I'm Josh Eldred, and I run the New Mexico Literacy Project out of my warehouse at 5445 Edith Blvd NE in Albuquerque's North Valley. I started this operation picking up books — estates, moves, classrooms, offices. Books were the original mission, and they still account for the majority of what I haul every week. But over the years, almost every pickup turned into the same conversation: "While you're here, would you also take this bag of clothing? These old laptops? The camping gear my kids outgrew?"
For a while, I said yes on a case-by-case basis. Then I realized the case-by-case approach was the wrong one. People do not declutter by category. They declutter by room, by closet, by garage bay. When someone is clearing out a space, they want one person who takes everything — not four separate donation centers with four separate hours and four separate parking lots. So I expanded the operation to match how people actually clean out their homes.
Today, I pick up books, clothing, shoes, outdoor gear, sporting goods, electronics, and household items — all free, all across the Albuquerque metro. One call or text to 505-250-3804, and I handle everything in a single trip. No sorting required on your end. No minimum quantity. No fee, ever.
What I Take, How It Works, When
- What I take
- Books in any condition, CDs, DVDs, records and tapes, clean wearable clothing and shoes, outdoor gear, sporting goods, small electronics and household items. Mix it all together; I sort at the warehouse.
- What I don’t take
- Furniture, mattresses, large appliances, broken TVs and monitors, hazardous materials, tires. Who takes those.
- How it works
- Text or call 505-250-3804 with your address and a rough description. I reply personally, set a window on my route, come with the van and do all the lifting.
- When
- Pickups are scheduled by route; the current wait is in the FAQ below. The drop box is open 24/7, and someone is at the warehouse from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week to help unload.
- Where it goes
- Hand-sorted: resale, reuse, or recycling where possible. No book goes to the landfill. Electronics that don’t work go to the certified recycler next door (how e-waste pickup works).
- Cost
- Free. I’m a for-profit business funded by resale, so donations are not tax-deductible; a written acknowledgment is available on request.
New Mexico Literacy Project is a locally owned business. Donations are not tax-deductible.
Request Your Free Pickup
Tell me what you have and where it is. I’m the only person who shows up — I do the lifting, books in any condition, no sorting. Tell me your timeline and I’ll do my best to work with it. Texts go straight to my phone at 505-250-3804.
Prefer to drop off? Open 24/7.
5445 Edith Blvd NE, Unit A · no appointment
What I Pick Up
Everything below gets picked up free. You do not need to separate categories. Mix books with clothing with electronics — I sort it all at the warehouse. If you can carry it to the door, I can take it.
Books & Media
The original core of the operation — and still the highest volume category every week. I built this business on books, and I know the market better than anyone in the metro.
- Hardcovers and paperbacks — fiction, nonfiction, reference, rare and antiquarian
- Children's books, picture books, board books, young adult
- Textbooks — all subjects, all editions, all conditions
- Cookbooks, coffee-table books, art books, photography monographs
- Magazines, journals, academic periodicals, National Geographic runs
- DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, audiobooks on disc
- Vinyl records, cassette tapes, VHS tapes, reel-to-reel
- Video games (any system) and board games
- Sheet music, hymnals, choral scores, music instruction books
- Maps, atlases, travel guides, field guides
- Any condition — worn, highlighted, water-damaged, missing covers, ex-library
Clothing & Shoes
From a single closet cleanout to a full wardrobe turnover for an entire household. Any season, any size, any style, as long as it's clean and wearable. Bag it however you want — I am not particular about packaging.
- Men's, women's, and children's clothing — all sizes, all ages
- Casual wear, workwear, business attire, formal and dressy pieces
- Coats, jackets, parkas, vests, outerwear of all kinds
- Athletic wear, activewear, yoga pants, jerseys, compression gear
- Shoes, boots, sandals, sneakers, dress shoes (pairs preferred but not required)
- Accessories — belts, scarves, hats, gloves, bags, purses, wallets
- Uniforms, scrubs, lab coats, costumes, vintage pieces
- Denim — jeans, jackets, shorts
- Clean and wearable — I sort for quality at my warehouse
Outdoor Gear
New Mexico attics and garages are full of camping, hiking, and skiing gear that is not getting used. Quality outdoor equipment holds its value well, and I know how to move it to someone who will use it.
