Delaware Reuse Guide: Reuse Directory
Page Contents
Appliances Babies, Moms, and Kids Bicycles Books Building Materials Carpets Clocks and Watches Clothing Computers and Other Advanced Technologies Furniture and Household / Office Furniture Machinery and Tools Medical and Health Equipment Musical Instruments Office Equipment Photographic Equipment Recreational and Sporting Equipment Vacuums/Sewing Machines TVs/VCR/Stereos
Appliances
Many household appliances can be repaired. Quality items are often more likely to be fixable, but no matter what, when considering repair, always ask for an estimate. If the price is too high, consider buying a used and/or refurbished replacement. Many times repair shops also deal in secondhand appliances or can direct you to a business that does. If the appliance you are replacing is large (like a refrigerator or washing machine) ask the dealer if they have a pick-up and installation service.
Appliance Service Center
3317B Old Capitol Trail
Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 994-6259
Small appliance repair
Check the Yellow Pages under:
Appliances - Household - Major - Service and Repair
Appliances - Household - Small - Service and Repair
Babies, Moms and Kids
The early stages of childhood often require lots of special clothing and gear. Rather than buying new, it sometimes makes sense to buy used - or even rent. Companies listed here are a good place to start. So are family and friends with older children, of course. And when your children have outgrown clothing and equipment, make sure you pass along items they no longer need.
Baby and Me Consignments
2415 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19803
(302) 478-8240
Bearly Worn
13 North Broad Street
Middletown, DE 19709
(302) 378-3230
Consignment and resale of clothing, baby furniture, toys
Big Daddy's Baby and Household Furniture
2151 South DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 697-3006
Baby furniture
Debbie's Baby Stuff
302 Hunt Drive
Bear, DE 19701
(302) 832-0190
Used baby, children's and maternity clothes, furniture and equipment
Bicycles
Bicycling is growing in popularity and there are many quality bike stores throughout the state. Besides the sale of new bikes, most bicycle dealers also offer repair and refurbishment services. They often also have a full line of parts for do-it-yourself repair. Many companies will also accept trade-ins when you purchase a new bike.
Check the Yellow Pages under:
Bicycle Dealers and Repairers
Books
Most secondhand book shops will also accept used books donated by customers. Call the shops listed below to find out what their arrangements are and to see if they have specific needs. Consider donating books to community centers, nursing homes, youth groups, schools or your local library.
Book Den, Inc.
287 Christiana Road
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 322-3471
Buy and sell used books
The Book Thrift
110 North DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 322-5891
Buy and sell used books
Bookateria
70 East Cleveland Street
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 737-4933
Buy and sell used books
Books and Things
6 East Commerce Street
Smyrna, DE 19977
(302) 653-1151
Buy and sell used books
Manor Used Books
1005 N. Dupont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 322-5584
Buy and sell used books
Book Garden Gallery
Newark, DE
(302) 369-3160
Buy and sell used books
Building Materials
Construction and demolition material is one of the larger components of Delaware's waste stream. Especially when renovating an old building (predating 1940), parts such as windows, doors, molding, fireplace mantles, etc. may have value to the operations listed below. Businesses and architects involved in demolition and renovation work should consider writing "deconstruction" into job specifications so that they can minimize waste created on the job site.
There are several organizations in Delaware that handle used building materials and focus on salvage work. Additionally, the Used Building Materials Association (UBMA) can provide you with a listing of North American affiliates in search of specific types of used building materials (see Resources).
First State Community Action Agency - This diversified community development group manages a number of construction projects. They are currently in the early stages of developing a building deconstruction service for the community and will link this to more formalized reuse processing and distribution system.
