• Clothing
• Small appliances (rice cooker, coffee maker, fans, etc.)
• Toys
• shoes
• Accessories (hats, gloves, scarves, jewelry, etc.)
• Backpacks
• Clean bedding (sheets, blankets, and pillow cases but NOT pillows or mattress toppers)
• Towels
• Unopened toiletries
• Small furniture (small shelves, baskets, etc. items you can easily carry with 1 person)
• Books (Clean Break accepts a limited amount)

Please do not bring hangers, pillows or mattress toppers. These items will be discarded as trash.

All items listed above will be accepted by Brown’s community donation partners at the times and locations below:

Brown Parking Lot 16 (Brown Street by Wayland Arch)

• May 15 and May 16 from 9am to 6pm
• May 17 from 8am to 1pm
• May 21 and 22 from 9am to 6pm

Brown Parking Lot 55 (Young Orchard Ave)

• May 15 and May 16 from 9am to 6pm
• May 17 from 8am to 1pm
• May 21 and 22 from 9am to 6pm

Additionally, textiles can be donated anytime via the Trashie program (see details below).

Spring 2025 Brown is piloting a program that provides students with a new way to donate textiles on a more flexible schedule. To use this program students can:

• Register here by May 9th to request a bag.
• Pickup the bag in your student mailbox on campus.
• Fill the bag with up to 15lbs of textiles (clothes, shoes, hats, bags, towels, bedding etc.).
• Scan the QR code on the bag to activate the bag’s digital shipping label (at no cost to you).
• Seal the bag and drop it off at Mail Services at Paige Robinson Hall or any UPS location (closest campus UPS drop off is 291 Thayer Street). 

There is a 1 bag per student limit, and bags are available only while supplies last. We welcome your feedback on this pilot program. Please contact melissa_berry@brown.edu with any thoughts, questions, or ideas.

If you cannot bring your donations to a Clean Break donation day, and the Trashie program does not meet your needs, there are still a few options. Drop off donations or schedule a free pickup through the local branch of the organizations below:

• Big Brother Big Sister
• GoodWill
• Providence Thrift Store

Clean Break cannot accept large furniture items. If you have larger furniture items (couch, dresser, bed frame etc.) there are a number of community groups with whom you can schedule a free donation pickup:

• Providence Thrift Store
• Habitat for Humanity
• Comprehensive Community Action Program

Small electronics can be recycled in 10 special waste bins located on campus:

• Cellphones
• Television remotes
• Calculators
• Digital cameras
• Charging cables
• Computer mice
• Printer cartridges
• Small batteries

Please do not bring in items from home to recycle in these bins. If you have questions about how to sort something, contact Facilities Service Response at 401-863-7800.

More electronics Recycling options

Clean Break Donation Days accept a limited number of books. We always reach capacity and encourage community members to explore these alternatives:

Brown Bookstore: You can sell and/or donate books you do not want to the Brown bookstore. Buyback is not just for textbooks. Any book purchased anywhere, not just Brown University, with a valid Guide Price from our wholesalers is eligible for buyback.

Libraries & Schools: Check with local libraries and schools to see if they are currently accepting book donations.

Providence Books Through Bars: Check their website for what books/materials they are currently accepting.

Recycling Books: Paper back can be recycled, hardcover pages can be recycled but the cover is trash. For more info visit: RI Resource Recovery