Items We Cannot Accept

Thank you for donating to Goodwill San Francisco Bay. The sale of donations in our Goodwill Stores is the primary source of funding for Goodwill’s training programs for people with barriers to employment.

Why can’t Goodwill accept all my items?

We greatly appreciate your desire to donate to Goodwill and know that you may have gone to a lot of trouble to deliver your donation or schedule a home pick-up. Here’s why we can’t accept some of your items:

  • Goodwill’s goal is to provide jobs, training, and placement services to people facing barriers to employment. We finance these goals through the sale of your gently used clothes and household items. When we receive donations that we are unable to sell, we are forced to pay disposal fees.
  • Every truckload of unsellable goods is equal to three days of classroom instruction for someone whose goal is to get and keep a job. By reducing unsellable goods, we increase the revenue we can invest in helping people get back into the workforce.
  • It is at the discretion of the Donation Ambassador to determine whether or not we will be able to sell your donated items. We hope you understand why your donation may be declined.

Goodwill must say “No Thank You” to:

  • Any large furniture
  • Couches, sofas, futons
  • Cribs, strollers, car seats, safety gates, etc. (Reason? Government safety recalls.)
  • VHS tapes
  • Magazines
  • Anything damaged, stained, soiled, or rusting
  • Weapons of any kind
  • Any liquids, fuels, and chemicals
  • Medicines and medical equipment
  • Tires, batteries, or light bulbs
  • Building materials, garbage, or trash
  • Large appliances (washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, etc.)
  • Headboards, water beds, bed pillows, frames and mattresses
  • Large office furniture and DIY particle-board furniture
  • Pianos and organs
  • Anything unhygienic
  • Printer inks, toners
  • Anything dangerous

These items may only be donated directly to one of our stores:

  • Fish tanks
  • Snow skis and boots
  • Roller blades and roller skates
  • Rugs over 5 feet long
  • Exercise and sports equipment
  • Lava lamps

Where can I take my stuff instead?

See the lists below for sites that can assist you in finding a place to dispose of or donate the materials we can’t accept:

Alameda County

Canned and Non-Perishable Food:

Alameda County Community Food Bank 
(510) 635-3663 
7900 Edgewater Drive 
Oakland, CA 94621 

Mattresses, box springs, mattress toppers, and pillows:  

Livermore Sanitation 
Up to three pick-ups per year for Alameda County residents
925-449-7300 

Building material, large appliances, and light fixtures:  

Habitat for Humanity ReStore
(510) 777-1447 
9235 San Leandro St. 
Oakland, CA 94603 

Large Furniture:  

Habitat for Humanity 
(510) 777-1447 
9235 San Leandro St. 
Oakland, CA 94603 

Out of The Closet 
(510) 251-8671 
238 E 18th St.  
Oakland, CA 94606 

Large exercise equipment:  

Habitat for Humanity 
(510) 777-1447 
9235 San Leandro St. 
Oakland, CA 94603 

Medical equipment and supplies:  

ReCares (only open on Fridays) 
(510) 251-2273  
2619 Broadway 
Oakland, CA  

Unopened lotions, shampoo, and personal care items:  

Insight Housing 
(510) 459-3334 
2855 Telegraph Ave. 
Berkeley, CA 94704 

Covenant House Oakland 
(510) 379-1010 
200 Harrison St. 
Oakland, CA 94607 

For additional information and resources, visit https://resource.stopwaste.org/

Contra Costa County

Canned and non-perishable food:  

Food Bank Contra Costa & Solano 
(925) 676-7543  
4010 Nelson Ave.  
Concord, CA 94520 

North Creek Church 
(925) 210-9036 
2303 Ignacio Valley Rd. 
Walnut Creek, CA 

Mattresses, box springs, mattress toppers, and pillows:  

Republic Services Bulky Item Pickup 
Up to two pick-ups per year for Contra Costa County residents
(925) 685-4711 

Building material, large appliances, and light fixtures:  

Habitat for Humanity ReStore
(510) 777-1447 
9235 San Leandro St. 
Oakland, CA 

Large Furniture:

Make It Home 
(415) 377-3576 
1271 Boulevard Way 
Walnut Creek, CA 

Rescued Treasures 
(925) 937-3201 
1270-I Newell Ave. 
Walnut Creek, CA 

Hospice Thrift Shop 
(925) 947-1064 
1345-A Newell Ave. 
Walnut Creek, CA 

Medical equipment and supplies:  

Independent Living Resources 
(9250 363-7293 
1850 Gateway Blvd 
Concord, 94520  

Unopened lotions, shampoo, and personal care items:

Trinity Center 
(925) 949-8712 
1888 Trinity Ave. 
Walnut Creek, CA 94596 

For additional information and resources, visit https://resource.stopwaste.org/

Marin County

Canned and Non-Perishable Food:  

SF Marin Food Bank 
(415) 883-1302 
2550 Kerner Boulevard 
San Rafael, CA 94901 

Mattresses, box springs, mattress toppers, and pillows:  

Marin Resource Recovery Center 
(415) 485-5647  
565 Jacoby St. 
San Rafael, CA 94901 

