Reduce, Reuse, Repair

Choosing to reduce, reuse, and repair is among the most effective ways to minimize your environmental footprint. These practices help decrease water and air pollution caused by waste and production, conserve valuable resources, and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.

How to Reduce, Reuse, and Repair

Reduce

Minimize waste and conserve resources by avoiding unnecessary purchases and preventing waste at its source.

Buy only what you need
Purchase products in bulk to reduce packaging
Purchase locally produced items
Rent or borrow instead of buying new

Reuse

Extend the life of items by using them multiple times, repurposing them for new purposes, or donating them to keep functional items out of landfills.

Use reusable items (shopping bags, water bottles, travel mugs, foodware)
Select durable, long-lasting products over disposable ones
Donate gently used clothing or household items
Repurpose containers or materials for other uses
Donate and purchase salvaged building materials

Repair

Fix broken or damaged items to restore their functionality and extend their lifespan, reducing the need for replacements.

Mend clothing
Repair electronics
Fix damaged furniture

Programs and Resources

Explore our initiatives and tools designed to promote waste reduction and reuse.

Fixit Clinic (Repair)

Fixit Clinics are community-based workshops where volunteer Fixit Coaches help you learn how troubleshoot, maintain, and repair your broken items. Register for an upcoming event and discover the skills to fix your belongings yourself!

Food Waste Prevention

Food waste depletes natural resources, uses valuable land, and significantly contributes to climate change by releasing methane. Discover solutions for preventing food waste.

Surplus Property Program

The Surplus Property Program beneficially reuses surplus equipment from San Mateo County departments. Learn how San Mateo County departments, cities, schools, and non-profit organizations can request retired property at no charge.

Foodware Aware Program

The Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance, adopted February 25, 2020, aims to regulate and reduce the amount of disposable food service ware that is used by food facilities in unincorporated areas of San Mateo County.

two San Mateo County residents deconstructing the side of a home

Building Materials Reuse

Reusing building materials is a cost-effective and environmentally responsible alternative to recycling them or buying new materials.

refuel your propane cylinders through the Refuel Your Fun Program

Propane Refuel

The ReFuel Your Fun (RFYF) Program aims to minimize the use and improper disposal of single-use 1 lb. propane cylinders by providing discounted propane refills for reusable cylinders.

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Resources for Unwanted Items:

Recyclestuff.org: a convenient search engine that helps you find nearby donation and recycling options.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Guide (PDF): a comprehensive guide for reusing, donating, and recycling your items.
Construction, Deconstruction, and Demolition Guide (PDF): a comprehensive guide for reusing, donating, and recycling building materials.
Online Platforms: websites like Craigslist, NextDoor, Buy Nothing, Facebook Marketplace, Freecycle, and PennySaver allow you to post items for sale, donation, or giveaway
Sustainability Department Recycle Page: provides additional resources for recycling or disposing items in non-usable condition

Learn more about what the County is doing to ensure the longevity of the County’s landfill capacity by reviewing the Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan (CIWMP).

Donation and Reuse Companies

The following are donation and reuse resources for frequently inquired items. All donated items must be in good condition with no rips or stains. Please note that as accepted materials can change, it is recommended to contact the company for the most up-to-date information before dropping off items. For more donation and reuse resources, visit Recyclestuff.org or check out our Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Guide (PDF).