- Tents — from pup tents to family-size car camping shelters
- Sleeping bags and sleeping pads — any temperature rating
- Backpacks — daypacks through expedition-weight internal frames
- Hiking boots, trail runners, approach shoes, camp shoes
- Climbing gear — harnesses, carabiners, cams, quickdraws (non-safety-critical items)
- Camp stoves, cookware, water filtration, camp furniture
- Trekking poles, headlamps, multi-tools, camp knives
- Fishing rods, reels, tackle boxes, waders, fly-tying gear
- Coolers — soft and hard sided, any brand, any condition
- Skis, snowboards, snowshoes, goggles, helmets (seasonal)
- Kayak and canoe accessories — paddles, PFDs, dry bags
- Binoculars, spotting scopes, GPS units, two-way radios
Sporting Goods
The equipment kids outgrow every season, the gear from the sport you stopped playing three years ago, the exercise equipment that became a clothes rack. All of it has a second life waiting.
- Bicycles and bicycle accessories — helmets, locks, pumps, lights
- Golf clubs, bags, balls, accessories, push carts
- Baseball, softball — bats, gloves, helmets, catchers' gear
- Soccer, football, basketball, volleyball gear and equipment
- Tennis and pickleball racquets, bags, balls, nets
- Exercise equipment — dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, yoga mats, foam rollers
- Hockey, lacrosse, skateboarding gear, roller blades
- Team uniforms, cleats, athletic bags, sports water bottles
- Martial arts gear — belts, gloves, pads, uniforms
- Swimming gear — goggles, fins, snorkels, kickboards
Electronics & E-Waste
Working items get refurbished and resold. Non-working electronics go to the certified computer recycling center literally next door to my warehouse on Edith Boulevard.
- Laptops and desktops — any age, any condition
- Tablets, e-readers, smartphones, smartwatches
- Printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines
- DVD/Blu-ray players, stereos, receivers, turntables, speakers
- Cables, chargers, power strips, adapters, USB hubs
- Routers, modems, switches, networking equipment
- Game consoles and controllers — all generations
- Cameras, camcorders, audio recorders, microphones
- Small kitchen electronics — blenders, coffee makers, instant pots, toasters
- Power tools with batteries, battery chargers, UPS units
TVs and computer monitors: working ones only, on a pickup or brought in 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Household Items
The miscellaneous stuff that accumulates in every home over the years. It does not have to fit a neat category for me to take it. If it is portable and it is not hazardous, it probably qualifies.
- Kitchen tools, utensils, pots, pans, bakeware, cast iron
- Dishes, glassware, mugs, flatware, serving pieces
- Small appliances — toasters, mixers, blenders, food processors
- Lamps, light fixtures, home decor, candle holders, vases
- Bedding, towels, blankets, quilts, curtains, tablecloths
- Toys, puzzles, stuffed animals, craft supplies, art supplies
- Tools — hand tools, power tools, hardware, fasteners, tool bags
- Garden tools, hoses, pots, planters, watering cans, sprinklers
- Picture frames, wall art, mirrors, prints, posters
- Storage containers, bins, organizational items, baskets, shelving
- Musical instruments — guitars, keyboards, drum accessories, sheet music stands
What I Do Not Pick Up
For safety and logistics, I cannot accept the following items. These are hard limits — I do not have the vehicle capacity, the disposal infrastructure, or the legal ability to handle them responsibly:
- Furniture — couches, tables, desks, beds, dressers, bookshelves
- Large appliances — fridges, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens
- Mattresses and box springs
- Hazardous materials — paint, chemicals, solvents, fuel, propane tanks
- Tires and automotive parts
- Construction debris and building materials
- Prescription medications
- Anything wet, moldy, or actively infested with insects or rodents
Not sure if something qualifies? Text me a photo at 505-250-3804. I am happy to take a look and let you know quickly. When in doubt, include it in your text and I will sort it out.