First State Community Action Agency
PO Box 877
308 North Railroad Avenue
Georgetown, DE 19947
(302) 856-7761
Materials reuse internally in construction projects; developing building
materials and reuse capacity for broader scale applications
Townsend Building Supply
4324 N. Dupont Highway
Townsend, DE 19734
302-378-8846
Retail sales of used building materials
The Warehouse Project
500 Duncan Road
Claymont, DE 19703
302-477-1671
Special community service group
(Saturdays only)
The Warehouse Project - A project coordinated by the First Unitarian Church of Wilmington. The Warehouse Project has been in operation for almost eight years collecting new and used building materials and distributing them to local low-income families for use in repairing their homes. The number of people served has been steadily increasing over the years. The Warehouse is open on Saturday mornings (9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.) and is operated by volunteers. The Warehouse is located at 500 Duncan Road off Philadelphia Pike behind the Edgemoor Community Center. Coordinators say they are always looking for new volunteers as well as new donors. They stress that donated materials "have to be usable." For more information call 302-477-1671.
Carpets
Carpet is one of the more prevalent building materials that can and should be handled responsibly. As home to DuPont, Delaware is one of the carpet recycling capitals of America. There are also numerous companies throughout the state that specialize in cleaning and repair of carpet in residential and commercial applications.
Tri-State Carpet, Inc., - A member of DuPont Flooring Systems, is a thirty year old company that is leading the way in carpet recycling and reclamation throughout the United States. Tri-State's carpet reclamation program eliminates the need to landfill carpet waste through DuPont's special carpet recycling systems. Catering primarily to commercial and institutional clients, those using Tri-State's services include: Zeccola Builders; Society Office Complex; Emory Hill; DuPont Pharmaceuticals; University of Delaware. For more information,
call (302) 654-8193.
Bob's Affordable Carpet
1945 Pulaski Highway
Bear, DE 19701
(302) 836-0466
Cleaning, repairs, stain and odor removal
Carpet Craftors
1901 11th Street
Wilmington, DE
(302) 656-2884
Chem-Dry of Delaware
PO Box 3378
Wilmington, DE
(302) 654-3311
Environmentally safe carpet and upholstery cleaning
Diamond State Rug Company
3412 Kirkwood Highway
Wilmington, DE
(302) 994-2140
Patches, seams, burns, stretching, repairs
Family Carpet Cleaning
28 Castle Hills Drive
Castle Hills, DE
(302) 322-5188
Carpet and upholstery cleaning
Tri-State Carpet, Inc.
3 South Poplar Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 654-8193
Clocks and Watches
The dawn of the digital age has helped create the perception that clocks and watches are easily replaced. And as simple as digital time pieces are, their analog cousins are still aesthetically pleasing and highly practical. A number of jewelers and clock repair companies continue to do business in the state of Delaware. Several are listed here.
Allemann and Escheu Jewelers, Inc.
907 Orange Street
Wilmington, DE
(302) 655-2183
Delaware Clock Works
610 Cheltenham Road
Wilmington, DE
(302) 995-9610
Check the Yellow Pages under:
Clocks - Service and Repair
Jewelers
Watches - Service and Repair
Clothing
Thrift stores and yard sales are the most obvious example of reuse principles. The donation of used clothing to religious organizations, non-profits and other charity causes is essentially an American tradition. Shoes and clothing can also be repaired. Tailors and cobblers are in business to mend, alter and even update apparel and footwear. A number of these operations are listed in this directory. Clothing and shoes beyond repair can also be recycled through textile converters.
Bearly Worn
13 North Broad Street
Middletown, DE 19709
(302) 378-3230
Consignment and resale of clothing, baby furniture, toys
Chester Bethel Thrift Shop
2615 Foulk Road
Wilmington, DE 19810
(302) 475-3022
Church thrift shop
The Gingerbread House
381 Old Capitol Trail
Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 995-2742
Consignment shop
Goodwill Industries of Delaware and Delaware County, PA
300 East Lea Boulevard
Wilmington, DE 19802
302-761-4640
Assorted used merchandise and clothing
The Resale Boutique
818 Philadelphia Pike
Wilmington, DE 19809
(302) 764-3646
Consignment and resale for women, children and brides
Salvation Army
107 Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 654-8808
Assorted used merchandise and clothing
Check the Yellow Pages under:
Thrift Shops
Computers and Other Advanced Technologies
Almost every business today has computers and peripherals associated with their use. Recent industry statistics have also found that more than 50% of American households now own at least one computer. The incredible rate of technology change in this industry means that computer equipment becomes outdated often in less than three years. Some businesses replace computers every year. In addition, changes in telecommunications devices, audio-visual equipment, and numerous home appliances simply adds to the potential problem of waste electronics.
