Spring marks the time of year when "out with the old" is a common phrase for homeowners, college students, and anyone trying to downsize as part of their spring cleaning routine. This time of year is also a busy one for thrift stores tasked with taking-in and distributing a wide range of items donated on a daily basis.
"Winters can be long in Minnesota, but when the weather gets nice, people like to get outside, get their yards ready, and clean-up their homes and garage," said Nick Adams, Retail Stores Senior Director at Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota. "We see a pretty substantial increase in donations this time of year."
Adams spoke to WCCO Radio from Goodwill's newest store location in Lakeville. He said they see everything come through their donation doors during the spring including indoor and outdoor furniture, as well as clothing, and home decor.
It's also a busy time for donations as college students move out of their dorms.
"We see some of that," Adams said. "I think what's challenging with college campuses is they all are moving in or out on the same couple of days. Often times dorm students don't have vehicles or ways to get those items to Goodwill. I think what gets brought home likely the parents might bring it into Goodwill, depending on if they want to store it or reuse it in the fall or not. There's probably ways to get those items donated versus them going in the dumpsters that I know colleges bring in for moveout week."
Reusing and repurposing items is one of, if not the main, goals for Goodwill, which keeps about 65 million pounds from Minnesota landfills annually.
"Minnesotans are very generous and we appreciate and need every item donated because proceeds from those items help fund services and programs that help people with career services in Minnesota. We're very thrifty when it comes to finding purposes to recycle, resell, and reuse."
When it comes to clothing, Adams says Goodwill takes all types even if it's not resellable.
"We have ways to recycle it and reuse it," he said. "For home goods and furniture, as long as it's in good condition and useable, we will find a purpose and a need for it to keep it out of the landfill."
There are also donations like winter coats and other cold-weather items that won't even see the sale floor until later in the year.
"There's an assumption when you donate something that it's sold in the same store that day, or week," Adams said. "We do save items seasonally. Right now in the spring we see a lot of fall and winter jackets, boots, snowboards, and skis. We store and save that stuff in our warehouse for that season."
More information about donating to Goodwill (and what items are prohibited) can be found on their website.