Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Can older equipment, or electronics parts be listed for recycling on Throwplace?
• How can I delete my Throw listing if it is no longer available?
• How will I know if someone requests something I've listed on Throwplace?
• What is the difference between Throwplace.com® and other recycling and charity sites?
• Can the international community participate in Throwing and Taking?
• Can I give something to a specific Charity through Throwplace.com®?
• How can I be sure that what I am donating really goes to someone who needs it?
• Can I deduct donations to Charities?
• What if I want to make an anonymous donation?
• What if the Charity I donate to does not send me a receipt?
• What are the Advertising rates?
• Is shipping deductible?
• Are donations to recycling Businesses deductible?
• Why are there subscription fees in order to take from the Business/Individual section, when taking from the Charity and Up-For-Grabs sections is free?
• What if I don't care who takes my stuff and just want to unload it in a big hurry?
• Can food be listed on Throwplace.com®?
• Does Throwplace.com® have a warehouse?
• How do I Throw (list) items on Throwplace.com®?
• Listing Tips
• How do I Take (get) items from Throwplace.com®?
• Fees to Take
• How do I post a Classified Listing?
• What are the fees for Classified Listings?
• What should NOT be listed on Throwplace.com®?
• Tax deduction links and information

Can older equipment, or electronics parts be listed for recycling on Throwplace?

Yes, before you throw anything away, list it on Throwplace. People have claimed all sorts of goods listed on the site for recycling, refurbishing and reuse, including parts for recycling. You may also consult the Recycling Directory to find recyclers of specific goods, or Green Links for regional recycling and reuse centers.

How can I delete my Throw listing if it is no longer available?

Sign in, go to My Account, My Throws. You will see the option to delete next to your listing.

How will I know if someone requests something I've listed on Throwplace?

Throwplace will send a message to you letting you know that you have a Take Request. Go to My Account, My Throws and click on the item to view the request(s). If a Charity has requested the item, the Charity name, city and zip code will appear in the Take Request. For all other requests only the city and zip code will be visible in the request, along with their message to you, in the event that you may want to calculate shipping charges before accepting the recipient.

What is the difference between Throwplace.com® and other recycling and charity sites?

Throwplace.com does NOT take possession of any listed items--it allows users to list items they wish to give away, and to request items listed on the site. At Throwplace.com® you can donate items directly to Charities, who will then give them to people who need them, or use the items for their organizations. Throwplace.com® is not an auction; it does not collect money for Charities, it does not sell merchandise and give the proceeds to Charities, nor does it match donations to requests for needed items. Instead, it facilitates the exchange and reuse of goods by allowing anyone to list donations in four main sections: U.S. Charity, International Charity, Business and Up-For-Grabs. Charities, Business and Individuals can browse active listings on the site at any time, and make requests for things they need. Throwplace.com® offers an efficient, convenient and structured process for giving away surplus inventory and excess possessions. Listings are anonymous until the Thrower selects a recipient, at which time the site automatically exchanges the email addresses of Thrower and Taker.

Charities and Nonprofits registered with Throwplace.com® may claim items listed in the Charity section by sending a Take Request through the site.  When they are selected by the Thrower and receive a donation, they are obliged to return a receipt to the donor.  Throwplace.com® verifies the status of all U.S. Charities registering with the site, and only approves those who have been recognized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as Charities able to return a receipt that  is tax deductible for the donor.

Registered Businesses and Individuals may take items from the Business section for reuse, resale, recycling or refurbishing. Anyone registered with Throwplace.com® may take from the Up-For-Grabs section. It is up to the donor to select a recipient and to arrange pick up or delivery with them. Please note that needy individuals may make Take requests from the Business and Up-For-Grabs sections. They will not, however, be able to return a receipt to the donor for tax deduction purposes. But we can all feel gratified that we have helped others, and have contributed our best efforts to keeping our planet healthy, beautiful and sustainable by reusing as much as possible and not adding to the already overflowing landfills.

Can the international community participate in Throwing and Taking?

International users may Throw into all sections and Take from the Up-For-Grabs and Business/Individual sections when registered as Individuals and Businesses. The Thrower's country will be visible in the "Location" column when browsing, and the city, state and country will be included in the Throw listing as appropriate.