Free donation pickup in Albuquerque: who takes what
No single truck in town takes everything. Match what you have to the right pickup and you make one call instead of four. Other services’ terms below come from their own websites, checked October 4, 2026; they change, so confirm before you schedule.
| What you have | Who picks it up | Cost and terms |
|---|---|---|
| Books and every kind of media, clean wearable clothing, outdoor gear, small electronics (TVs and monitors only if they work), small household items | Me — New Mexico Literacy Project | Free. Albuquerque metro only, scheduled by route. Books in any condition, no sorting, I do the loading. |
| Clothing, shoes, bedding, books, toys and small household items in good working condition | Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central NM | Free home pickup in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and nearby towns, items left outside; nothing broken (donatenm.com). Tax receipt through the nonprofit. |
| Clothing, furniture, housewares, books, electronics | Goodwill of New Mexico | Limited home pickups in the Albuquerque metro, booked through its partner ReSupply for a fee that goes to ReSupply (goodwillnm.org). |
| Usable furniture, appliances, building materials | Habitat for Humanity ReStore (4900 Menaul Blvd NE) | Free pickup for qualifying large furniture, appliances and building materials, scheduled online; drop-offs 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday (habitatabqrr.org). |
| Worn-out furniture, mattresses, appliances, TVs | City of Albuquerque large item pick-up | Free for residential trash customers, collected on your next trash day; request through 311 at least 24 hours ahead (cabq.gov). Disposal, not donation. |
| A whole load of junk, hauled away as-is | Paid junk-removal companies | Paid, priced by how much of the truck the load fills (1-800-GOT-JUNK’s pricing page). Pull the books out first and I will take them free. |
Most clear-outs are a mix. A common split: I take the books, media, clothes and gear, and the furniture goes to ReStore or the city.
How It Works
Four steps. Pickups are scheduled by route (the current wait is in the FAQ below). Here is exactly what happens at each stage, so there are no surprises.
Text or Call
Text or call 505-250-3804. Tell me your address and give me a rough idea of what you have. "Three bags of clothes and two boxes of books" or "full garage, mixed everything" is plenty of detail. Photos help but are not required. I do not need an inventory — just a sense of the scope.
I Get Back to You
I text or call back as soon as I can to confirm the pickup and set a time window that works for your schedule. No phone trees. No automated systems. No customer service queue. Just me, Josh, responding directly. I read every message personally and reply as soon as I'm able.
Pickup Day
I arrive with the van, hand trucks, bins, and whatever else I need. I load everything myself — you do not lift a finger unless you want to. Most pickups take 20 to 60 minutes depending on volume and access. I'll come as soon as I can fit you into the route.
Items Sorted Responsibly
Everything goes back to my warehouse and gets hand-sorted item by item. Valuable items get resold through online and local channels. Good-condition items are passed on for reuse. The rest is recycled where possible. No book goes to the landfill.
Three things you never have to worry about:
No Sorting Required
Mix everything together. Books with shoes with cables. I sort at the warehouse.
No Minimum Quantity
Three items or three truckloads. Same free service, same personal attention.
No Fee. Ever.
Not now, not later, not for large loads. The pickup is always free.
The 24/7 Drop Box Option
If you have a smaller load — a bag of clothing, a box of books, a stack of DVDs — you may not need a scheduled pickup at all. My covered outdoor drop box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE in Albuquerque's North Valley, outside the gate, is open around the clock, every day of the year, including holidays. No appointment necessary, no interaction required, no waiting for a scheduled window.
Here is how it works: pull up to the covered box by the road at 5445 Edith, place your items in it, and leave. If the box is full or a load won't fit, text 505-250-3804, or come between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., when someone is at the warehouse to take it in. That is the entire process. I check the bin regularly, and everything that goes in gets the same three-track sort as pickup items — resale, community donation, or responsible recycling. Your items get the same care whether I pick them up from your home or you drop them at the bin.
The drop box takes books, every kind of media, and clean, wearable clothing and shoes. For electronics, gear, or household goods, text 505-250-3804 first or bring them between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. so someone can take them in. The other practical limit is size. If your load fills more than a car trunk, or if the items are too heavy to carry comfortably, a scheduled pickup is the better option. But for a quick drop after cleaning out a closet or clearing off a bookshelf, the bin is often the fastest path from "I have stuff I do not want" to "the stuff is gone."
The warehouse is on Edith Boulevard in the North Valley, near Edith and Montaño, just north of Comanche. The box sits outside the gate, closer to the road than the warehouse — covered, waterproof, turquoise, roadrunner panel, chute on top. If you are coming from the Westside or the Heights, it is a straight shot down Paseo del Norte to Edith. From Nob Hill, head north on Carlisle and cut over on Comanche.
