The Swap Shop
Gardner Transfer Station Swap Shop Rules
Open for Drop-off and Browsing weekly:
Friday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
The Swap Shop is open to Gardner residents with a current Transfer Station Sticker or 1-Day Pass.
All items shall be inspected by the Transfer Station Attendant before they can be dropped off at the Swap Shop. Any items left outside of the Swap Shop and/or not approved by the attendant shall be rejected. Residents are required to retain or dispose of any rejected items. Disposal of rejected items shall be in the proper receptacle with payment of the required disposal fees.
All donations must be in clean working order to be accepted by staff. Donations will only be accepted if capacity is available. Capacity shall be determined by Transfer Station Staff, and items may be refused if capacity is limited.
What to bring to the Swap Shop
Examples of Acceptable Items: All items must be clean, dry, and in good working condition
- Art / Frames / Non-Flammable Art Supplies
- Puzzles (with all pieces)
- Tools, in working order
- Hardware
- Fabric, yarn, sewing supplies
- Fashion accessories, jewelry
- Furniture - SPACE PERMITTING, fully assembled, no particle board, broken, or upholstered furniture. See other exceptions below.
- Kid / Children items - functional or fun - CLEAN, not broken
- Luggage / handbags / wallets / back packs - CLEAN and functional
- Musical Instruments
- Office supplies, greeting cards, gift wrap, party goods
- Pet equipment / supplies - CLEAN
- Records / CDs / DVDs
- Sports equipment - CLEAN and usable
- Turntables, radios, speakers, clocks, cameras
- Useful and/or decorative household objects and equipment – CLEAN
- Yard and garden equipment, supplies, decor, plants, houseplants - NO HOSES
What Not to Bring to the Swap Shop
Examples of Non-Acceptable Items:
- Baby strollers, car seats, pack n’ plays, etc*
- Bicycles – Free to recycle (use metal bin)
- Broken or particle board furniture*
- Broken machines*
- Batteries (alkaline)*
- Batteries (Li-Ion, Ni-Cd, Ni-MH) - Bring to Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
- Batteries (rechargeable) – Free to recycle (use battery shed)
- Computers / peripherals*
- Clothing and shoes - Free to recycle (use textile donation bins)
- Damaged, defective, or soiled items*
- Hazardous/flammable materials – Bring to Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
- Large appliances*
- Large chandeliers / light fixtures*
- Landline phones / answering machines / fax machines*
- Mattresses, bed frames, bedding material, pillows, blankets*
- Medical Devices*
- Used appliances such as microwaves*
- Smoke Detectors - Remove battery and dispose of detector in trash
- Stuffed Animals*
- Tires*
- Toilets*
- TVs and computer monitors*
- Upholstered Furniture*
- VCRs / DVD players*
Items Not Listed: The acceptability of any item that is not specifically identified under the Acceptable or Non‐Acceptable Items will be determined by the Staff. The Decision of the Staff is Final.
*These items have a fee for disposal. Disposal or drop off of any item requires a resident transfer station sticker or 1-day pass.
All fees must be prepaid in the Health Department office or online. Transfer Station Attendants are not authorized to accept cash or checks.