Acceptance Policies

We take a wide range of building materials and related items, but we can’t take everything. There are many items not listed below that we will accept – please contact us if you think we might be interested in something that is not listed.

Please look at the categories below for condition requirements specific to the category, along with “marginal styles” that we MAY be able to accept (call for info on current acceptability) and “unacceptable styles” that we will never accept.

Acceptance is based on current stock levels and space, quality and condition of the material, and is always subject to final inspection by the Receiving Crew.

We will NOT take items that:
– Are INCOMPLETE or missing parts
– Are DAMAGED beyond repair
– Require excessive assembly prior to use

We will NOT take liquids, chemicals, or items containing hazardous materials such as PCB’s, mercury, or asbestos.

In most cases we can only re-sell appliances that are newer than 10 years old, however we may extend this requirement for appliances that are high-end or in extraordinary condition

-Appliances must have all their parts and pieces to be re-sellable.

NOTE: On a limited basis (please call for info), we may accept appliances (except refrigerators and microwaves) that don’t meet the re-sellable criteria because we can send them to be crushed and recycled.

CONDITION REQUIREMENTS

– Must be free from rot, bowing, twisting, and structural damage

– Must not have holes, deep gouges, or abnormal alterations

– Doors with jambs must be hung in the jamb (we will not accept empty door jambs).

MARGINAL STYLES

Accepted only on a limited basis and in excellent condition. Please call for details:

– Hollow core doors

– Louvered closet doors

– Doors taller than 84” or shorter than 75”

– Commercial solid core doors

– Aluminum screen/storm doors (wood screen doors in good condition are desirable)

UNACCEPTABLE STYLES

– Single pane aluminum sliding doors

– Exterior sliding doors not assembled and complete

– Garage doors without all associated hardware

CONDITION REQUIREMENTS

– Glass must be intact and free of cracks, chips, or breaks

– Thermopane (double pane) glass must be free of fogging or moisture between panes

– Wood frames must be free from rot, bowing, twisting, and structural damage

– Operable window hardware must be fully intact and functional

MARGINAL STYLES

Accepted only on a limited basis and in excellent condition. Please call for details:

– Any window with dimensions larger than 6ft in any direction

– Any non-operating picture-style windows

– Vintage single pane wood window sashes

– New double pane aluminum windows

– Older generic wood thermopane windows

– Vintage steel frame windows

UNNACCEPTABLE STYLES

– Single pane aluminum windows

– Thermopane glazing with no frame

CONDITION REQUIREMENTS

– Must be structurally sound; no splitting at joints.

– Must have all doors and drawers intact and installed. We will not accept cabinets with doors and drawers removed.

MARGINAL STYLES

Accepted only on a limited basis and in excellent condition. Please call for details:

– Generic plastic laminate and particle board cabinets from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s.

– Blind corner and wall oven cabinets (or other awkward configurations) that are not part of a set.

UNNACCEPTABLE STYLES

– Built-in media/entertainment cabinets

– Low quality, dated cabinetry

CONDITION REQUIREMENTS

– Must be free of chips, cracks (even hairline), or rust (some allowance on vintage fixtures)

– Stainless sinks must be free of dents, dings, excessive scratching, and mounting rails must be free of rust

– Free-standing sinks must have associated pedestal, legs, or mounting brackets

MARGINAL STYLES

Accepted only on a limited basis and in excellent condition. Please call for details:

– Low-grade stainless steel kitchen sinks

– Fiberglass or plastic kitchen sinks

– Any sink in any color other than white, off-white, black, or stainless

– Any enameled steel sinks

– Generic wall-mount sinks

NOTE: We may be able to accept recyclable metal (cast iron or enameled steel) sinks that do not meet the condition requirements (call for info).

UNACCEPTABLE STYLES

– Cultured marble sink/counter one piece combos (modern Corian in good condition is OK)

– Concrete laundry sinks

– Sinks used to dispose of paint or harmful chemicals

– Cheap plastic sinks

CONDITION REQUIREMENTS

– Must be clean

– Must be free of chips and cracks (even hairline)

– Tank and bowl must be assembled, and must include tank lid

– Must be low-flow, unless it is a unique vintage piece

– Should have functional inner hardware (some allowance for vintage)

– White color preferred, unless item is of exceptional quality or vintage

MARGINAL STYLES

Accepted only on a limited basis and in excellent condition. Please call for details:

– Commercial, flush valve toilet bowls

– Generic (no-name or plain) cheap toilets

– Plain, un-decorated styles of vintage wall-mount tank toilets

UNACCEPTABLE STYLES

– Non low-flow toilets that are not unique and pre-1945.