Reuse is a logical solution to the problem of what to do with obsolete computer and other electronic equipment. There are non-profit groups and educational institutions without significant financial resources who are now specifically looking for computer donations. Many of these groups are even set up to refurbish inoperative machines. There is also a growing market that specializes in computer resale commerce. This Guide lists a number of computer and electronics reuse and refurbishment operations in Delaware.
Computer and electronics reuse usually involve five different options:
1. Reuse
2. Resale
3. Demanufacturing
4. Recycling
5. Disposal
In the final stages of its useful life, a computer can also be demanufactured into its component parts which are then either sold for remanufacturing purposes or refined and recycled for their precious metals content.
This directory provides a listing of several Delaware outlets that either
refurbish, repair, upgrade or recycle computers. Readers are encouraged to contact these operations in order to keep potentially useful material out of the disposal stream.
Artisans Business Machine Company, Inc.
525 Philadelphia Pike
Wilmington, DE 19809
(302) 764-3213
Repair and service computers, faxes, word processors and printers
Goodwill Computer Recycling Center
300 East Lea Boulevard
Wilmington, DE 19802
(302) 761-4644
Computer reuse and repair and distribution to non-profits and schools
Magnum Electronics, Inc.
913 Horsepond Road
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 734-9250
Repair and service
P.C. Supplies, Inc.
13 Garfield Way
DE Industrial Park
Newark, DE 19713
(302) 368-4800
Provides repair and upgrade service, donates obsolete computers
to schools and charities
Check the Yellow Pages under:
Computers - Service and Repair
Security Systems
Wilsmere Enterprises, Inc.
416 McKennans Church Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 998-7067
Home and business security system upgrades and repair
Furniture and Household
Supplementing home furnishings with used products is a great way to save money. Repairing or donating items to charities are also worthwhile options. In addition, there are numerous used furniture stores throughout the state and Delaware is well-known around the country as a great state for antique shopping.
Curiosity Shop of Soroptimist International of Seaford
115 High Street
Seaford, DE 19973
(302) 629-2650
Resettlers, Inc
111 Hawley Street
Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 656-1826
Fun Times
154 Keep Out Drive
Felton, DE 19943
(302) 284-8664
Secondhand merchandise of all kinds
The Golden Door
214 East Market Street
Laurel, DE 19956
(302) 875-0472
Antique service and repair
Check the Yellow Pages under:
Furniture - Repairing and Refinishing
Office Furniture
Buying used and surplus office furniture is an easy way for small businesses to control costs. Donating used furniture is also an obvious way for corporate and institutional organizations to reduce waste.
Many office furniture companies have initiated Reuse take-back programs. They refurbish or remanufacture used furniture that they take-back and then resell to new customers or return them to their original owners, others resell the furnishings "as is". The number of these Reuse operations have increased over the last decade.
Delaware Surplus Services is also a good option for used products. For more information call, (302) 834-4550. For special auction information call, (302) 836-7640.
Machinery and Tools
Many businesses and consumers have a need for special machinery or tools for special projects. Rather than buy new equipment, it is often more practical to rent or buy used. Some of the companies listed below rent out equipment, some provide repair services.
Action Rental, Inc.
8B Will Park Ct.