International nonprofits and charities may register as International Charities and Take from this section as well as from the Up-For-Grabs section. However, at this time Throwplace.com® only has the ability to verify the status of U.S. nonprofits and charities. We will not be able to verify the status of registered International Charity users. As the tax laws vary greatly from country to country, we recommend that you consult with your tax advisor or check other references regarding international tax deduction issues and nonprofit status if this is a concern to you.

U.S. nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status may register as International Charities too, since they will not be able to register as a U.S. Charity. Taking from the U.S. Charity section is restricted to U.S. nonprofits verified by Throwplace with the IRS as having 501(c)(3) status. Users who donate to International Charity members may not be able to deduct the value of their donation on tax returns. However, these groups are working hard for many people and causes and are very much in need of donations.

International Charity registrants may Throw into all sections, and make Take requests from the International Charity and Up-For-Grabs sections. Because we have an international user base, references to "donor will pay for shipping" will normally apply to domestic shipping only, unless the Thrower specifies in their listing that they are willing to pay for international shipping to recipients.

Can I give something to a specific charity through Throwplace.com®?

If you want to give something to a specific Charity, we suggest that you contact that Charity directly. You can list items to give to Charity on Throwplace.com®, but any Charity registered with the site will be able to send a request to claim your merchandise. You can review an unlimited number of requests for your donation and select a recipient Charity from those message requests. In order to facilitate the exchange of merchandise, you may receive periodic electronic reminders to select a recipient from those submitted. 

How can I be sure that what I am donating really goes to someone who needs it?

Throwplace.com® makes every effort to verify the status of the Charities registering with the site. We ask that U.S. Charities who register with Throwplace.com® are recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3), government agency or other instrumentality accepting donations for a public purpose (see  www.irs.gov), by asking for their EIN number during registration. We only use this supplied information to verify their status with the IRS during the registration process. Charities registered with the site are obliged to return a written receipt for tax deduction purposes to the Thrower upon receipt of the donation.

Can I deduct donations to charities?

Yes, you can deduct the Fair Market Value (FMV) of property donated to IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) US Charities; government agencies or instrumentalities provided they use the donation for a public purpose; and churches. Only nonprofits meeting this criteria are approved as U.S. Charity users able to Take from the U.S. Charity section of Throwplace.com®. You must save the receipt which will be provided to you by the Charity receiving your donation. If you are filing a U.S. tax return, you may NOT deduct donations to foreign countries. (For more information about FMV and tax deductibility rules, see the IRS.gov site at www.irs.gov)

What if I want to make an anonymous donation?

You may make an anonymous donation. Takers will only see your country, city, state and zip code in the Take Request unless it is a Charity request. When you accept a taker, they will be sent your email address. So use an email address that does not identify you if you wish to remain anonymous. You may ship your items using a PO box or Post Office address.

What if the charity I donate to does not send me a receipt?

Report any Charity who does not send you a receipt within 10 days of their acquisition of your donation to Throwplace.com®. We will remove Charities who do not send receipts to donors from the list of registered users.

What are the advertising rates?

There are various options for Advertising with Throwplace.com®: Please contact us to obtain more information.
All prices quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change without notice.

Is shipping deductible?

Yes, if you are donating to a 501(c)(3) Charity, the IRS says you may also deduct the shipping fees and/or mileage costs if delivering. As tax rules and mileage allowances are complex and always changing, be sure to consult with your tax advisor or www.irs.gov.

Are donations to recycling businesses deductible?

Unfortunately, currently they are not unless the Business is registered as a 501(c)(3). However, you can feel gratified that you are not adding to the overflowing trash on the planet by contributing your goods to a Business that will refurbish and/or recycle them, or to people who will reuse what you no longer need.

Why are there subscription fees in order to take from the Business/Individual section, when taking from the Charity and Up-For-Grabs sections is free?

As we have all learned from the failure of many dot coms, Internet sites are expensive to build and to operate. In order to enable Charities to take items from Throwplace.com® without fees, for everyone to register and list items free of charge, and for everyone to take from the Up For Grabs section without charge, Throwplace.com® is currently imposing moderate monthly subscription fees to registered businesses and individuals who want to Take from the Business/Individual section. WIth a subscription business subscribers will receive a listing in the Throwplace Business Directory including their name and address, contact information, description of the business and URL with link.

