Sustainability and Resiliency

Donation

Reduce waste and help those in need.

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Donation

Reduce waste and help those in need.

Donations play a big role in Brown achieving its goal of diverting 50% of materials from the landfill. All Brown community members can donate non Brown-owned clothing, small appliances, books, school supplies and small furniture with the Clean Break program.

Here are some organizations that accept donations or offer pickups of personal items in Providence:

Local organizations accepting donations

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island

Location: 1540 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston RI 02920

Phone: 401-921-2434

Accepted items: Toys, clean clothing, small appliances, bedding, electronics, kitchenware, school supplies, decorations, sporting goods, other misc. items
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Goodwill of Southern New England

Location: 100 Houghton Street, Providence, RI 02904

Phone: 401-861-2080

Accepted items: Clean clothing, bicycles and toys, housewares, small appliances, computers, jewelry, books/records/tapes/CDs, DVDs, shoes, small furniture
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Rhode Island Community Food Bank

Location: 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence, RI 02907

Phone: 401-942-6325

Accepted items: All nonperishable, unopened food. Most needed items include peanut butter, tuna, canned and dried beans, canned soup and stews, canned fruits and vegetables, breakfast cereals, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, boxed macaroni and cheese, granola bars, tomato sauce, extra virgin olive oil
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Clothes to Kids Rhode Island

Location: 77 Reservoir Ave #5, Providence, RI 02907

Phone: 401-941-8050

Accepted items: Pants and shirts for girls, boys, teens, pre-teens, young women and men; new underwear and socks; shoes that are in good condition and suitable for school (starting at kids size 8); coats and jackets in good condition and suitable for school; belts, purses, hats, jewelry, backpacks, winter accessories, bras, toys and books
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Furniture Bank of Rhode Island

Location: 125 Ernest Street, Providence, RI 02905

Phone: 401-831-5511

Accepted items: Chairs, tables, sofa and loveseats, bookshelves, dressers, metal and wooden bed frames, headboards and footboards, kitchen utensils, pots and pans
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The Million Book Project

Phone: Call 774-930-1359 to schedule a pick-up for 12 books or more.

Accepted items: All books in good condition (no mold, loose spines, missing pages, etc.), CDs, VHS tapes, DVDs, records and cassette tapes.
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Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island

Location: 645 Elmwood Ave., Providence, RI 02907

Phone: 401-784-8663

Email: ccdonation@diiri.org

Accepted items: New or gently-used professional clothing, clean clothing and basic household items and necessities
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Brown-owned Items

Donation forms are required in order to donate surplus Brown-owned items. Brown Strategic Purchasing partners with the Office of Government and Community Relations to identify local nonprofit organizations to receive donated items.

Read Brown's policy

Clean Break Program

Clean Break is a month-long program planned and coordinated by the Office of Sustainability at the end of each academic year during student move-out. The program diverts donatable material away from the landfill and into the Providence community. This project is vital in Brown’s goals to divert waste from the landfill.

Learn More About Clean Break