Reduce and Reuse

Reduce - Source reduction is the first step in eliminating waste.

Junk Mail - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection provides guidance for stopping junk mail and email, click to learn about what steps you can take: https://www.mass.gov/guides/consumer-guide-to-stopping-junk-mail.

Telemarketing Calls - The Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls.  Click for more information: https://www.donotcall.gov/

Reducing and Reusing go hand-in-hand and the RDF has 3 areas dedicated to Reuse.  

The Reusables Area (Take-it-or-Leave-It) is a swap area run by the Friends of Recycling Volunteers (FOR), a community based non-profit organization made up of Wellesley residents dedicated to helping the Town’s recycling program, and is open April through November.  You can take and donate most household items that are in working order or easily repairable.  In order to ensure that all residents have an opportunity to shop, please limit your visits to 30 minutes per day. 

Visit the Friends of Recycling Volunteers (FOR) website for information or to sign up to volunteer. 

Unfortunately, we can’t take everything so click here for a list of unacceptable items. 

• If you wish to donate, check Pinpoint Donation for charities in the Wellesley area
• Also Sustainable Wellesley has information on other donation items and options 
• The Reusables area was featured on the news program "Chronicle" on WCVB-Channel 5
• Volunteers are always needed to staff the area. Interested? Sign Up.
• Friends of Recycling Wellesley Website

 The Book Exchange is available for donating and taking books in good condition.  

 The Health Care drop-off area is available for donating and taking crutches, canes, wheel chairs and other medical equipment.

Wellesley works with "BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER" This non-profit will do a free in-home pick-up of textiles and house hold items that would normally go to our Reusable Area.Contact their Metro-West office: 1-508-466-4590 Website.

Wellesley works with "GREEN TEAM Junk Removal" of Holliston To expand our REUSE offering to Wellesley residents & businesses. Fees apply. For large bulky re-use items: couches, beds, dressers - furniture! GREEN TEAM recycles, reuses, and donates 80% of what they haul to those most in need in communities across eastern - central MA! Call 508-361-0519 & visit: Website
 
Other Opportunities: We also encourage you to seek out reuse opportunities outside of the facility. Freecycle, Craigslist, Facebook, Nextdoor and other on-line services can be a great way of exchanging items. The Federal Trade Commission provides guidance for consumers on how to protect your personal information; go to their web page at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/topics/privacy-identity-online-security. There are also several furniture donation non-profits in Massachusetts that may suit your needs. Here are links to a few:

• Household Goods
• Project Just Because
• Fresh Start Furniture Bank
• Furnishing Hope MA
• New Life Furniture Bank