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Cut the Clutter: Donation & Recycling Locations Around the Sound
Spring is coming, and with it comes a chance to clear out the old and start fresh—whether it’s those ever-growing piles in your garage and attic, that closet you can barely close, or a horror-movie-inspired basement. Here are resources to reclaim your space and put your unwanted items to good use (or recycle and give them their own fresh start)…
Donations | Recycling | Disposal
Donations
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL BARGAIN BOUTIQUE
Furniture/furnishings, jewelry, antiques, collectibles, and new or gently used men’s, women’s or children’s clothing. Be sure to check items they don’t accept.
seattlechildrens.org/giving/bargain-boutiques
Estates: (206) 327-3067
Vehicles: (888) 205-8941
Bainbridge Island: 1050 Hildebrand Lane, Suite G-1 | Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 | (206) 842-5567
Olympia: 2020 Harrison Ave. NW | Olympia, WA 98502-5097 | (360) 236-8245
GOODWILL
Accepts donations of a wide range of items, from exercise equipment, to clothes and home decor items and furniture. Net proceeds help fund job training and education programs.
evergreengoodwill.org/donate-goods
KIDVANTAGE
Donate your quality used children’s clothing, shoes, baby gear, toys, books, bedding, and maternity clothing. You’ll help to fill the nearly 4,000 orders of essentials that they provide to underprivileged children and expectant moms each week.
Issaquah: 1510 NW Maple St. | Issaquah, WA 98027 | (425) 865-0234
Shoreline: 17230 12th Ave NE | Shoreline, WA 98155 | (425) 209-1136
Bremerton: 1463 NE Dawn Road, Suite B | Bremerton, WA 98311 | (360) 616-0235
MARY’S PLACE
Gratefully accepts gently used clothing, luggage, twin size sheets/blankets, paperback books, and small household items (dishware, utensils, mugs, and small appliances such as microwaves) to distribute to families in need.
marysplaceseattle.org/get-involved/share-your-stuff
Donation Center: 4521 6th Ave S. | Seattle, WA 98108
Shelter (small donations only): 720 Blanchard St, Seattle
NORTHWEST CENTER
Big Blue Trucks accept clothing, household goods, sporting goods, tools, toys & more to support people with disabilities. Here’s what they do and don’t take.
bigbluetruck.org/drop-off-locations
NORTHWEST FURNITURE BANK
Furniture bank for homeless families in transition in South King County and Pierce County. Here’s what they accept and you can arrange a pickup if you live within a 25 mile radius of Tacoma.
117 Puyallup Ave | Tacoma, WA 98421 | 253-302-3868
SAINT FRANCIS HOUSE
Accepts clean, gently used clothing for men, women & children as well as kitchen & household items. All donations are passed on directly to those in need.
stfrancishouseseattle.org/support-us
169 12th Ave | Seattle, WA 98122 | 206-268-0784
SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL
Drop off your sorted donations of gently used clothing, housewares, toys, shoes/accessories, linens, books, and electronics to one of their thrift stores (here’s what they don’t accept). $0.89 of every dollar funds programs that provide neighbors with food, clothing, eviction prevention, case management, and more.
SEATTLE’S UNION GOSPEL MISSION
Accepts food, clothing, furniture, vehicles & housewares in their mission to support our homeless neighbors.
Distribution Center: 8226 South 208th Street, Suite G110 | Kent, WA 98032 | (206) 723-5700
Furniture Pick-Up: (507) 593-7024
Recycling/Disposal
E-CYCLE WASHINGTON
WA Department of Ecology’s free program for residents to recycle electronics (including TVs, computers, monitors, tablets, & more), with participating locations across the state.
FRIENDLY EARTH
Free recycling of electronics, flat screen TVs/monitors, appliances, BBQs, computers, lawn equipment/tractors, motorcycles, & more! Recycling with a fee for copiers/printers, refrigerators, A/C units, solar panels, & large rear-projection TVs. Paid data destruction available as well. Get the full scoop here.
1560 1st Ave S. | Seattle, WA 98134
(206) 367-4111
ONE GREEN PLANET
Free recycling of electronics, computers, copiers, printers, ink/toner, appliances, bikes/scooters, scrap metal, machinery, phones/chargers, & more. Recycling with a fee for appliances containing Freon, flat screen TVs, tapes/CDs/floppy disks, alkaline batteries, & X-ray film. Here’s the full list.