Organization	Accepted Items	Offers Pickup
American Cancer Society Discovery Shop 748 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park 650-325-8939	Books (current novels, cookbooks, no medical or older books), clothing, electronics, household items (antiques, kitchenware, lamps, artwork, and musical instruments except pianos), toys
Ecumenical Hunger Program 2411 Pulgas Avenue, East Palo Alto 650-323-7781	Appliances (small and large; less than 8 years old), Baby Supplies (no expired car seats), Cars, Boats, and rvs (working only), clothing, electronics, Food (catered and nonperishable), furniture (no particle board, smoking, animal hair, tears, scratches, or stains), household items, toys, microwaves	Yes (Sunnyvale to Burlingame)
Family Connections Redwood City, Menlo Park, and East Palo Alto locations 669-237-8911	Appliances (no large), Books and Toys (preschool childrens books and toys)	Yes
Goodwill Industries San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin Counties 415-575-2137	Appliances (no large), baby supplies, books (no encyclopedias or magazines), cars, boats, RVs, clothing, electronics, furniture (no large), household items, toys, textbooks, bicycles, snowboards, wetsuits, skis, exercise equipment, skateboards
Latino Commission/Entre Familia South San Francisco 650-244-1444	Appliances (gas and electric dryers and refrigerators), furniture (couches, dressers, small pieces; no large pieces.), mattresses (twin size)	Yes
Nine Lives Foundation 3137 Jefferson Road, Redwood City 650-368-1365	Cars, boats, RVs, sheets, blankets, towels	Yes (cars, boats, motorcycles only)
PARCA See Savers for drop off location, Burlingame 877-997-2722	Appliances (tabletop microwaves, no toasters, no large), books (no reference, encyclopedias, textbooks, or magazines), cars, boats, RVs, clothing, electronics (flat-screen tvs 60” and smaller), household items, toys, bicycles, sporting goods, and garden tools	Yes
Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA 12 Airport Boulevard, San Mateo 650-340-7022 x 389	Cars, boats, RVs, food (pet food, apples, berries, corn, hot dogs, creamy unopened peanut butter), household items (heating pads [nonautomatic shut off], blankets, and towels are accepted for pet care, pet supplies and items for animal care
Pick of the Litter 1127 Chula Vista Avenue, Burlingame 650-344-1662	Books, cars, boats, RVs, clothing, electronics (call for approval), household items, toys (puzzles and board games only), holiday decorations	Yes (for large donations)
Puente de la Costa Sur Pescadero 650-879-1691	Appliances (no large; small TVs and microwaves only), baby supplies (new diapers and wipes; no car seats), clothing (new with tags), bicycles, blankets
St. Francis Center 151 Buckingham Avenue, Redwood City 650-365-7829	Appliances (no large), baby supplies (diapers, clothing), clothing (casual and barely used baby and children’s), electronics (computers 4 years old or less), food (nonperishable food within the expiration date and fresh produce), furniture (call first), household items, blankets, sheets, and towels
St. Vincent de Paul Society Daly City, South San Francisco, San Mateo and Redwood City locations 650-373-0622	Cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs and boats, clothing, furniture (no tears, stains, particle board, desks over 4 feet long or items needing repairs), household items, sleeping bags, holiday items, bicycles, and medical supplies (wheelchairs, walkers and canes)
Samaritan House 4031 Pacific Boulevard, San Mateo 650-341-4081	Baby supplies (no car seats), books, clothing (infants-teens gently used), electronics (current cell phones, laptops, computers [5 years old or less], tablets, video game consoles, flat-screen TVs), food (nonperishable), toys (new from October-December only), toiletries, bicycles
Savers 875 Main Street, Redwood City 650-364-5545	Appliances (no large), baby supplies (clothes only), books, clothing, electronics, furniture, mattresses, toys, sporting goods, bicycles, medical supplies (walkers, crutches, canes, wheelchairs)
South Coast Children’s Services Thrift Shop 2041 Pescadero Creek Road, Pescadero 650-879-9613	Appliances (no large), books (no health, textbooks, or outdated computer manuals), clothing, household items, jewelry, CDs, records, utensils, tools, rugs, bicycles, collectibles
The Salvation Army Redwood City, South San Francisco and San Bruno locations 800-728-7825	Appliances (no built-in), books, cars, boats, RVs, clothing (must have 10 or more bags for pickup), electronics, furniture, household items, mattresses, toys, bicycles, medical supplies (walkers, canes, wheelchairs, electric scooters, power wheelchairs)	Yes
Turnstyle Thrift Store 60 North B Street, San Mateo 650-342-2367	Appliances (no large), baby supplies (no car seats or furniture), books (no encyclopedias), clothing, electronics (no TVs, computers, or printers), furniture (no large), household items
United Cerebral Palsy Association 1060 El Camino Real, San Carlos 650-593-1811	Appliances (no large), baby supplies (car seats 5 years old or less, no drop-down side cribs, strollers, or high chairs), books (no encyclopedias or textbooks), cars, boats, RVs, electronics (computers, no TVs over 32”), furniture, household items, toys, bicycles, art supplies, sporting equipment, office supplies	Yes