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El Cerrito Recycling + Environmental Resource Center - El Cerrito - 7501 Schmidt Ln.
El Cerrito Recycling + Environmental Resource Center
7501 Schmidt Ln., El Cerrito, California 94530
(510) 215-4350
Hours:
M-F 8:30-4 , Sa 9-4:45, Closed Su and major holidays
This is a drop-off site only. Accepts most curbside recycling materials in large bins. The Exchange Zone is also home to a free, community book exchange, kids toys, music, and art. The Onsite Donation Trailer accepts accepts a variety of reusable and gently-used materials. Inside the Exchange Zone: Yes - books &magazines, dishware, kitchenware, picture frames, table lamps, tabletop decor, Toys (plastic, wood, metal), board games, puzzles, small sporting equipment (ex. balls, mitts, paddles, rackets, dumbbells, small musical instruments, sewing & knitting supplies ; No - furniture, luggage, pet supplies, tools & hardware, household electronics, garden tools/supplies, stuffed animals, auto supplies, floor lamps, tvs, weapons (real or fake), explosives or ammunition, car seats, cribs or baby carriers.
| Item | Notes | Method | Destination |
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| Aluminum Foil & Pans - Clean | Scrap Aluminum bin. |
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| Arts and Crafts Supplies & Materials | Sewing and knitting supplies. Picture frames. Exchange Zone. Neat & tidy for Onsite Donation Trailer |
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| Audio & Visual Equipment - Non-working | Electronics bin. |
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| Audio & Visual Equipment - Working | Onsite Donation Trailer - Stereos, Speakers, Turntables. Label working with masking/blue tape. |
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| Bath Tub | Scrap Metal bin area if metal. NO porcelain or fiberglass. |
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| Batteries - Automotive or Boat | Batteries area - Car Lead Acid Batteries cubby. |
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| Batteries - Household - Rechargeable (up to 5 lbs) | Batteries area. |
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| Batteries - Household - Single-Use | Batteries area. |
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| Bicycle - Scrap & Parts | Bicycles and bicycle parts bin for donations / exchange. |
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| Bicycle - Working | Bicycles and bicycle parts bin for donations / exchange. |
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| Bimetal Cans (Food & Beverage) - Non-CRV | Scrap Metal bins. |
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| Books - Hard Cover | Good condition: Exchange Zone. Torn/tattered: Mixed Paper bin or DiscoverBooks Bin. Must be clean and dry. Fees apply for quantities of 1/4 cubic yard or more. |
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| Books - Soft Cover | Good condition: Exchange Zone. Torn/tattered: Mixed Paper bin or Discover Books Bin. Must be clean and dry. Fees apply for quantities of 1/4 cubic yard or more. |
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| Cables & Wires - Non-working | Label working with blue/masking tape. Put in Donation Trailer or Exchange Zone. If non-working, put in Electronics Bin. |
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| Cameras & Camcorders - Non-working | Electronics bin. |
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| Cameras & Camcorders - Working | Onsite Donation Trailer. Label working with masking/blue tape. |
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| Cardboard | Flattened cardboard boxes ONLY, no peanuts (some shipping stores accept these for reuse.) Must be clean and dry. |
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| CD/DVD - Commercially Made - Working | Onsite Donation Trailer. Commercially-produced CDs + DVDs in original packaging. NO Home-recorded or broken items. |
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| Cell Phones - Non-working | Electronics bin. |
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| Cell Phones - Working | Electronics bin. Label working with masking/blue tape. |
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| Christmas Lights - Non-working | Electronics bin. |
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| Christmas Lights - Working | Donation trailer. Electronics bin. Label working with masking/blue tape. |
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| Clothes Hangers - Broken | Steel bin for metal hangers. |
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| Clothes Hangers - Metal - Working | Large metal bin in Exchange Zone or scrap metal bin for recycling. |
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| Clothes Hangers - Working | Large metal bin in Exchange Zone. |
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| Clothing - Children's | Onsite Donation Trailer or USAgain Bins (torn or stained ok). Must be clean, dry, and bagged. Dresses, Skirts, Formalwear, Blouses, Shirts, Pants, Jackets, Purses, Bags, Hats, Belts. Linens, Towels, Curtains, Shoes also ok. |
