The City provides curbside appliance and electronics collection. The Columbia Heights Recycling Center has a scrap metal bin for any household or garage items that are mostly metal, plus there are bins for string lights (holiday lights), fluorescent bulbs, and household batteries.
Bro-Tex, Inc. recycles carpet and Second Chance Recycling deconstructs mattresses and recycles the various components. Bridging (a non-profit serving the Twin Cities area) accepts gently used furniture, housewares, small appliances/electronics, and other miscellaneous household goods, which they give to those transitioning out of homelessness or in poverty. The local food shelf, Southern Anoka Community Assistance (SACA), has a small thrift store as well and accepts donations of small household items and clothing.
Our local thrift stores such as Savers (donations for the Disabled American Veterans) and Unique (donations for Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization) will take useable household goods such as clothing, shoes, accessories, small appliances, bed and bath items, media (books, DVDs, CDs, software, video games), furniture, housewares, sporting goods, games, and toys. The Disabled American Veterans also conducts curbside pickup for our local Savers.
There are also several clothing drop-boxes in town including a Savers drop-box (donations for Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization) that will take overly worn clothing and linens for recycling. For other items, see the Anoka County recycling directory at http://www.anokacounty.us/recycle.
Please note: A useable household donation means it works and is something in good enough shape that you would give it to a friend or family member.