Full details about the 24/7 drop box, including directions and photos →
Why Is All of This Free?
This is the question I hear most often, and the answer is straightforward: the items themselves fund the service.
I'm a for-profit business, not a charity. When I pick up your books, I hand-sort them at my warehouse. The ones with resale value — and you would be surprised how many do — go to eBay, Amazon, and other online marketplaces. I have sold enough donated books to know that the revenue from those sales reliably covers my gas, my time, my warehouse lease, and everything else it costs to run this operation. The same principle applies to clothing, outdoor gear, and electronics. Quality items get moved through resale channels, and that income is what makes the free pickup possible without grants, donors, or subsidies.
Not everything has resale value, and I know that going in. I am not naive about what a van full of mixed donations contains. Some of what comes in is worn out, outdated, cracked, or damaged beyond the point of selling to anyone. What can still be used is passed on for reuse; what can't is recycled where possible. Paper recycling for damaged books, so no book goes to the landfill. Textile recycling for worn-out fabric. Certified electronics recycling for dead devices. The recycling center is literally the next unit over from my warehouse, which makes the electronics side particularly efficient.
The short version: I pick up for free because it works as a business model. You get a cleared space. I get inventory to sort and sell. Books stay out of the landfill. Nobody writes a check. The system has been self-sustaining since I started, and it scales naturally — more pickups mean more inventory, which means more revenue, which means I can do more pickups.
One thing I want to be fully transparent about: the New Mexico Literacy Project is not a nonprofit. There are no grants, no tax dollars, no foundation support, and no donor subsidies. Donations to NMLP are not tax-deductible. I am funded entirely by the items you give me and my ability to resell them. That honesty is important to me. I would rather you know it upfront than discover it after the fact. If you need a tax-deductible donation receipt, I am not your guy — but if you want your items sorted by hand and handled responsibly, I am.
For a deeper look at how each category — books, clothing, gear, and electronics — gets sorted and routed, see my landfill diversion page.
Service Area
I cover all of Albuquerque and the surrounding communities within the greater metro area. Here is the detailed breakdown of where I pick up regularly: the core metro and the extension tier.
Albuquerque Neighborhoods
I pick up in every corner of the city. This is not a limited service area — if you have an Albuquerque address, I will come to you. Neighborhoods I serve regularly include:
Beyond Albuquerque
Core metro, on the same regular routes as Albuquerque proper:
- Rio Rancho — All areas including Enchanted Hills, Loma Colorado, Cabezon, and Mariposa. Rio Rancho is one of my most frequent pickup zones outside the city.
- Corrales — The full village, from Corrales Road through Loma Larga. I know the horse country well.
- Bernalillo — Town of Bernalillo and surrounding Sandoval County areas, including the Pueblo corridor.
- Placitas — Including the Placitas corridor along Highway 165 and the Anasazi Meadows area.
Extension tier, scheduled around longer runs:
- Los Lunas — Los Lunas and the surrounding Valencia County area, including Tome and El Cerro.
- Belen — South to Belen, especially for larger loads that justify the drive.
- East Mountains — Tijeras, Cedar Crest, Sandia Park, Edgewood, and the communities along the Turquoise Trail.
- Bosque Farms — Peralta and the Bosque Farms corridor along Highway 47.
- Madrid/Cerrillos, Algodones and the Cuba area — when a run heads that way.
Outside the metro I don’t run pickups — Santa Fe included. Use the free 24/7 drop box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE, or mail books in (donor-paid). For a genuinely standout collection, text photos to 505-250-3804 first; those get a case-by-case answer.
Common Pickup Scenarios
Most of the pickups I do fall into one of these situations. If yours is not listed here, that does not mean I cannot help — these are just the ones that come up most often. Text me your situation and I will tell you whether it fits.
You're Moving
Moving is already stressful enough without figuring out what to do with everything you do not want to pack. I can come before your move date and clear out books, clothing, gear, electronics, and household items in one trip. You focus on packing what matters; I handle everything you are leaving behind. Pickups are scheduled by route, so text me as soon as you know your move date and tell me your deadline; I'll say honestly whether I can work it in. Anything that can't wait fits the 24/7 drop box. If you are moving out of state and need to clear a house quickly, this service was built for exactly that situation. See my dedicated moving donation pickup page for more details.