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| Clothing - Good Condition | Onsite Donation Trailer or USAgain Bins (torn or stained ok). Must be clean, dry, and bagged. Dresses, Skirts, Formalwear, Blouses, Shirts, Pants, Jackets, Purses, Bags, Hats, Belts. Linens, Towels, Curtains, Shoes also ok. |
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| Clothing - Poor Condition | Clean clothing, scrap shoes and all textiles can be bagged and placed in the USAgain green and white bins. Including: torn and/or stained condition pillows, towels, sheets, and machine washable rugs. |
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| Collectibles | Exchange Zone.. Household Items such as: Small Sculptures, Paintings. NO broken or soiled items. |
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| Computer Accessories - Non-working | Electronics bin. |
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| Computer Accessories - Working | Label working with blue/masking tape. Put in Donation Trailer |
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| Computer Monitors - Non-working | Electronics bin. |
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| Computer Monitors - Working | Label working with blue/masking tape. Put in Donation Trailer |
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| Computers - Non-working | Electronics bin. |
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| Computers - Working | Label working with blue/masking tape. Put in Donation Trailer or Exchange Zone. |
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| Cooking Oil/Grease/Fats | Residential cooking oil and grease only – no other wastes. Pour cooking oil in the receptacle and recycle your container. |
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| CRV - Aluminum Beverage Containers | Aluminum Cans bin. NO buyback. Find a CRV Redemption Center https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/BevContainer/RecyclingCenters/ |
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| CRV - Bimetal Beverage Containers | Scrap Metal bins. Rinsed clean and dry. NO buyback. Find a CRV Redemption Center https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/BevContainer/RecyclingCenters/ |
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| CRV - Glass Beverage Containers | Glass bins (Clear, Brown, Green). Rinsed clean & sorted by color. NO buyback. Find a CRV Redemption Center https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/BevContainer/RecyclingCenters/ |
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| CRV - Plastic Beverage Containers | Plastic Beverage Containers bin. Items should be clean and dry. NO buyback. Find a CRV Redemption Center https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/BevContainer/RecyclingCenters/ |
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| Doors | ONLY if Metal - put in Steel or Aluminum bins for Scrap Metal. |
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| Electronics - Non-working | AC Adaptors, Audio & Video Equip't, Cable & Cable boxes, CD/DVD Players, Tel & Cell Phones, Computers & Monitors, Ext. cords, greenboards, string lights, laptops, tablets, modems, pda's, power strips & supply, TVs (no DLP), VHS players, Wiring & zip drives. |
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| Electronics - Working | Onsite Donation Trailer accepts Small Electronics such as: Radios, Tablets, Laptops, DVD Players, VCRs, Newer Model Flat-Screen TVs. NO Desktop Computers, Printers, Non-Working Electronics of Any Kind. However, many of these items can be recycled elsewhere within the Recycling Center in the Electronics bin. |
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| Exercise Equipment - Working | If small, offer to Onsite Donation Trailer. If large, put in front of Scrap Metal bin. Label working with masking/blue tape. |
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| Eyeglasses | Lions Club donations - bring into Recycling Office. |
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| Ferrous Scrap Metal/Steel | Scrap Metal bin |
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| Food for Donation | Non-perishable, unopened donations for the Contra Costa Food Bank, within a year of listed date accepted. No glass containers. |
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| Furniture - Small - Working | Onsite Donation Trailer. Small durable furniture in good (salable) condition. No entertainment centers, fiberboard furniture or office furniture (desks, credenzas, conference tables, large desks). No beds, sofa beds, futons, or headboards. No baby furniture. |
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| Furniture - Working | Onsite Donation Trailer. Small durable furniture in good (salable) condition. No entertainment centers, fiberboard furniture or office furniture (desks, credenzas, conference tables, large desks). No beds, sofa beds, futons, or headboards. No baby furniture. |
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| Game Cartridges -Working | Working - Onsite Donation Trailer. Broken - Electronics bin. |
