How to give away or donate furniture and clothes in Buenos Aires
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The fastest way is to post a "free" listing: on ArgHub, in Telegram marketplace groups or on Facebook Marketplace, such items are picked up within a day or two. Furniture and appliances in good condition are collected for free from your home by the City of Buenos Aires for reuse (request via BA Colaborativa, 147 or Boti), and clothes and household items are accepted by the charity Ejército de Salvación (Salvation Army). Broken items go to the City's free bulky-waste collection; electronics to the "Puntos Verdes Móviles".
Where should I take things I no longer need in Buenos Aires?
- What — Where — How
- Any item in working order — A "free" listing on ArgHub, Telegram marketplace groups, Facebook Marketplace — The person collects it; you agree on a time
- Furniture and appliances in good condition — City programme "Donación de bienes de hogar en desuso" — Request via BA Colaborativa (a miBA account is needed), 147 or Boti; the foundation assesses the item and collects it from your address for free
- Furniture, appliances, mattresses, clothes, bedding, books, toys, dishes — Ejército de Salvación (Salvation Army) — They sell items in charity shops and the proceeds go to social programmes; home pickup by phone at 0810-222-3662 (Mon–Fri, 9–17) or via the form at edstiendas.org.ar
- Broken furniture, mattresses, large appliances — City collection of "residuos voluminosos" (bulky waste) — Request via the Boti WhatsApp (11-5050-0147) or 147; free
- Computers, phones, tablets, batteries, oil — Puntos Verdes Móviles — Up to 10 devices per person; the schedule is on the City website
How do I give something away with a "free" listing?
- On ArgHub, when you post the listing, tick "Free to a good home" instead of a price. Add up to 6 photos, the neighbourhood and when it suits you for the item to be collected.
- The listing stays up for 30 days; once the item is collected, mark it "Sold" (given away) so people stop writing to you.
- Be honest about defects: "works, but has a scratch", "needs cleaning".
- State the conditions: "collect yourself, 3rd floor, no lift" — it saves messages.
- If many people want it, give it to whoever arrives first at the agreed time, and don't hold a reservation for days.
How does the free furniture pickup for reuse work?
This is the City of Buenos Aires procedure "Donación de bienes de hogar en desuso":
- Log in to miBA and fill in the request in BA Colaborativa (or call 147 / message Boti): address, what you are giving away, and a contact e-mail.
- The Fundación Vivienda Digna contacts you by e-mail and assesses the condition of the item.
- If it is suitable, collection from your address is arranged.
- The service is free. They accept furniture, appliances and other large household items in good condition.
What do I do with broken items and bulky waste?
- The City's "recolección programada de residuos voluminosos" is free: furniture, mattresses, fridges, washing machines, bathroom fixtures, and up to 500 kg of rubble from a small renovation.
- Request it via the Boti WhatsApp (11-5050-0147) or on 147. The day and time of the pickup are agreed when you make the request.
- You may not put furniture on the pavement or leave it by a bin without a request — the City requires the collection to be arranged in advance.
Where do I take electronics and batteries?
- The "Puntos Verdes Móviles" accept electronics (laptops and computers with accessories, phones, tablets, cameras, radios — up to 10 devices per person), batteries of any kind, used cooking oil in closed plastic bottles, cartridges and light bulbs. Where and when the points are set up is in the schedule at buenosaires.gob.ar.
- Before handing in a phone or laptop, delete your data and sign out of your accounts.
How do I donate clothes and household items to charity?
- Ejército de Salvación accepts furniture, appliances, mattresses, clothes, bedding, books, toys and dishes; home pickup is arranged by phone at 0810-222-3662 (Mon–Fri, 9–17).
- Children's things are often welcome among Russian-speaking families — post them as "free" in the "Market".
- Before you take clothes in, wash them and sort them by size — they get handed out faster that way.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I give away furniture for free in Buenos Aires?
Post it as "free" in a marketplace group, or make the City request "Donación de bienes de hogar en desuso" via 147 / BA Colaborativa — the foundation collects items in good condition for free.
How do I get rid of an old sofa or fridge?
Book the City's free bulky-waste collection via the Boti WhatsApp (11-5050-0147) or 147, and put the item out on the agreed day.
Where do I take old appliances and batteries?
To the Puntos Verdes Móviles: computers, phones and tablets (up to 10 items) and batteries.
Can I give things away through ArgHub?
Yes: when you post the listing, tick "Free to a good home" instead of a price.
Where can I donate clothes?
To Ejército de Salvación, or with a "free" listing for Russian-speaking families.