Share Books
Set up a little free library in your building’s laundry, office break room or other public space.
Share Other Stuff
Start a toy library. Keep a stash of umbrellas in the lobby. Let neighbors know that you’re willing to lend your espresso maker, photocopier or other stuff.
Share Skills
Get stuff fixed at neighborhood repair events hosted by Fixers’ Collective or Popup Repair.
Swap Locally
Pick up some books, housewares and other articles at GrowNYC’s free community Stop ‘n’ Swap events. Learn about the ReCenter Swap Shop in Northampton, Mass.
Re-Gift
Openly gift items from the re-gift bag. Better yet, throw a re-gift party like this one. Celebrate National Re-gifting Day with office-mates.
Pool Leftovers
What’s left over from last night’s supper can delight a neighbor tonight. Learn more.
Create a Sharing Closet
Stock it with a vacuum cleaner, ironing board and more. Start by simply letting neighbors know what you are willing to share. (Knock, Knock)
Borrow Things for Free
Borrow tools from the South Street Seaport free tool lending library. Borrow a tie for that next interview from the Queens Library or a work accessory from the Riverside Library (Philly’s got a tool libe and a tie libe, too.). Citizens Committee is happy to share video projectors, tents, bullhorns and more to folks running block parties, fundraisers.
Lend Stuff to Neighbors
Join Nextdoor.com, and link to neighbors by zip code, even block by block or by building — and let the borrowing and lending begin.
Donate Stuff to Worthy Causes
Link to DonateNYC and learn how to donate to Goodwill, Salvation Army, United War Veterans Council, and more. Donate, as well as buy and sell gently used stuff at the Donate NYC Exchange.
Donate Art Supplies, Coats & Food
Donate to New York Cares, Materials for the Arts, and MoveforHunger.
Donate Stuff Right in Your Building
Drop-off clothing and textiles in a RefashionNYC box. Help out HousingWorks, too.
Start a Free Stuff Box
Repurpose a carton in your building’s laundry, lobby or other public space and let residents ‘take’ and ‘leave’.
Give Food Away
Little free pantries and community refrigerators are popping up in Europe — why not NYC?
Join a Gift Economy
Free Your Stuff NYC: Queens & Brooklyn has over 300 members and growing.
Spreading the word about the power to share is how we at WeHateToWaste fulfill our mission: change consumption culture through the prism of Zero Waste. This guide focuses on our hometown of New York City — but everyone, everywhere can get inspired by these ideas. And please share with us what you’re doing in your city.
Big hearty thanks to the folks who helped create this page: Alexandra Cazeils, Kimberly Cionca Sebesanu, Caitlin Harrington-Smith, Karen Jackson, Lili Guia, Shawn Dorman