851 Houser Way North, Suite B | Renton, WA 98057
(425) 996-3513
RECOLOGY
With a zero waste goal, Recology stores accept hard to recycle items like CFL light bulbs, household batteries, hard-cover books, small electronics/appliances, block Styrofoam, and bicycles. Here’s the fee list for non-customers (if you’re already signed up for their curbside service, you can drop off limited quantities for free).
Issaquah: 317 NW Gilman Blvd, #22 | Issaquah, WA 98027
Highline: 15858 First Avenue S, #A100 | Burien, WA 98148
Shoreline: 15235 Aurora Ave. N | Shoreline, WA 98133
RUBBISH WORKS
Removal of nonhazardous materials for eco-friendly disposal—up to 50% of hauled away materials are recycled and the rest is donated when possible.
(888) 594-5078
We earn the trust and loyalty of our brokers and clients by doing real estate exceptionally well. The leader in our market, we deliver client-focused service in an authentic, collaborative, and transparent manner and with the unmatched knowledge and expertise that comes from decades of experience.
© Copyright 2025, Windermere Real Estate/Mercer Island.
2024 Holiday Happenings Around the Sound
OK, who is ready to beat the gloom? Below are some Seattle-area holiday favorites to help brighten your spirits. You can bundle up and bask in breathtaking outdoor light shows, or just relax and enjoy from the comfort of a cruise ship or theater seat…
Winterfest at Seattle Center
305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109
www.seattlecenter.com/winterfest
- Dates/Times: Nov. 29, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2024. Holiday lighting up Nov. 21 – Dec. 31; ice sculpting Nov. 29, 12-3 pm; Winterfest train & village open daily Nov. 29 – Dec. 31 | 10 am – 6 pm; Seattle Christmas Market open Nov. 21 – Dec. 23.
- Cost: General admission is free for all ages; Seattle Christmas Market is $16-$20 for adults (buy tickets)
- Parking: Paid parking available at the Mercer Garage, 5th Ave N Garage, and Theatre Commons ADA Lot. Click here for the campus map.
- Food: A multitude of dining options await you in the Armory.
- Special Events: Opening Day Celebration, live stage entertainment at the Armory, the Winter Train & Village, New Year’s Eve Celebration Dec. 31 from 8pm-12 Midnight, and more!
- Holiday Closure: Christmas day
Photo by Nitish Meena on Unsplash
Enchant at T-Mobile Park
1250 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
https://enchantchristmas.com
click here to get tickets
- Dates/Times: 11/22/24 – 12/29/24 | See full schedule here
- Cost: $27 – $46 per adult (youth, senior & military discounts; ages 3 and under are free) | Packages, upgrades & suites available
- Promotions: 10% discount for groups of 10+
- Parking: Reserve parking in the Mariners Garage or check out the city’s Interactive Parking Map
- Food: Seasonal food and treat concessions throughout
- Activities: Ice skating trail, light maze, children’s play place, nightly caroling, visits with Santa, live entertainment, shopping village
- Closures: Most Mondays, 11/26, 11/28, & 12/6
The Nutcracker by Pacific Northwest Ballet
McCaw Hall | 321 Mercer St, Seattle
pnb.org/nutcracker/
click here to get tickets
- Dates: November 29 – December 28, 2024
- Cost: $29-$228 per seat
- Parking: Mercer Street Garage or Other Nearby Parking
- Food: Beverages and snacks are available for purchase
Garden d’Lights at Bellevue Botanical Garden
12001 Main Street, Bellevue WA 98005
http://gardendlights.org
click here to get tickets (must be purchased online)
- Dates/Times: Open nightly Nov. 30, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2024 | 4:30 – 9:00 pm
- Cost: $8 per person (ages 10 and under are free)
- Promotions: Discounted $5 ticket nights Dec. 2-5 and 9-12.
