reusing goods instead of discarding them, New Yorkers can greatly reduce waste, and conserve energy, resources and money. donateNYC will help us reach our goal of sending zero waste to landfills by 2030, a target included in Mayor de Blasio’s OneNYC plan.”

In addition to these services, DSNY continues its support of New York City’s nonprofit reuse sector through its donateNYC partnership program. Partner organizations include thrift stores, clothing banks, social service providers, creative arts programs, and community-based reuse programs. Formerly known as ReuseNYC, this partnership is designed as a trade network for local nonprofit donation and reuse programs that accept and locally distribute second-hand items.

As the City continues towards its goal of sending zero waste to landfills by 2030, donateNYC partners will help the City reach its goal by providing verifiable data needed to assess progress. In 2015, partner organizations diverted more than 40 million pounds of material from landfills — creating a reduction of over 60,000 tons of carbon emissions. Partner organizations also served more than 1.3 million New Yorkers last year through family services, housing/sheltering, healthcare, workforce development and food bank programs.

The app is available in iOS and android; search “donateNYC.”.