Lifecycle Building Center is a nonprofit in Southwest Atlanta that keeps used building materials out of the landfill. It sells reclaimed materials to the public at 50 to 85 percent below new prices and gives free materials to nonprofits, schools, community groups and houses of faith. It also runs a paid job training program in deconstruction and offers free classes in home performance and carpentry.
Live Thrive is an Atlanta nonprofit that runs two drop-off centers, called CHaRM, in Atlanta and Decatur. People and businesses can bring household chemicals, electronics and other items that curbside recycling will not take. They also teach recycling classes, give tours, and take volunteers.
This is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Smyrna. It sells donated new and gently used furniture, appliances, building materials, and other home items for about 40-60% of retail price. Money from sales helps Habitat build and repair homes for families in need. You can also donate items or volunteer.
Piedmont Park Conservancy is a nonprofit that works with the City of Atlanta to care for Piedmont Park. It runs classes, camps, walks, a Saturday green market and volunteer days. It also rents event spaces in the park.
Root Local is an Atlanta group that helps people take part in caring for the environment. It runs EMMA, a free online map of businesses and groups that have been reviewed for green practices. It also holds community events and brings neighbors and partner groups together for volunteer work.
Lost-n-Found Youth is an Atlanta nonprofit that helps LGBTQ+ young people ages 18 to 25 who are homeless or in need. It runs a 24/7 support line, a drop-in center with meals, showers and laundry, emergency and transitional housing, street outreach, and a thrift store.
Inspiredu is an Atlanta nonprofit that helps families and adults in Georgia learn computer and internet skills. It runs workshops for families and adults, a youth STEM careers program, and open lab hours at its Atlanta training center. Families who attend a Family Learning workshop can get a free laptop.
The Atlanta Habitat ReStore is a store run by Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. It sells donated home goods and building materials to the public, and the money helps build and repair homes. There are two stores, one on Chester Ave in Atlanta and one in College Park. You can also shop, donate or volunteer there.
This is a Goodwill thrift store and donation center in the West End of Atlanta. You can shop for secondhand goods or drop off used clothes, books, furniture, computers, and household items. Goodwill says store sales and donations help pay for its job programs.
Ronald McDonald House Atlanta is a nonprofit that helps families with sick or injured children stay close to their child during medical care. It runs two Houses in the Atlanta area, one near Arthur M. Blank Hospital and one near Scottish Rite Hospital. People can also give time by volunteering, cooking meals, or helping from off-site.
This is the South DeKalb Career Center, run by Goodwill of North Georgia in Decatur. It helps people find work with job listings, computers, resume and cover letter help, and career coaching. The same site also has a donation drop-off.
Black Sustainability, Inc. is an Atlanta group that runs a worldwide network of Black people who work in sustainability, own green businesses, or care about the planet. Members join online groups, share ideas and find projects and contracts. The group also runs hands-on training, such as a 4-week solar installation course in metro Atlanta with GRID Alternatives.
PCs for People is a nonprofit that helps people with low income get affordable computers and internet. It also takes used electronics for recycling, wipes the data, and refurbishes computers for people in need. The Georgia site in Lithia Springs is open for recycling drop-offs on weekdays.
Keep North Fulton Beautiful is a nonprofit that works with the communities of Sandy Springs and Johns Creek. It runs a recycling drop-off center on Morgan Falls Road. It also offers volunteer jobs, court-ordered community service, and litter cleanup programs.
AgLanta is the City of Atlanta's urban agriculture program. Its website helps people learn about growing food in the city, find fresh food, and apply to use vacant city lots for gardens or farms. It also runs a food waste program, a city food forest, and volunteer garden days.
Goodr is an Atlanta-based group that fights hunger and food waste. It picks up extra food from businesses and gives it to local nonprofits. Goodr also works with sponsors to run free pop-up grocery markets, grocery stores, grocery and meal delivery, and student snack packs.
Georgia Interfaith Power & Light helps faith communities across Georgia work on climate change, environmental justice, and community resilience. It coaches Green Teams, offers energy, solar, water, and waste assessments or audits, and helps congregations with native gardens, invasive plant removal, and tree planting. It also speaks up on clean energy and water policy and runs nonpartisan get-out-the-vote text banks.
The South Fulton ReStore is one of two stores run by Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. It is open to the public, and you can shop or donate home goods and building materials there. What the store sells helps pay for the group's work on affordable homeownership.
FODAC gives refurbished wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and other home medical equipment to children and adults with disabilities. New clients pay a one-time $25 sign-up fee, and the equipment is free. FODAC also runs a thrift store, repairs equipment by appointment, and offers low-interest loans for assistive technology through CreditAble.
Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful is a volunteer council set up by Rockdale County to cut litter and make the area nicer. It runs cleanups like the Great American Cleanup and Rivers Alive, an Adopt-A-Mile litter program, and a Beautiful Business award. Residents, groups and businesses can sign up to help.