Estate Cleanout
Losing a loved one is hard enough. Emptying their home should not make it worse. I have done hundreds of estate pickups over the years, and I understand the emotional weight of the situation. I will walk the house with you or your representative, take everything that falls within my categories — books, clothing, personal items, electronics, gear, household goods — and leave you with cleared rooms and less to worry about. I work around your timeline, even if you are handling things from out of state. I have coordinated pickups with estate attorneys, realtors, neighbors with keys, and property managers. Whatever the access situation, I can figure it out. My estate cleanout service page walks through the complete process, and the estate cleanout FAQ covers timing, the walkthrough, and what happens to everything.
Downsizing
Moving from a four-bedroom house to a two-bedroom condo means making decisions about decades of accumulated possessions. I make the physical part easy. You decide what you are keeping; I pick up everything else. Books from the shelves, clothing from the closets, gear from the garage, electronics from the spare bedroom — one call, one trip, done. Most downsizing pickups involve multiple categories mixed together, and that is exactly what this service is designed for. I have worked with seniors moving to assisted living, couples right-sizing after the kids leave, and families consolidating two households into one. The common thread is always the same: there is more stuff than space, and nobody wants to make six trips to six different places.
Seasonal Purge or Spring Cleaning
Every spring and fall, I see a surge of texts from people who have spent the weekend going through closets, garages, and spare rooms. They have bags of clothing, boxes of books, outgrown sporting goods, and a pile of dead electronics sitting in the hallway — and they do not want to make four separate trips to four separate donation centers across town. That is exactly what this service solves. One text, one pickup, everything handled in a single visit. I have done pickups where the homeowner had a pile of stuff by the front door that they had been slowly accumulating for months, waiting for a convenient moment to deal with it. This is that moment. Text me, and I'll get you on the route.
Storage Unit Cleanout
I have cleared out dozens of storage units across the metro: Public Storage, Life Storage, CubeSmart, independent facilities, you name it. The common scenario: someone has been paying monthly rent on a unit full of things they have not opened in years. They finally decide to let go, and I show up with the van and clear the unit in a single visit. If the unit is large (10x20 or bigger), I may need two trips, but the service is still free regardless of volume. I just need reasonable access, ideally a unit I can back the van up to, and advance notice if there are stairs or elevators involved. If it’s mostly books, my storage unit book cleanout page covers that case.
Garage Cleanout
The garage is where camping gear, old sporting goods, outgrown children's equipment, broken electronics, and forgotten household items accumulate year after year. I take all of it. You can literally point to one side of the garage and say "take everything on that side," and that is exactly what I will do. No sorting, no separating by category, no deciding what goes where. I load it into the van and sort it at the warehouse. I have cleared garages where families have not seen the floor in years. It is not unusual, and I do not judge. I am here to make the stuff disappear, not to assess how it got there.
Closet Overhaul
Cleaning out a closet — or two, or five — generates bags of clothing, shoes, and accessories that need to go somewhere other than back into the closet. I pick up any amount of clothing and shoes. Bag them however you want (trash bags are perfectly fine, and they are actually my preferred container for clothing because they compress well in the van). If you are doing a whole-house closet cleanout, combine the clothing with any other items you want to get rid of — books from the nightstand, electronics from the junk drawer, gear from the hall closet. I take it all in one trip. No need to schedule separate pickups for separate categories.
After a Death
When someone passes, the task of clearing their personal belongings can feel overwhelming, especially if you are grieving, if you live out of state, or if the estate is complicated. I handle these pickups with care and patience. I have walked dozens of homes where a family member has recently died, and I know how to move through the process with sensitivity. Take the items that matter to your family first: the photo albums, the jewelry, the heirlooms, the things with sentimental value. When you are ready, I will come pick up everything else: the books, the clothing, the everyday household items, the electronics, the gear that accumulated over a lifetime. There is no rush from my end, no timeline pressure. I will work on your schedule, and I am comfortable coordinating with other parties involved in the estate process. If the books are the hardest part, my guide on what to do with books after someone dies walks through it.