Newark, DE 19703
(302) 366-0749
Rental and sales of building tools and equipment; special events equipment
H. L. Scott and Sons, Inc.
PO Box 347
Camden, DE 19934
(302) 697-1932
Repair outdoor power equipment and engines
Enterprise Flasher Company
#4 Hadco Road
Wilmington, DE 19804
(302) 999-0856
Rental of highway safety equipment and signs
Brooks Machine, Inc.
716 South West Street
Dover, DE 19904
(302) 674-5900
Repair and rebuild metal cutting band saws
Smyrna Rental and Repair, Inc.
36 S. DuPont Highway
Smyrna, DE 19977
(302) 653-2260
Equipment rental
Check the Yellow Pages under:
Rental
Medical and Health Equipment
With greater numbers of citizens approaching their senior years, the need for special health and medical equipment increases every year. The proliferation of home health care services is also contributing to this increased demand. While much of this equipment is available new, it is also possible to find secondhand and reconditioned items like wheelchairs, walkers, stair climbers, diagnostic equipment and electric beds at costs well below new prices. Some companies who repair and recondition equipment will provide warranties on used products.
Also, the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (see below) provides a host of other services related to medical and health technologies
The Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI) - A joint project of the Center for Applied Science and Engineering at the University of Delaware and duPont Hospital for Children. Besides the recycling referral pages in their newsletter and website, DATI has a wide variety of equipment available for demonstrations and short-term loan at their Assistive Technology Resource Centers (ATRC) around the state. The group also puts out a number of publications on assistive technology including a brochure on their recycling program and another brochure on selecting and obtaining assistive technology and a Guide to Funding Resources for Assistive Technology in Delaware. To contact DATI's Central Site office or the ATRC closest to you, call 1-800-870-DATI (in state only). To find them on the Internet, go to: www.asel.udel.edu/dati
Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI)
Center for Applied Science and Engineering
University of Delaware/duPont Hospital for Children
P.O. Box 269
1600 Rockland Road
Wilmington, DE 19899
(800) 870-DATI or (302) 651-6790
Among other things DATI provides a health equipment recycling
information service in their newsletter
Re-Med Services Company
P.O. Box 9124
Wilmington, DE 19809
(302) 761-9760
Buy, sell and recondition secondhand healthcare equipment
Musical Instruments
Musical instruments often need tuning or repair. Many music stores in Delaware provide these services and even rent instruments out to novices. Many of these stores will also accept used instruments as trade-in credits when you're buying something new or upgrading to a better used
instrument.
Accent Music, Inc.
5810-A Kirkwood Highway
Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 999-9939
1st-Call Music Company
2632 Kirkwood Highway
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 366-8750
Mid-Atlantic Music
1702 Kirkwood Highway
Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 995-7170
Check the Yellow Pages under:
Musical Instruments - Dealers
Musical Instruments - Repairing
Office Equipment
Numerous companies may be found in the Yellow Pages who specialize in the rental or leasing of everything from office furniture, carpeting and computers to copiers, phone systems and modular work spaces. A number of companies in Delaware also offer repair and reconditioning services for office furniture and equipment.
Besides durable goods, office equipment often creates more disposable waste products like packaging material, empty toner cartridges and shipping pallets on which loads of equipment are delivered. This section provides detailed information on office equipment disposables as well as more durable products.
Delaware Surplus Services is also a good option for used products. For more information call, (302) 834-4550. For special auction information call,
(302) 836-7640.
Check the Yellow Pages under:
Office Furniture and Equipment - Renting and Leasing
Furniture - Repairing and Refinishing
Office Furniture and Equipment - Repairing and Refinishing
Toner Cartridges - Because almost every office has computers (also many homes), they also have empty toner cartridges. Most toner cartridge manufacturers now have take-back programs for the empties. Toner cartridge reuse programs have improved dramatically over the last 15 years. What was once termed cartridge refilling is now called remanufacturing. The purchase of remanufactured cartridges reduces waste. The price of remanufactured cartridges is usually significantly less than the price for new ones.