Building material, large appliances, and light fixtures:  

Marin Resource Recovery Center 
(415) 485-5647  
565 Jacoby St. 
San Rafael, CA 94901 

Large Furniture: 

Make It Home
(415) 578-3205  
5800 Northgate Mall
San Rafael, CA 94903

Mt. Carmel Thrift Shop 
(415) 388-4332 
45 Lovell Avenue  
Mill Valley, CA 

Hospice Hodgepodge 
(415) 459-4686 
910 Lincoln Ave, San Rafael, CA 

Large exercise equipment:  

Make It Home
(415) 578-3205  
5800 Northgate Mall
San Rafael, CA 94903

Medical equipment and supplies:  

Marin Center for Independent Living 
(415) 459-6245 
710 Fourth Street 
San Rafael, CA 94901  

Unopened lotions, shampoo, and personal care items:  

New Beginnings Center 
415-382-3363 
1399 N. Hamilton Parkway 
Novato, CA 94949 

Jonathan’s Place
(415) 457-9651 
190 Mill St. 
San Rafael, CA 94901

For additional information and resources, visit https://zerowastemarin.org/residents/recycling-disposal-reuse-guide/

San Francisco County

Canned and Non-Perishable Food:  

SF Marin Food Bank 
(415) 824-3663 
900 Pennsylvania Ave. 
San Francisco, CA 94107 

Mattresses, box springs, mattress toppers, and pillows:  

Recology Bulky Item Pickup 
One per year, SF Residents only 
(415) 330-1300 or 
(415) 626-4000 

Building material, large appliances, and light fixtures: 

Building Resources 
(415) 285-7814 
701 Amador Street 
San Francisco, CA 94124 

Large Furniture:  

Community Thrift 
(415) 861-4910 
623 Valencia St 
San Francisco, CA 94110 

Out of The Closet 
(415) 558-7176 
1295 Folsom Street 
San Francisco, CA 94103 

Large exercise equipment: 

Out of The Closet 
(415) 558-7176 
1295 Folsom Street 
San Francisco, CA 94103 

Medical equipment and supplies:  

ReCares (only open on Thursdays) 
(415) 487-5405 
63 Dorland St 
San Francisco, CA 94110  

Unopened lotions, shampoo, and personal care items:  

Homeless Prenatal Program 
(415) 546-6756 
2500 18th St.  
San Francisco, CA 94110  

Safe & Sound Bayview 
(415) 694- 5840 
3450 3rd Street, Building 2, Suite 300 
San Francisco, CA 94124 

For additional information and resources, visit https://sfrecycles.org/

San Mateo County

Canned and Non-Perishable Food:  

Second Harvest Food Bank 
(650) 610-0800 
1051 Bing Street 
San Carlos, CA 94070 

Mattresses, box springs, mattress toppers, and pillows:  

Recology Bulky Item Pickup  
Up to two pick-ups per year for San Mateo County residents
(650) 595.3900 

Building material, large appliances, and light fixtures:  

Habitat for Humanity 
(925) 826-5465 
1608 Las Plumas Ave 
San Jose, CA 95133 

Large Furniture:   

Thrift Center Thrift Store 
(650) 593-1082 
1060 El Camino Real 
San Carlos, CA 94070 

Large exercise equipment:  

Savers 
(650) 364-5545 
875 Main St. 
Redwood City, CA 94063 

Medical equipment and supplies:  

Independence Center for People with Disabilities  
(650) 645-1780 
2001 Winward Way, Ste 103 
San Mateo, CA 94404  

Unopened lotions, shampoo, and personal care items:  

Samaritan House 
(650) 347-3648 
4031 Pacific Boulevard 
San Mateo, CA 94403 

Redwood Family House 
(650) 364-8264 
110 Locust St.  
Redwood City, CA 94061 

For additional information and resources, visit https://www.recyclestuff.org/

Solano County

Canned and Non-Perishable Food:  

Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano
707-421-9777  
2370 N Watney Way  
Fairfield, CA 94533 

Mattresses, box springs, mattress toppers, and pillows:  

Recology Solano County  
(707) 448-2945 

Building material, large appliances, and light fixtures:  

Habitat for Humanity ReStore
707-863-0692 
104 Commerce Court 
Fairfield, CA 94534 

Large Furniture:

Habitat for Humanity ReStore
707-863-0692 
104 Commerce Court 
Fairfield, CA 94534 

Opportunity House 
(707) 446-6246 
107 Peabody Road  
Vacaville, CA 95687 

Large exercise equipment:  

Opportunity House 
(707) 446-6246 
107 Peabody Road  
Vacaville, CA 95687 

Medical equipment and supplies:  

Independent Living Resources Fairfield 
(707) 435-8174 
450 Chadbourne Road, Ste C  
Fairfield, CA 94534  

Unopened lotions, shampoo, and personal care items:  

Opportunity House Shelter 
(707) 447-1988 
267 Bennett Hill Ct 
Vacaville, CA 95688 

For additional information and resources, visit https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/rm/planning/solano_county_recycling/recycling_guide