What Makes This Different
There are other ways to get rid of unwanted items in Albuquerque. Thrift stores, city programs, junk removal companies, and Salvation Army drop-off all exist. Here is how my service compares to each of the most common alternatives, and why people who have tried the others keep coming back to this one. For books alone, my comparison of 19 places to donate books in Albuquerque goes channel by channel.
vs. Goodwill Drop-Off
Donating at Goodwill usually means driving to a location, unloading your car, and waiting in the drop-off line; their limited home pickups are booked through partner ReSupply. If you have more than a carload, you need multiple trips. With my service, I come to you. You do not load, drive, unload, or wait. And I take books in any condition — damaged, marked up, ex-library — which a retail thrift shelf isn't built for. I can also tell you exactly what happens to everything I pick up, because I sort it myself.
vs. Salvation Army
Salvation Army pickups are scheduled through satruck.org, so check there for current Albuquerque availability; otherwise it means hauling items to a Family Store during store hours. Here, I come to you: books and media in any condition, plus electronics, outdoor gear, and clean, wearable clothing, all in one pickup scheduled by route. I also reply personally rather than routing you through a scheduling system.
vs. City Large Item Pick-Up
The City of Albuquerque large item pick-up is free for residential trash customers on request, collected on your next trash day, and it is built for furniture, mattresses, appliances and TVs. It is not set up for books, clothing, electronics, or gear. More importantly, curbside bulk pickup is a disposal service, not a sorting process. When I pick up, every item gets sorted individually for resale, reuse, or recycling where possible, and no book goes to the landfill.
vs. Junk Haulers (1-800-GOT-JUNK, etc.)
Junk haulers charge by how much of the truck your load fills, and they are in the removal business, not the sorting business. My service is free regardless of volume, and items get sorted individually at my warehouse. I know which books collectors look for, which outdoor gear gets reused, and which electronics can be refurbished and resold. A junk hauler loads it all into the same truck. For a detailed look at why this distinction matters environmentally, see my landfill diversion page.
The real difference? I am one person who sorts what you are giving away by hand. I am not a corporation with a warehouse full of unsorted bins. Every item I pick up gets sorted by someone who has handled tens of thousands of donated items and knows what belongs where. The good stuff gets a second life. The rest gets handled responsibly. And you never see a bill.
The Sorting Promise
Every item I pick up — whether it is a hardcover novel, a winter jacket, a pair of hiking boots, or a dead laptop — goes through the same three-track sorting process at my warehouse on Edith Boulevard. This is not aspirational. It is not a mission statement on a wall. It is what happens every single day, item by item, by hand. Here is what each track looks like in practice.
Track 1: Resale
Items with market value get listed on eBay, Amazon, or routed through other resale channels depending on the category. For books, this means scanning ISBNs and checking real-time market data. For clothing, it means evaluating brand, condition, and season — and vintage western wear, old Levi's, or collectible pieces get a closer look (more on my vintage clothing page). For electronics, it means testing functionality. For outdoor gear, it means checking for wear and verifying completeness. The revenue from resale is what funds the entire operation — it covers my van, my warehouse, my time, and keeps the pickup free for you.
Track 2: Community Donation
Children’s books in good condition go free to Little Free Libraries around town, where neighborhood kids can take them home at no cost.
Track 3: Responsible Recycling
Damaged books and paper products go to a commercial paper recycler, so no book goes to the landfill. Worn-out textiles go to textile recycling where possible. Dead electronics go to the certified computer recycling center in the unit literally next door to my warehouse on Edith Boulevard — I walk them over myself. Everything else is handled as responsibly as I can manage.
For a more detailed look at how this process works across all item categories and what it means for landfill diversion in Albuquerque, see sustainable decluttering in Albuquerque.
Scheduling Tips
Scheduling a pickup is simple — text or call and I will get back to you as soon as I can. But here are a few things that help pickups go as smoothly as possible for both of us.
Best Times to Text
I respond to texts throughout the day, seven days a week. If you want the fastest response, weekday mornings are ideal — I am usually sorting at the warehouse in the early hours and checking texts between runs. That said, text me any time, including late evenings and weekends. I have my phone on me, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can regardless of when you send the message. If something is time-sensitive, mention that in the text and I will do my best to prioritize it.