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| Gaming Systems & Accessories - Non-working | Electronics bin. |
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| Gaming Systems & Accessories - Working | Onsite Donation Trailer. |
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| Glass Bottles & Jars (Food & Beverage) - Non-CRV | Glass bins (Clear, Brown, Green). Rinsed clean & sorted by color. |
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| Glassware - Decorative & Kitchen - Working | Exchange zone or Donation Trailer. Dishes, Glasses, Tableware, Vases, Mirrors (framed + unbroken only). NO broken or soiled items. |
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| Houseware - Working | Exchange Zone or Donation Trailer. Kitchen Goods, House Wares such as: Pots + Pans, Plates + Bowls, Silverware, picture frames. Items must be clean and in good, working condition. |
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| Ink Cartridges | Electronics bin. |
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| Jewelry | Onsite Donation Trailer. |
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| Keys | Scrap Metal bin. |
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| Light Bulbs - CFLs | We accept CFLs from residents within the Recyclemore service area. Proof of residency required. |
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| Light Bulbs - Fluorescent Tubes | We accept Fluorescent Tubes from residents within the Recyclemore service area. Proof of residency required. Fees apply for large quantities: 30 feet or more of tubes or 15 or more bulbs. Fees are subject to increase each fiscal year. Please see office staff to pay fees or to ask questions. |
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| Light Bulbs - LED | See staff for assistance. |
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| Linens/Blankets/Towels - Good Condition | Onsite Donation Trailer, or USAgain Bins (torn or stained ok.) Curtains, Clothing, Shoes also ok. All items must be clean and dry. |
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| Linens/Blankets/Towels - Poor Condition | Clean clothing, scrap shoes and all textiles can be bagged and placed in the USAgain green and white bins. Including: torn and/or stained condition pillows, towels, sheets, and machine washable rugs. |
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| Magazines | Good condition - Exchange Zone. Tattered/worn - Mixed Paper bin. |
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| Medications | Fees for non-residents.remove excess packaging; empty pills into Ziploc-type bag for disposal; mix pills together. Liquids, creams, inhalers do not need to be bagged. Check online for more information on how to use the disposal bin and a list of EBMUD and BayWise disposal sites. Recyclemore.com has additional drop-off locations. Bin always locked; seek staff for assistance (office and/or yard). ,No fees for residents. Remove excess packaging; empty pills into Ziploc-type bag for disposal; mix pills together. Liquids, creams, inhalers do not need to be bagged. Check online for more information on how to use the disposal bin and a list of EBMUD and BayWise disposal sites. Recyclemore.com has additional drop-off locations. Bin always locked; seek staff for assistance (office and/or yard). |
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| Metal Cans | Scrap Metal bin. Items should be rinsed clean and dry. |
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| Metal Pipe | Scrap Metal bin. |
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| Motor Oil | Pour used oil into containers under Motor Oil sign. 5-gallons maximum per day. |
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| Moving Boxes & Packing Materials | Cardboard bin. |
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| Musical Instruments & Gear - Working | Exchange Zone. Small Musical Instruments such as: Guitars, Ukuleles, Bongos, Banjos, Maracas, Brass, Woodwinds. NO Pianos, Organs, Drum Sets, Very Large Items. |
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| Needles & Syringes | Must be in a thick plastic container with a screw top lid.; Bin always locked seek staff for assistance (office and/or yard). Only for RecycleMore residents. |
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| Newspaper | Newspaper bin. |
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| Non-ferrous Scrap Metal | Scrap Metal bin |
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| Oil Filters | Metal only, no paper filters |
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| Paper | Mixed Paper bin. |
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| Paper - Shredded | Mixed paper bin (in paper bag, stapled) |
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| Paper Bags | Mixed Paper bin |
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| Paperboard Boxes/Tubes | Mixed Paper bin. |
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| Phonebooks | Mixed Paper Bin |