Trade associations for toner cartridge remanufacturers can supply further information on quality control and other industry standards. (see Resources).
Toner Cartridge Remanufacturing
1. Empty cartridges are completely disassembled
2. They are then cleaned
3. Worn parts are replaced
4. New toner is added
5. They are packaged and made ready for redistribution
Check the Yellow Pages under:
Computers - Supplies and Parts
Packaging Material - From polystyrene peanuts to wood pallets, in this age of on-line and catalog ordering, homes and businesses often accumulate surplus used packaging material. It is often possible for consumers and business people to reuse this material in their own mailings. For businesses, some suppliers offer take-back programs. In addition, shipping and packaging firms in your region often accept this packaging material and will reuse it.
M&M Pallet Company
19 Davidson Lane
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 652-7728
Purchase and pick up broken wooden pallets for repair and resale
Photographic Equipment
Most camera stores provide repair services for photographic equipment. Many also offer reconditioned cameras, lenses, tripods and darkroom equipment for sale. You can also recycle disposable cameras and film canisters at many camera and photo print shops.
Cameras Etc., Inc.
4101 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19802
(302) 764-9400
Cutler Camera
403 Branmar Plaza
Wilmington, DE 19810
(302) 475-8820
Check the Yellow Pages under:
Photographic Equipment - Repairing
Photographic Equipment and Supplies - Retailers
Recreational and Sporting Equipment
When shopping for size-related sporting goods like skis, skates, ski boots, catcher's equipment, etc., check with store management about trade-in
policy for your growing children. Also find out about used equipment or rental opportunities, especially if you're not sure about how much
equipment will be used before your child needs new sizes.
Al's Sporting Goods
204-210 Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 655-1511
Repair equipment, buy and sell some used equipment
K + L Archery Supplies
2421 South DuPont Boulevard
Smyrna, DE 19977
(302) 653-2577
Repair and service archery supplies
PJ's Coastal Hunting and Tackle, Inc.
2461 South State Street
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 697-9988
Repair and service hunting gear and archery and fishing equipment
Stewart's Pro Shop
3031 New Castle Avenue
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 656-9077
Sales and repair of bowling equipment
Play It Again Sports
1237 North DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 672-9366
Buy, sell, trade used sporting goods
Water Street Sports, Inc.
1151 East Lebanon Road
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 698-1658
Sell and repair inline skates, hockey equipment and skateboards
Vacuums/Sewing Machines
Sewing machines are precision tools and need cleaning, tuning and maintaining from time to time. Make sure to read your user's manual carefully. The same is true of vacuum cleaners. Between tune-ups, keep motors oiled and free of dust and lint. For vacuums, a plugged hose, clogged filter or broken belt can seriously reduce suction. You can often handle these problems yourself. If not, a repair shop may be able to help.
Also, some stores rent sewing machines and vacuums. Many repair shops
sell rebuilt machines as well.
Check the Yellow Pages under:
Vacuum Cleaners - Household Dealers
Vacuum Cleaners - Service and Repair
Sewing Machines - Household Dealers
Sewing Machines - Service and Repair
TVs/VCRs/Stereos
Home audio and video systems are advancing at an ever increasing rate. Regardless of how old your equipment is, what is most important is quality output. There are numerous companies throughout Delaware that specialize in repairing TVs, stereos, VCRs and camcorders. In some cases you may simply need to have equipment cleaned, in others you may need more extensive repairs. Some companies are also willing to take old equipment off your hands if you are looking to upgrade to more state-of-the-art equipment. And many repair shops have secondhand equipment for sale that may not be leading edge, but is still of superior quality.
Marcozzi Television
601 North Lincoln
Wilmington, DE 19085
(302) 888-1123
TV repair and resale
Check the Yellow Pages under:
Television and Radio - Service and Repair
Video Recorders and Players - Service and Repair
Stereophonic and High Fidelity Equipment - Service and Repair