What to Have Ready
You do not need to do anything elaborate to prepare for a pickup. If your items are in bags, boxes, or piles on the floor, that is perfect. If they are still on shelves, in closets, in drawers, or stacked in the corner of a room, that is fine too — I will pull them myself and carry them to the van. The only thing that genuinely helps is having items reasonably accessible. If boxes are buried behind a wall of furniture in a storage unit, or if there are three cars parked between me and the garage, mention those details so I can plan accordingly and bring extra time.
Access Considerations
If you live in a gated community, apartment complex, or any property with restricted access, I will need a gate code, a guest pass, or for you to meet me at the entrance. If the pickup location has stairs — second floor apartment, basement storage, split-level house — mention it so I can plan. I have a hand truck and I have done multi-story pickups many times. Stairs are not a dealbreaker. I just like to know in advance so I can bring the right equipment and allocate enough time. If you have a large dog that needs to be secured, let me know that too.
Large Pickups
For very large loads — full estate, entire storage unit, multiple rooms of accumulated items — I may need two trips or a longer pickup window. I will tell you upfront if that is the case after you describe the scope. The service is still free, regardless of how many trips it takes. I just want you to have realistic expectations about the timeline so you can plan around it. For estate-scale cleanouts involving every room of a house, I have a dedicated estate cleanout process that covers the full scope from walkthrough to final sweep.
Urgent Pickups
If you are under a hard deadline — closing on a house sale, a moving truck on the way, landlord needs the unit cleared, property must be vacated by a certain date — mention the deadline when you text and I'll tell you straight what I can do. Pickups are scheduled by route, so the earlier you reach out, the better. If the route can't make your date, a carload is faster at the 24/7 drop box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE, which is always open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who picks up donations for free in Albuquerque?
I do: the New Mexico Literacy Project picks up books, every kind of media, clean and wearable clothing, outdoor gear, and small electronics (TVs and monitors only if they work) free across the Albuquerque metro, scheduled by route. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico runs free home pickups for clothing, books and small household items in good working condition, and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore picks up qualifying furniture, appliances and building materials free. Goodwill of New Mexico offers limited home pickups through its partner ReSupply, which charges a fee, and junk haulers charge by volume. Text 505-250-3804 to get on my route.
Which Albuquerque thrift stores pick up donations?
Big Brothers Big Sisters, a Savers partner nonprofit, picks up clothing, books, toys and small household items free in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, as long as they're in good shape and left outside for the driver. Goodwill's home pickups go through its partner ReSupply for a fee. Animal Humane's thrift shop picks up large items, the Habitat ReStore picks up qualifying furniture, appliances and building materials, and Salvation Army pickups are booked through satruck.org, so check there for current Albuquerque availability. For books and media in any condition, plus clean clothing and gear, text me at 505-250-3804.
Is the pickup service really free for everything?
Yes. Books, clothing, outdoor gear, electronics, household items — all free. I resell the valuable items through various channels, which funds the entire operation. There is never a fee, never a hidden charge, never an upcharge for large loads or difficult access. The service has been free since I started, and that will not change. The business model works because the items themselves have value. Your donation is my inventory.
Do I need to sort everything before pickup?
No sorting required at all. You can mix books, clothing, electronics, and gear in the same box, the same bag, or the same pile on the floor. I sort everything at my warehouse on Edith Boulevard — that is literally what I do all day. Put items in trash bags, grocery bags, cardboard boxes, laundry baskets — whatever you have on hand. Or leave them on shelves, in closets, and in drawers. I will pull everything myself.
Is there a minimum amount for a free pickup?
No minimum. Whether it is three bags of clothing or a full garage, I will come get it. For very small loads — a single box of books, one bag of clothes — the 24/7 drop box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE might be faster and more convenient for you, but a pickup is still free if you prefer that I come to you.
What areas do you serve?
My core metro is all of Albuquerque plus Rio Rancho, Corrales, Bernalillo and Placitas. Los Lunas, Belen and the rest of Valencia County, the East Mountains and Edgewood, Madrid/Cerrillos, Algodones and the Cuba area are extension stops, scheduled around longer runs. Outside the metro there is no pickup (Santa Fe included): the free 24/7 drop box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE takes books, media and clean, wearable clothing whenever you are in Albuquerque, or you can mail books in at your own shipping cost. For a genuinely standout collection, text photos first to 505-250-3804 and I’ll give you a case-by-case answer.