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| Plant Pots - Ceramic | If clean and unbroken, Onsite Donation Trailer. |
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| Plant Pots - Plastic | Planters bin. Must be clean and dry. |
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| Plastic Bottles & Jugs - Non-CRV | Plastic Beverage Containers bin - narrow neck. Items should be clean and dry. |
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| Pots & Pans - Working | Good condition - Onsite Donation Trailer. Broken - Scrap Metal bin. |
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| Printers/Faxes - Non-working | Electronics bin. |
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| Printers/Faxes - Working | Electronics bin. Label working with masking/blue tape. |
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| Records | Exchange Zone. |
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| School/Office Supplies - Working | Exchange Zone or Onsite Donation Trailer. |
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| Scrap Metal | Scrap metal bin |
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| Sewing Machine - Working | Onsite Donation Trailer. |
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| Shoes - Good Condition | Onsite Donation Trailer, or USAgain Bins (torn or stained ok.) Clothing and Linens also ok. All items must be clean and dry. |
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| Small Household Appliances - Non-working | If predominantly metal, place in or next to Scrap Metal bins. NO refrigerated appliances. NO predominantly plastic appliances. |
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| Small Household Appliances - Working | Onsite Donation Trailer accepts items such as: Irons, Toasters, Microwaves, Blenders, Vacuum Cleaners. NO Large Appliances or broken items. However, many of these items can be recycled elsewhere within the El Cerrito Recycling Center in or next to the Steel bin. NO REFRIGERATED APPLIANCES. Label working with masking/blue tape. |
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| Sporting Goods - Working | Bicycles + Bicycle Parts - Bicycle bin (salvaging ok from this bin.) Large Sporting Goods - Onsite Donation Trailer. Small sporting goods in the Exchange Zone. Examples include: Balls, Racquets, Golf Clubs, etc. NO Weights, Exercise Equipment or broken items. However, many of these items can be recycled elsewhere within the El Cerrito Recycling Center in the Steel bin. |
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| Styrofoam Blocks | From El Cerrito residents only, on Thursdays. |
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| Telephones | Electronics bin. |
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| Television - Non-working | Electronics bin area. No DLP TVs. |
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| Television - Working | Onsite Donation Trailer accepts newer flat-screen TVs in good condition. Older or bulky Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) models or broken items are accepted in the Electronics bin area. NO DLP TVs. |
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| Textiles - Good Condition/Size | Neatly folded & clear plastic-bagged craft fabrics and notions in the Exchange Room. USAgain Bins (clean, worn, stained, and/or ripped/torn ok for recycling). All items must be clean, dry, and bagged. |
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| Toner Cartridges | Electronics bin. |
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| Tools & Accessories - Garden - Working | Onsite Donation Trailer. |
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| Tools & Accessories - Hand - Working | If working - Onsite Donation Trailer. If broken and primarily metal, Scrap Metal bin. |
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| Tools & Accessories - Power - Working | If working - Onsite Donation Trailer. If broken and primarily metal, Scrap Metal bin. |
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| Toys & Games - With Electronics | If in working, whole and clean condition - Exchange Zone, or Onsite Donation Trailer. |
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| Toys & Games - Working | If in working, whole and clean condition - Exchange Zone, or Onsite Donation Trailer. |
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| Typewriters - Non-working | Onsite Donation Trailer. |
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| Typewriters - Working | Onsite Donation Trailer. |
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| VCRs/CD/DVD Players - Non-working | Electronics bin. |
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| VCRs/CD/DVD Players - Working | Onsite Donation Trailer. Label working with masking/blue tape. |
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| Window Treatments - Non-working | Metal blinds in scrap metal bin. |
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| Window Treatments - Working | In good condition - Onsite Donation Trailer. Broken - Scrap Metal bin if metal, USAgain bin if fabric/cloth. |
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