How do I get rid of stuff during COVID?

May 9, 2020 6:45 AM

I’m going to be moving from a 1 bedroom on Long Island to a studio in Manhattan sometime in June. This will necessarily involve a certain amount of downsizing of stuff and furniture. Normally I’d donate items. What are my options to get rid of stuff now?

Why am I moving in the middle of a pandemic? To start residency now that I’ve graduated medical school, of course.

posted by ocherdraco to Home & Garden (14 answers total)

Here in the Bay Area, people are still actively using the free section on Craigslist and Freecycle, generally by arranging to leave things outside for someone so there's no interaction. You could also pay your city for a bulk pickup of trash, as a last resort.
posted by pinochiette at 7:01 AM on May 9, 2020 [5 favorites]

I agree with pinochiette. I haven't moved in a long time, but posting in Craiglist's free stuff category seems like easiest way to go.
posted by cowlick at 7:18 AM on May 9, 2020 [1 favorite]

If you live in a place where it's feasible, putting things out by the street with a "free" sign is often a quick way to get rid of them. Furniture generally disappears fast.
posted by Redstart at 7:25 AM on May 9, 2020 [5 favorites]

Will your landlord give you pennies on the dollar for any of this stuff? The place can then be minimally "furnished?"
posted by lalochezia at 7:32 AM on May 9, 2020 [1 favorite]

People are using NextDoor, Craigslist and Freecycle here (though our Goodwill is also still taking some donations). People are usually leaving things outside for others to pick up, and are saying in their ads that they have sanitized stuff. Things that can easily be cleaned/washed/sanitized are usually better received than something people are unsure of. So, a dresser or dishes will go more easily than an upholstered couch.
posted by gudrun at 7:54 AM on May 9, 2020 [2 favorites]

Have you reached out to the other residents in your cohort who are moving to NYC at the same time?
posted by sciencegeek at 8:16 AM on May 9, 2020 [2 favorites]

Around here, people are actively using the buy-nothing groups and similar online spaces to give stuff away. Some of the donation centers here have partially reopened, as well (there are still some restrictions on what you can bring in, and not all locations are open yet), but that may not yet be the case where you are.
posted by Dip Flash at 9:17 AM on May 9, 2020

Our goodwill is taking donations as contactless dropoff. They're taking most things except mattresses and furniture right now.
posted by assenav at 9:52 AM on May 9, 2020

I’ve used Offer Up here with much success. The more free something is, the quicker it gets picked up.
posted by katypickle at 10:14 AM on May 9, 2020

Lots of activity on Facebook Marketplace. Good free stuff gets snatched up fast
posted by Archipelago at 10:37 AM on May 9, 2020

Adding to the chorus recommending that placing a FREE sign on anything you put out being a handy, stress-free way to get rid of all sorts of things. I had the ugliest TV trays ever, and no one I knew wanted them (wise friends). I wrote a sign that said "FREE -retro TV trays!" and put them on the curb. They were gone in under ten minutes. Magic!
posted by but no cigar at 11:14 AM on May 9, 2020

You may want to seek out groups that resettle refugees or domestic violence victims, as they always have need; many will have a list of desired donations on their website, and they may be able to arrange contactless pickup.
posted by carrienation at 11:53 AM on May 9, 2020 [2 favorites]

Purple Heart is picking up in my area. When I searched for more info, I found they get pickups through GreenDrop, which apparently picks up for several organizations. So maybe give them a call. Having trouble linking on my phone but they’re easy to google.
posted by FencingGal at 12:28 PM on May 9, 2020

Another option you might look at is to see if any local homeless shelters or outreach programs are accepting donations.
posted by Aleyn at 3:16 PM on May 9, 2020