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An official website of Hennepin County, Minnesota
Hennepin county

Events

Swap-it events

Bring gently used items you no longer need. Take home stuff you can use. Swap it – for free.

Swap-it events are a fun, sustainable way to reduce waste, share resources, build community, and support local reuse efforts. You don’t have to bring anything to take something home. Everyone is welcome to participate.

Upcoming events

Canceled
Building materials - Thursday, July 16

Due to air quality, the Swap-it event originally scheduled on July 16 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. is canceled.

School supplies - Saturday, August 15

Saturday, August 15 from noon to 2:30 p.m.

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church
5025 Knox Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55419

Remaining items will be donated to Hennepin County schools and after-school programs.

Early drop-off is available from August 1 through 13 at participating Hennepin County Library locations. Look for a collection container or ask a librarian where to bring your donation.

Participating Hennepin County Library locations

Accepted

  • 3-ring binders (1-inch only)
  • Backpacks (working zippers, no rips/tears/stains)
  • Calculators (working)
  • Erasers
  • Flashcards (in original box)
  • Glue, including glue sticks, hot glue/glue guns, and white school glue
  • Headphones (over-ear only, no earbuds)
  • Notebooks, including lined and composition (50+ unused pages, used pages removed)
  • Paint, including watercolor, tempera
  • Paper, including lined, graphing, construction, cardstock
  • Pencil cases/boxes
  • Pencil sharpeners
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Pocket folders (no logos)
  • Rulers, protractors, compasses
  • Scissors
  • Tape, including Scotch™, packing, masking
  • Tissue paper
  • Writing and coloring utensils, including pens, pencils, markers, crayons

Not accepted

  • Broken, excessively worn, stained, or dirty items

Holiday decor - Saturday, September 26

Saturday, September 26 from noon to 2 p.m.

Eden Prairie Community Center
16700 Valley View Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55346

Early drop off begins at 10 a.m. (no swapping)

Final items accepted at 1:30 p.m.

Accepted

  • Candles (new or mostly unused)
  • Candle holders, including menorahs and kinaras (not heavily waxed)
  • Centerpieces
  • Garland
  • Fake flowers and fruit centerpieces
  • Hanging/wall decor
  • Ornaments
  • Reusable gift wrap and bags (cloth)
  • Seasonal tableware (plates, mugs, serving dishes)
  • Single-use gift wrap, ribbons, bows
  • Small Christmas trees (tabletop, up to 3 feet tall)
  • Stockings
  • String lights (working)
  • Tablecloths (no major stains or holes)
  • Tabletop decor
  • Trick-or-treat buckets
  • Wreaths

Not accepted

  • Broken, ripped, or stained items
  • Clothing
  • Costumes
  • Large Christmas trees (anything over 3 feet)
  • Large items that cannot be carried by one person

What to expect

  • No registration required.
  • Anyone can participate, and kids are welcome.
  • You do not need to bring items to take items; everything is free.
  • Drop off items at the welcome table where volunteers will check, weigh, and sort your items.
  • Staff and volunteers are unable to help with unloading or loading items in attendee vehicles.
  • Be kind. Take what you can use, leave items for other swappers.
  • Some items brought into the swap may be held and set out later, so that there are items available throughout the event.

What to bring

  • Any items you wish to leave for others at the swap. Items should be clean and in good working condition.
  • A bag or box to carry home your new-to-you items.

Volunteer

If you or a friend are interested in helping out, fill out this volunteer interest form, email swapit@reusemn.org, or call 612-314-6283.

Program funding

Swap-it events are funded by a statewide waste reduction and reuse grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The contracted event producer is Reuse Minnesota.

Contact

Kirsten Wahlberg