– Disassembled toilets and individual bowls and tanks (except some ornate or unique vintage styles)

CONDITION REQUIREMENTS

– Must be free of nails

– Lumber and trim must be 6 feet or longer Must be free of rot, excessive checking, twisting, bowing, cracking and crowning

– Trim must be unpainted (some exceptions for desirable profiles and species) Plywood or OSB must be flat and at least 1/2 sheet

MARGINAL STYLES

Accepted only on a limited basis and in excellent condition. Please call for details:

– Engineered lumber products (TJI’s and other laminated strand products)

– Simple casing and all common trim profiles

– Sheet goods other than OSB and plywood

UNACCEPTABLE STYLES

– Any lumber, trim, or OSB with nails, or that is less than 6 feet in length (some exceptions for off-cuts of large lumber)
– MDF trim

CONDITION REQUIREMENTS

– All pieces must be free of nails

– Must be free of rot, excessive checking, twisting, bowing, and crowning

– Tongues and grooves must be intact

– Must be within 1/16in of original thickness

MARGINAL STYLES

Accepted only on a limited basis and in excellent condition. Please call for details:

– Quantities less than 100SF

– Flooring lots with pieces less than 4ft in length

– Laminate or engineered wood flooring (must be new in box, and must be more than 100SF)

– Vinyl or marmoleum remnant flooring (must be more than 25SF)

UNACCEPTABLE STYLES

– Used laminate/engineered wood flooring

– New laminate/engineered flooring in quantities less than 100SF

CONDITION REQUIREMENTS

– Fixtures with glass shades/globes/lenses must be free of chips cracks or breaks

– Fixtures must be complete and assembled (some exceptions for high-quality or vintage fixtures)

NOTE: Because of the changing nature of designs and styles, and varying qualities of lighting, we must examine light fixtures on an item-by-item basis to determine acceptability. A digital photo of your lighting fixtures sent to [email protected] will usually allow us to determine their acceptability. In most cases we can accept fixtures that meet the condition requirements, and can often accept parts and pieces of vintage and antique fixtures.

UNACCEPTABLE STYLES

– Any fluorescent light fixtures (some exceptions for new-in-box shop-style lighting)

– Any halogen lights

– Any fixtures with broken glass

– Dated styles that require excessive assembly

CONDITION REQUIREMENTS

– Ceiling fans must be assembled and complete with all parts and hardware.

– Service panels must not have excessive knockouts missing and must be usable under current electrical codes.

NOTE: Due to typically high content of recyclable metals, we are able to accept most electrical components, and we can recycle what cannot be re-used (call to verify if we can accept your electrical items).

Due to typically high content of recyclable metals, we are able to accept most hardware, and we can recycle what cannot be re-used.  To be safe, we encourage you to call to verify if we can accept your hardware.

CONDITION REQUIREMENTS

– Masonry must be free of mortar and must be completely intact (no chipped corners or broken pieces)

– Tile must be new and in complete boxes (some exceptions for certain vintage tile styles)

– Stone countertop must be at least 24in in both directions (except for finished pieces for specific applications)

MARGINAL STYLES

Accepted only on a limited basis and in excellent condition. Please call for details:

– Single boxes of generic floor and wall tile

– Stone countertop with broken edges

NOTE: The receiving crew is not always available to help unload large quantities of masonry (bricks, blocks, pavers, etc). To ensure acceptance and to speed up the drop-off, please deliver these types of materials on a pallet for easy fork-lift off-load (pallets are available for pick-up at the Receiving Department).

CONDITION REQUIREMENTS

– Must be structurally sound (no splitting joints, or missing parts)

– Must not require assembly or special set-up for merchandising

– Must be solid wood or plywood construction (no upholstery and no particle board or MDF)

Due to the frequent changes in furniture style and taste, we cannot take all styles of furniture, even if it meets the condition requirements. Acceptability must be determined by our Receiving Crew on an item-by-item basis.

MARGINAL STYLES

Accepted only on a limited basis and in excellent condition. Please call for details:

– Chairs and stools

– Bed frames

– Large armoires

– Desks

UNACCEPTABLE STYLES

– Couches, arm chairs, and any upholstered furniture

– Entertainment centers (especially those designed for older CRT televisions)

–  Mattresses

CONDITION REQUIREMENTS

– Forced air furnaces (gas or electric) should be 90% efficiency, in fully-functioning condition, and include all parts and pieces

– Hot water heaters should be less than 4 years old and in fully-functioning condition.

– Wood burning appliances that are not pre-1945 must be certified to meet requirements for emissions and efficiency by the State of Washington (must have a plaque stating make/model)

– Gas heating stoves and fireplaces must have all parts and pieces (including doors, gas regulators, hardware, etc) and in fully-functioning condition.

– Vintage radiators must be water radiators (no steam)

MARGINAL STYLES

Accepted only on a limited basis and in excellent condition. Please call for details:

– 80% efficiency forced air furnaces

– Gas fireplace inserts and freestanding fireplaces

– Window unit and free-standing air conditioners

– Oil burning furnaces

UNACCEPTABLE STYLES

– Any air conditioning units and heat pumps

NOTE: Due to typically high content of recyclable metals, we are able to accept most heating system-related items (items that are free of asbestos-containing insulation or refrigerants), and we can recycle what cannot be re-used (call to verify if we can accept your heating items).

– Carpet and carpet pad
– Paints, chemicals, and compounds
– Used tile (or tile that is not in full boxes)
– Aluminum windows (prior to ca. 2000)
– Particle board sheets and shelf stock
– Partial rolls of fiberglass insulation
– Lumber, trim, or pipe that is less than 6 feet in length
– MDF trim
– Hollow core doors that are not in like-new condition
– Thermopane glass units with no frame
– Cabinets that are missing doors or drawers
– Mattresses

NOTE: This list is far from complete – we encourage you to call us if you have any questions about dropping off material! We sometimes make exceptions to our acceptance policies if we know someone in the community is looking for certain items.

More info on Washington’s PaintCare Recycling Program