We encourage users of the site to support Businesses who advertise and pay subscription fees to Throwplace.com®, so be sure to visit the Business Directory to look for environmentally responsible and community-minded businesses in your area.

Charities and Nonprofits may take 5 listings every month without charge. To encourage fair distribution of goods to Charities and Nonprofits, Throwplace.com® charges a nominal fee for each listing taken above and beyond the 5 free takes per month.

We are trying to make Throwplace.com® a sustainable enterprise—one that will be here for years to come.

What if I don't care who takes my stuff and just want to unload it in a big hurry?

Up For Grabs may be the section to list donations that require quick pick-up as everyone has access to that section. 

Can food be listed on Throwplace.com®?

You may list canned or sealed, unopened, packaged food items on Throwplace.com®. Other organizations specialize in the donation of food, including left-over fresh food. In all cases, one should adhere to Federal and State regulations in the exchange of any items in question.

Does Throwplace.com® have a warehouse?

Throwplace.com® facilitates the exchange of merchandise. Throwplace.com® never takes possession of, or stores, any items listed.

How do I throw (list) items on Throwplace.com®?

1. Register with Throwplace.com® as a Charity, Business or Individual.
2. Go to Throw and fill out a listing form. You will be able to designate that your donation be listed in the US Charity, International Charity, Business/Individual or Up-For-Grabs section. You have the option as the donor of paying for the shipping/delivery, asking the recipient to pay for the shipping or to pick up your donation. These options will be on the listing form, and your selection will appear in the listing published on the site. Your email address and personal information will NOT appear in the listing on the site. The location of the listing, however, will be published as many Throws request pick-up by Takers.
3. When persons wanting to claim your listing submit a Take Request, it will be forwarded to your Throwplace.com® account (My Account).  You will also receive an email from the site, notifying you that you have an active Take Request.
4. Read the requests in My Account, and select your preferred recipient by clicking the Accept Recipient button on selected Request Form.  Once you accept a recipient, the site will automatically send your email address to the accepted Taker, and the Taker's email address to you.  Arrange for shipment or pickup with the selected recipient.
5. If the recipient is registered as a Charity, remember to provide your address so that the Charity may send you a receipt when the merchandise is received. The receipt can be submitted with your tax returns.
6. When you select a recipient your item listing will indicate to site users that the item is no longer available, and your Throw will be taken off of the active Throw list on the site. You may monitor all of your donation activity in the My Throws section of My Account.
7. Report any taker who does not follow through by picking up the donation or any Charity who does not return a receipt to you. They will be taken off the Throwplace.com® registered user or Charity list.

THERE ARE NO FEES FOR THROWING--listing items is free for everyone!

Listing Tips

Include details in your listings

If you are listing computers, be sure to designate PC or Mac, operating system, if a monitor and keyboard are included, etc. If you are listing clothing, for instance, be sure to include sizes and gender. You may list clothing for children, or for women or men, or for teenage boys or girls. It is important to include these details in your listing description. Include a photo whenever you can. Throws which have a photo get much quicker response.

Single vs. multiple item listings

• You may list a single item or include multiple items in one listing.
• Think about the use to the Taker, how you want to distribute your donations (do you want all items to go to one place, to be mailed, to be picked-up) and about the way you will describe your donation.

Examples:
A box of toiletries—like shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and toothpaste—would be easy to describe and find as a "Toiletries" listing in the Bed and Bath category.

Old computer equipment has a better chance of being claimed by a recycler if it is listed in loads. So if you have a lot of outdated equipment, list it together in the Business/Individual section.

COD Shipping

To save the COD surcharge when asking Recipient to pay for shipping charges, you might ask if the Recipient has a UPS or Federal Express account number, so that you can bill shipping to recipient. This will save the COD surcharge. If mailing with the Post Office, they will bill the shipper for postage, but there is also a surcharge. Priority Mail is an economical way to go, as there is one rate for up to a pound package and boxes are free from the Post Office. You might ask the Recipient to mail the stamps to you again to save the COD surcharge.