- Parking: Premium parking is $5 per car in the Garden’s lot as space allows OR park for free at Wilburton Hill Park
- Food: Hot drinks and snacks are available for purchase (outside food/beverages not allowed)
- Holiday Closures: Christmas day
Snowflake Lane at the Bellevue Collection
Bellevue Way & NE 8th Street, Bellevue WA 98004
http://snowflakelane.com/
- Dates/Times: Nightly Nov. 29, 2024 – Dec. 24, 2024 | 20 minute show starts at 7 pm
- Cost: Free for all ages
- Parking: Free parking at Bellevue Square, Bellevue Place and Lincoln Square
- Food: A variety of dining options (from happy hour, to kid fare, to gourmet) are all within walking distance
- Special Events & Activities: Ice Skating, Santa Photos
Photo by Adobe Stock
Christmas Ship Festival
Launch locations include Seattle Waterfront – Pier 55, Shilshole Bay Marina, Hyatt Regency Lake Washington, Lake Union Park (MOHAI), AGC Marina, Carillon Point Marina, and Kirkland City Dock.
www.argosycruises.com
click here to get tickets
- Dates/Times: Click here for the full schedule
- Cost: $49 – $76 per adult (discounts for youth & seniors, kids 3 and under are free)
- Parking: Varies by location – click here for details
- Food: Snacks and drinks available for purchase on the ship. Outside food/drinks are not allowed.
- Special Events: Opening Night, Parade of Boats, Grand Finale
Westlake Center Tree Lighting & Holiday Activities
401 Pine St., Seattle, WA 98101 (Westlake Park)
https://downtownseattle.org/events/holidays/
https://downtownseattle.org/events/holidays
- Tree Lighting Celebration: Nov. 29, 2024 from 12:00-5:30 pm in Westlake Park (tree lighting is at 5pm).
- Wintry Weekend with Ice Skating Rink: Dec. 13-15, 2024 from 12:00-6:00 pm in Occidental Square with a holiday trading post on Friday and Saturday, and visit from the Kraken’s Buoy the Troll on Sunday at noon.
- Cost: Free for all ages
- Parking: Access the Republic Parking garage from Olive Way between 4th & 5th Ave, or check out this interactive map of city parking
Photo by Lokesh Singh Masania on Unsplash
Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407
www.pdza.org/event/zoolights
click here to get tickets
- Dates/Times: Open nightly Nov. 29, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025 | 4:30 – 10 pm
- Cost: $14-$20 (free for kids 2 & under)
- Promotions: Discounted tickets for zoo members
- Parking: Free parking in zoo lots (carpooling recommended)
- Food: Dinner, drinks & snacks are available at the Plaza Cafe & outside stands. Try the new fried apple cinnamon fries or a hot cocoa float.
- Activities: Carousel, Groovy Goats in Holiday Coats
- Holiday Closures: Christmas Eve & Christmas day
WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo
West Entrance: 5500 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98103
South Entrance: 750 N 50th St, Seattle, WA 98103
www.zoo.org/wildlanterns
Click here to get tickets | Map
- Dates/Times: Open nightly Nov. 15, 2024 – Jan. 19, 2025 | 4:00 – 9:00 pm.
- Cost: $29.95 – $33.95 per person (ages 2 & under are free).
- Promotions: Zoo members get 20% off tickets; 40% off general zoo admission when you buy a WildLanterns ticket; Holiday Senior Stroll on Nov. 19 & Dec, 3 from 4-7 pm with 40% off for ages 65+
- Parking: $7 parking is available in all lots after 3:30 pm (here is a map). If you bought your tickets online, the South Gate (Hippo Lot) is reserved just for those who already have tickets. If you’re planning to purchase tickets in person, park by the West Entrance (Penguin, Otter, or Bear Lot).
- Food: Dining options available in the zoo, including The Frosted Glass 21+ space. You are also welcome to bring your own food & non-alcoholic beverages.
- Special Activities: Night Owls 21+ events; Private Snow Globes; Live performances in the PACCAR Auditorium; Zoomazium; ZooStore; Carousel; Sensory-Friendly Nights on 11/20, 12/11 & 1/9.
- Closures: Closed Mondays (except for Dec. 16, 23 & 30); Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas day and New Year’s eve.
Photo by Adobe Stock
But wait, there’s more…
Holiday theatrical & musical shows
“A Christmas Carol” at ACT Theatre
“Wonderland: A Carnival of Winter Wonder” at the Can Can
The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
The Polar Express train ride at Mt. Rainier Railroad
Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Grand Seattle
Santa Limited Train in North Bend
Festival of Trees & Teddy Bear Suite at the Fairmont Olympic
Gingerbread Village at Sheraton Grand Seattle
We earn the trust and loyalty of our brokers and clients by doing real estate exceptionally well. The leader in our market, we deliver client-focused service in an authentic, collaborative, and transparent manner and with the unmatched knowledge and expertise that comes from decades of experience.
© Copyright 2024, Windermere Real Estate/Mercer Island.
