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An official website of Hennepin County, Minnesota
Hennepin county

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

Outdoor gear - Saturday, May 2

Saturday, May 2 from Noon to 2:30 p.m.

Rockford Road Library
6401 North 42nd Avenue
Crystal, MN 55427

Early drop-off begins on May 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. and May 2 at 11 a.m.
Final items accepted at 2 p.m.
Remaining items will be donated to the Southwest Metro Lending Library.

Accepted

  • Baby carriers (backpack style designed for hiking)
  • Backpacks for hiking/outdoor activities
  • Binoculars
  • Camp chairs
  • Camp cookware and utensils
  • Camp stoves (NO fuel)
  • Camp tables
  • Carabiners rated for climbing
  • Climbing rope
  • Coolers
  • First aid kits designed for camping/hiking
  • Fishing poles
  • Fishing line and tackle (NO items containing lead)
  • Flashlights, lanterns, and headlamps (must be free of battery corrosion)
  • Head nets, bug nets, or mosquito screens
  • Hiking poles
  • Navigation tools
  • Sleeping bags and camp pillows (NO regular bed pillows)
  • Sleeping pads
  • Tents

Not accepted

  • Broken items or items missing parts
  • Large items that cannot be carried by one person
  • Blankets
  • Clothing
  • Food
  • Guns, knives, or weapons of any kind
  • Helmets

Sports equipment - Tuesday, June 16

Tuesday, June 16 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Plymouth Community Center
14800 34th Avenue North
Plymouth, MN 55447

Early drop-off begins at 4 p.m. (no swapping)
Final items accepted at 7 p.m.
Remaining items will be donated to United Heroes League.

Accepted

  • Balls
  • Bats
  • Bikes, tire pumps, panniers/saddle bags
  • Cleats and skates
  • Flag football belts/flags
  • Gear bags
  • Golf clubs
  • Hockey sticks, pucks
  • Jerseys (MUST be washed)
  • Lacrosse sticks
  • Paddles/rackets
  • Protective gear including shin guards, knee/elbow pads, softshell helmets
  • Skateboards
  • Scooters
  • Swim caps, goggles, diving toys, kickboards
  • Training equipment including cones and flags

Not accepted

  • Broken items or items missing parts
  • Excessively worn/torn/dirty/stained items
  • Large items that cannot be carried by one person
  • Helmets for biking or contact sports
  • Pool floaties
  • Used athletic protective cups, mouthguards, lifejackets, socks, swimsuits, or undergarments

Building materials - Thursday, July 16

Thursday, July 16 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Veterans Memorial Park
6335 Portland Avenue
Richfield, MN 55423

Early drop-off begins at 4 p.m. (no swapping)
Final items accepted at 7 p.m.
Remaining items will be donated to Better Future MN and Architectural Antiques.

Accepted

  • Cabinetry
  • Countertops
  • Doors (NO hollow core)
  • Fasteners, including nails and screws (in original packaging)
  • Flooring - hardwood (new and used) and laminate (new only)
  • Hardware including handles, pulls, hinges
  • Light fixtures (no shiny brass)
  • Lumber (4 feet minimum length, denailed)
  • Sinks
  • Tile (new only)
  • Tools including electric (corded or battery-powered) and hand tools
  • Towel bars, hooks, rings, grab bars
  • Windows (unbroken only)

Not accepted

  • Broken items or items missing parts
  • Excessively worn, stained, or rusted items
  • Aerosols
  • Appliances
  • Carpet
  • Furniture
  • Roofing
  • Toilets and tubs
  • Vanity tops without cabinet

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

Early drop-off details are not available at this time. 
Remaining items will be donated to Hennepin County schools and after-school programs.

Accepted

  • 3-ring binders (1-inch only)
  • Backpacks (working zippers, no rips/tears/stains)
  • Calculators (working)
  • Erasers
  • 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

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.
  • Take as many items as you can use.
  • 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.

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