How do I take (get) items from Throwplace.com®?

1. Register with Throwplace.com® as a Charity, Business or Individual.
2. Browse items in the Charity, Business/Individual or Up-For-Grabs section, as appropriate.
3. A shopping cart icon will appear next to items you are eligble to take, depending on your registration category (Individual, Business or Charity). When you click the shopping cart of a listing you wish to claim, you will be prompted to fill out a Take form. As donors may be selecting the recipient they feel is most worthy—particularly in the Charity section—be sure to include needs of the person, family or group who will be receiving their donation in your request. City, state, country and zip will be visible in all Take Requests so that shipping charges may be calculated before accepting a recipient. Charity names will also appear in Take Requests so that you can go to the Charity DIrectory to learn more about the organization before making a decision. Your e-mail claiming the goods is like a contract. Make sure you are willing to pick up the merchandise or pay for the shipping of the donation, if that is what is required.
4. If you are accepted as a Taker, the site will send you an email to let you know you have been chosen as the recipient, along with the Thrower's email address. Your email address will be sent to the Thrower. Arrange for shipping or pick-up.
5. If you are a Charity, print out the listing form of goods you have just claimed. When you receive the merchandise, use the printout to verify or calculate the Fair Market Value (FMV); then sign, date and return the form to the donor as a receipt. You may also make a receipt on your letterhead and return it to the donor. Please include your EIN and Charity name on the receipt. Charities are required to furnish a receipt for tax deduction purposes to donors. Charities who do not promptly furnish a receipt to the donor will be denied user privileges. 
6. Report any donor who does not follow through by forwarding the promised donation. They will be taken off the Throwplace.com® registered user list and published in the Throwplace.com® Report section.

Fees to Take

Taking from the Charity Section is free

Registered Charities and Non-profits do not pay fees to Take up to 5 listings per month from the Charity section. They are required, however, to furnish a receipt to donors and to pay for shipping or delivery of items if that is requested by the donor. If nonprofits wish to take more than 5 listings in a month, there will be a nominal charge of $5 for each Take above and beyond the 5 free Takes per month. This helps to equalize the fair distribution of donated goods.

Businesses and Individuals may NOT take items from this section.

Fees to take from the Business Section

We encourage users to subscribe to Throwplace.com®--the fees are very minimal! Subscriptions are one of the few sources of revenue for the site, which helps offset the operating costs. Without subscribers Throwplace would not be able to offer free registration and usage for all. Only taking from the Business/Individual section requires a subscription. (See the Overview section for current subscription rates for Individuals and Businesses.) Registered Charities may NOT take items from this section. Nonprofit personnel, however, may Take from the Business section if they are registered as Individuals.

Everyone may take from the Up-For-Grabs Section without charge

Any registered Charity, Business or Individual may take items from the Up-For-Grabs section without a fee.

How do I post a classified listing?

1. Register with Throwplace.com® as a Charity, Business or Individual.
2. Click on the place a Classified Listing here link.
3. Fill out forms and submit.

In the Throwplace.com®  Classifieds section any registered user may place a classified ad for a nominal fee. Examples of types of ads that Throwplace.com® users might find interesting: 

• Collectors looking for specific items;
• Recyclers and refurbishers looking for certain equipment, metals or materials;
• Users who want to sell something, rather than donate;
• Employment announcements in the environmental and/or philanthropic areas;
• Hobby enthusiasts looking for materials for their arts and crafts projects.

What are the fees for classified listings?

Please refer to the Overview section for a complete list of current listing fees.

What should not be listed on Throwplace.com®?

Please do not list pornographic, offensive, unsanitary or vulgar items, fresh foods, weapons, opened or unsealed items such as vitamins, toiletries, food or cleaning fluids. See the Throwplace Terms of Use and Conduct Code for further information.

Throwplace.com® reserves the right to de-list or refuse any items which are not appropriate and to deny access to users who list or attempt to list inappropriate Throws or messages.

Tax Deduction Links and information

Always check with the IRS or your accountant for the most updated information on tax deductions. Here is a link to the IRS site:

www.irs.gov

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