The ReCONNstruction Center || Donate or Buy Used and Recycled Building Materials, Supplies and Salvage || New Britain, Connecticut ( CT )


Guidelines for Donating Materials The ReCONNstruction Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that accepts tax-deductible donations of surplus and reuseable building supplies from businesses, manufacturers, and the general public. We try our best to keep the following donation list updated. However, the availability of warehouse space and fluctuating market conditions may influence our ability to accept every item on a continuing basis. Please contact us if you have a donation or are looking for something in particular. We inspect all materials and will decline unsatisfactory or overstocked items as necessary. Since our mission is to reuse these materials, they must be in saleable condition. We sometimes make exceptions to our donation policy. If you have something to donate that you think we can use, but is not on the list below, please call us. Likewise, if an item is exceptionally saleable, but you have no means to deliver it to us, we may arrange to pick it up. General Acceptance Criteria 1. All donated items must be in good reusable condition. We cannot accept items that are damaged beyond repair, or that have missing parts. Materials should be clean with no peeling paint, serious dents, chips, or rust. 2. We cannot accept hazardous materials. This includes items containing PCB’s, asbestos, mercury, or lead paint; and flammable compounds. 3. Items must be delivered to our facility. Drop-offs during business hours only, please call ahead. Until we secure more funding to purchase a box truck, pick-up service is available only on a limited basis. Please contact us to discuss your needs.
Items We Can Accept Building Materials Dimensional Lumber (4’ in length or longer; no paint or nails) Plywood (1/2 sheets or larger; no paint or nails) Drywall (1/2 sheets or larger) Insulation, rigid foam (1/2 sheets or larger) Insulation, fiberglass batts (clean and packaged in clear plastic bags) Siding, wood and vinyl Moldings (4’ or longer, no paint or nails) Stair railing and balusters Hardware Block, brick, pavers Flashing Roof shingles (asphalt only, complete packages) Caulking, putty, adhesives, grout (unopened containers only) Windows Double-pane (complete with frame only) Wood and Vinyl Storm windows with complete tracks Shutters, wood or vinyl (no missing slats) Doors Interior and Exterior with no damage Storm doors with complete frame Sliding or French doors with complete frame Fencing and gates Fireplace doors Bathroom Vanities Fixtures (faucets) Sinks Tubs (fiberglass or claw-foot only, no dated colors) Shower and tub enclosures (new only) Toilets (new low-flow or vintage only) Kitchen Cabinets Counter tops Hardware Sinks Fixtures (faucets) Flooring Wood Tile (ceramic with no grout, rubber, vinyl) Engineered flooring (i.e. Pergo), new only (at least 100sf) Sheet vinyl (5’ x 8’ minimum) Carpet (new only, 10' x 12' minimum) Electrical Lighting and electrical fixtures (no lamps or fluorescent bulbs) Ceiling fans Electric baseboard heaters (new only) HVAC Ducting and vent covers Plumbing Pipe, cast iron, PVC (4’ or longer) Plumbing supplies Wall Coverings Wall Paper (full rolls only) Wainscoting Paneling Misc. Items Gutters and accessories Wood stoves (antique only) Commercial shelving Tools General architectural salvage (mantles, stained glass, etc.) Items We Cannot Accept Appliances Used carpet Commercial 200-volt electric items Loose glass Fluorescent bulbs Hazardous materials Damaged goods Furniture Oil-based paint and stain
Tax-deductible Contributions Remember, your donation of materials and services to The ReCONNstruction Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is eligible as a tax deduction. Please consult the following links for more information on how to claim a tax deduction for your gift. Thank you for supporting The ReCONNstruction Center! IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions
Support Us The ReCONNstruction Center would be delighted to include you in our quest to be the best place in Connecticut to find quality used building materials. As a non-profit organization with an important vision, but a lack of funding, we cannot do it alone. Please contact us if you can help. Our wish list includes:
Start-up equipment (new or used) and services such as: Forklift Box truck Pallet jack Vehicle scale Advertising Printing Postage Inventory tracking and barcode system Monetary donations of any size.
Volunteer Often, it is the volunteers that bring a new dimension to non-profit organizations, and we would like you to consider helping us achieve our goals. We welcome volunteers to help us pick-up used items, do very minor repairs, and help out around the warehouse. Pro bono professional services, such as accounting, legal, and public relations are also needed. Please contact us if you're interested in volunteering, or call Kerry Ann Kowar, Volunteer Coordinator, at 860-597-3390. Download a printable version of the volunteer application (pdf file). Volunteer Opportunities Customer Service/Cashier The volunteer Customer Service/Cashier has an outgoing, friendly personality and enjoys working with people. They have basic math skills and are comfortable handling money and making change. This volunteer will also acquire a general working knowledge of inventory to serve customers. Marketing Ambassador The volunteer Marketing Ambassador will promote ReCONN in the community by distributing flyers, contacting individuals and businesses via phone or in person. Warehouse Assistant The volunteer Warehouse Assistant will assist staff and customers in moving inventory and processing donations. This volunteer will lift and carry merchandise. Outdoor Projects This volunteer assignment provides general maintenance of the ReCONN outdoor environment including mowing the lawn and weeding, picking up debris, sweeping, etc. Website Administrator The volunteer Web Site Administrator will have experience and skills in graphic design and web content management. This person will have a demonstrated working knowledge of Adobe Dreamweaver 3.0 for Windows and basic Adobe Photoshop skills. Data Entry This volunteer assignment will input information using Excel spreadsheets. Basic computer and Excel knowledge is preferred or a willingness to learn. Product Research This volunteer assignment will conduct internet/phone research for product pricing, grant information, etc. Jack/Jill of all Trades This volunteer will repair, assemble and clean merchandise and make small building repairs as needed. Basic carpentry skills are required.
return to top of page printer-friendly version

The ReCONNstruction ( reconstruction ) Center || Donate or Buy Used and Recycled Building Materials, Supplies and Salvage || New Britain, Connecticut ( CT ) || The ReCONNstruction ( reconstruction ) Center || Donate or Buy Used and Recycled Building Materials, Supplies and Salvage || New Britain, Connecticut ( CT ) || The ReCONNstruction ( reconstruction ) Center || Donate or Buy Used and Recycled Building Materials, Supplies and Salvage || New Britain, Connecticut ( CT ) || The ReCONNstruction ( reconstruction ) Center || Donate or Buy Used and Recycled Building Materials, Supplies and Salvage || New Britain, Connecticut ( CT ) || The ReCONNstruction ( reconstruction ) Center || Donate or Buy Used and Recycled Building Materials, Supplies and Salvage || New Britain, Connecticut ( CT ) || The ReCONNstruction ( reconstruction ) Center || Donate or Buy Used and Recycled Building Materials, Supplies and Salvage || New Britain, Connecticut ( CT )