Information for…
Scam alerts: check the FTC for what is out there and how to combat it
How long should I keep that tax return? Papers piling up because you’re not sure how long to keep them? Click on how long to keep papers to find out.
For business papers, click here for the IRS version.
Security Freeze vs. Fraud alerts: View Consumer Reports article about the Equifax breach
Resource Handout – when you’ve finished editing your closet/garage/space and you wonder what to do with the “stuff”. Use this handy list!
Multi-services
Remoov offers pick up of consignment items, donation and trash all at one time! Their rate depends on how much your items fill up the truck and if there are any disposal fees. I have used them several times and recommend them.
EcoHaul disposes your items either through recycling, donation or composting.
East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse – Estate Clean Out. There are 3 different levels (1 free and 2 fee-based), so check them out! Their goal is to recycle as much as possible.
Donations
Bay Area Rescue Mission – 2nd & McDonald, Richmond. Household goods, clothing, toys, linens
Goodwill – many locations
Salvation Army – many locations
East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse – based in Oakland, they take a wide variety of items (small furniture, small working appliances, crafts/supplies that teachers can use). They also offer estate clean out – see above for more information.
Thrift Town – El Sobrante
East Bay Children’s Book Project – children books, Oakland
Hopeline – cell phones, batteries, chargers, and accessories in any condition.
Recycling
Berkeley Recycling 2nd & Gilman Streets
El Cerrito Recycle Center – north end of Moeser Street, El Cerrito. Styrofoam packaging, hard plastic and plastic bags, cardboard/paper, metal, batteries, glass, bicycles (and parts), medications.
There is also a Goodwill for donations and the Exchange Zone, which is an area for books, eyeglasses & bulbs (both have to go to the office), hangers, corks, toys, etc.
Clothing: H&M drop-off locations. Any clothing in any condition is accepted (probably decently clean). For each bag of clothing you bring in, you receive a voucher (redeemable on your next purchase). For each pound of clothing they collect, 1 cent will be donated to a local charity chosen by H&M. The donations are not tax-deductible. For more info, click here.
Services
CarePatrol: A free service to help find affordable housing for seniors, particularly for those with low income. The local representative is Mike Awadalla.
Gepetto’s Antiques Restoration
Victims Service, San Francisco District Attorney’s Office : provides assistance to elderly victims of scams and frauds. 415 553-9044
Hazardous Waste
Alameda County
West Contra Costa County
Professional Organizing
National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals
Code of Ethics
Get Organized (GO) Month
Organizing Ideas
Rev-a-Shelf makes custom shelves/inserts for cabinets/drawers. This picture shows how to organize food storage containers!
