When Linda Kirby’s mother died recently, she was left with a still-usable mattress, medical equipment and more. She spent hours on Google researching what to do with all of it, and never found an easy answer.

“I think unfortunately, people who don’t have the time to research, ‘Where do these things go?’ They just go in the trash,” said Kirby, an Indianapolis resident. “You have to be committed to it.”

She has figured out how to recycle things through trial and error, finding connections through Facebook and donating through organizations like St. Vincent DePaul and Freewheelin Community Bikes. 

If you have a similar pile of odds and ends – like an old microwave, your kid’s tennis racket, leftover paint or other unusual items – it can be hard to figure out how to find them a new home that isn’t just the dumpster. Organizations across Indianapolis have options for donating, recycling and giving away these items. 

1. Freewheelin Community Bikes: Freewheelin Community Bikes accepts new and used bicycles. New bikes go to children, and old bikes are disassembled for parts or recycled. You can only take bikes on specific donation days, which are listed here.
2. Mustard Seed of Central Indiana: Mustard Seed of Central Indiana takes new and gently used furniture and will pick it up for a fee based on distance. The furniture goes to refugees, people affected by natural disasters, survivors of domestic violence and others who may need it. 
3. St. Vincent DePaul: St. Vincent DePaul keeps a list of items that they accept, including bicycles, appliances and kitchen accessories — all of which go to “neighbors in need.” The organization even accepts new mattresses and box springs, as long as they are in the original packaging. Make sure to check the list of items that can’t be taken as well. The distribution center, at 1201 Maryland St., accepts donations at dock door No. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. There are also blue bins to drop off clothes and shoes, as well as options for regular and priority pickups. 
4. Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a store stocked with donated home items at lower prices. The Indianapolis branch is located at 4129 W. Washington St., and is open for dropping off donations 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. They take a long list of items, organized by the area in your house where you might find them — including toilets, appliances, decor, books and more. For larger items and bulk donations, call (317) 969-8791 to request a pickup. 
5. Freecycle: For all the things you don’t want to throw out, but don’t know what to do with, networks like Freecycle provide opportunities to give them to others. Recent postings show people giving away everything from cassette tapes to kitchen counters. You can request things, too. There are over 14,000 members of the network in the state, and a specific Indianapolis community. The group has guidelines and notices for members, like a rule to not post personal stories and information.
6. Tox Drop: Leftover paint, batteries, electronics and toxic waste can’t go into the trash can. They can go to the city’s ToxDrop program, which is open for drive-through drop-offs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at different locations on the first, second and third Saturdays of each month. 

• First Saturday: Traders Point Collection Facility, 7550 N. Lafayette Road.
• Second Saturday: Perry Township Government Center, 4925 S. Shelby St. 
• Third Saturday: Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Training Facility, 9049 E. 10th St.

7. RecycleForce: RecycleForce accepts old phones, laptops, other electronics and some metals at its location on 816 N. Sherman Drive. Drop-offs are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m on Saturdays at the southwest corner of the building, where you can honk your horn for help. They do not accept cardboard or other typical recyclables, and have a list of things you can take. Small fees are required to donate TVs, monitors, refrigerators and HVAC items. 
8. FAME: Located at 4545 Southeastern Ave., FAME is a Christian organization that accepts medicine and new and used medical equipment that they use for humanitarian aid. They accept donations 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For questions about what can be donated, call (317) 358-2480.
9. Wheeler Mission: Wheeler Mission is a Christian organization that accepts donations that go toward people experiencing homelessness. Furniture, vehicles, clothing and more items are accepted. They pick up furniture, but clothing and smaller household items can be donated at their donation barns. Their Indianapolis donation barn is located at New Life Worship Center, 7860 Lafayette Road.
10. Indy Pickup 1111: Indy Pickup 1111 takes electronics, scrap metal and appliances, with free pickup for items on this list. You can call or text (317) 350-1111 or fill out a request online to schedule a pickup. There are a variety of fees for items that aren’t on the approved list. 
11. Buy Nothing Project: The Buy Nothing Project is a global group that has local reach, and it provides a platform for people to trade and gift items. The project’s goal is to stop overconsumption by creating a place for neighbors to share resources. Each community has rules and moderators to make sure members follow guidelines and feel safe. 

Buy Nothing Facebook groups by area in Indy:

• Castleton
• Glendale/Broad Ripple
• Greenbriar/Meridian Hills/Williams Creek
• Irvington
• King Park
• Meridian-Kessler/Butler-Tarkington
• Near East Side Communities

Mirror Indy reporter Sophie Young covers services throughout Indianapolis. Have resources or services that we should know? Contact her at sophie.young@mirrorindy.org.