Can I drop off donations after hours?
Yes, for books, all media and clean, wearable clothing. The covered, waterproof 24/7 drop box sits outside the gate near the road at 5445 Edith Blvd NE. If it is full or your load won’t fit, text 505-250-3804 or come between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., when someone is at the warehouse to help unload. Bring electronics and gear during those hours too. Drop box details.
Does Goodwill pick up donations in Albuquerque?
Goodwill of New Mexico says it offers limited home donation pickups in the Albuquerque metro, booked through its partner ReSupply, and its pickup page says a fee applies, none of which goes to Goodwill (goodwillnm.org). I pick up free as well, for books, media, clean wearable clothing, gear and small electronics, scheduled by route.
Does the City of Albuquerque pick up large items for free?
Yes, for its residential trash customers: the city’s large item pick-up collects furniture, mattresses, appliances and televisions free on your next trash day if you request it through 311 or the city’s form at least 24 hours ahead, up to a standard pickup-truck load. It is a disposal service. For books, clothing, gear and small electronics, text me and I will sort them for reuse instead.
How fast can you pick up?
I confirm by text or call within a day. Pickups run by route; in normal weeks most happen within a few days, but as of September 27, 2026, free pickups are booked through the third week of October, so a carload is faster at the 24/7 drop box. If you are on a hard deadline — moving, estate closing — say so and I will tell you straight what I can do.
What happens to the items after pickup?
Everything gets hand-sorted at my warehouse on Edith Boulevard. Books with resale value go to eBay or Amazon, children's books go free to Little Free Libraries around town, and damaged books go to paper recycling, so no book goes to the landfill. Usable clothing, gear and electronics are resold, and working electronics get tested first.
Do you pick up furniture or large appliances?
No. I do not pick up furniture, large appliances, mattresses, or hazardous materials. My operation is built around portable items — books, clothing, gear, electronics, and household goods that I can move efficiently with hand trucks and bins. If you need furniture or appliances removed as part of an estate cleanout, I can recommend people who handle that side of things, and I'm happy to coordinate with them so the whole house gets cleared.
Can I combine different categories in one pickup?
Absolutely — and frankly, that is the whole point of this page and this service. You can have books in the living room, bags of clothing in the bedroom closet, old laptops and cables in the home office, and camping gear in the garage. I take it all in one trip. Combining categories does not change anything about the pickup — it is still free, I still do all the loading, and I still sort everything by category at the warehouse. Most of my pickups involve multiple categories.
Are donations to NMLP tax-deductible?
No. The New Mexico Literacy Project is a for-profit business. I resell donated items to fund my operations and pass children's books on free to Little Free Libraries around town, but donations to me are not tax-deductible and I don't issue tax receipts. A written acknowledgment (date and approximate quantity) is available on request. If you need a tax receipt, I am not the right option, but if you want your items sorted by hand and handled responsibly, I am.
What if I have items you do not accept?
If I arrive and find items I cannot take — broken furniture, hazardous materials, mattresses, construction debris — I will let you know politely and leave those items behind. I never charge for anything, including items I cannot accept. I take everything that falls within my categories and leave the rest. If you are not sure about a specific item before the pickup, text me a photo at 505-250-3804 and I will give you a quick yes or no.
Related Pages
Free Book Pickup
Books, media, and print materials specifically.
Clothing Donation Pickup
Closet cleanouts, wardrobe turnovers, shoes and accessories.
Outdoor Gear Donations
Camping, hiking, skiing, fishing gear and equipment.
Free E-Waste Pickup
Computers, cables, and electronics recycling.
Landfill Diversion
How each item category gets sorted and routed.
Estate Cleanout Service
Full-house cleanouts after a death or property sale.
24/7 Drop Box
Self-serve outdoor drop bin, open around the clock.
Moving Donation Pickup
Clear everything before the moving truck arrives.
Sustainable Decluttering
Declutter with every item sorted by hand.
Closet Cleanout Pickup
Whole-closet and whole-wardrobe donation service.
Estate Cleanout FAQ
How long it takes and how the walkthrough works.
Ready to Clear the Space?
One text. One trip. Everything handled. Books, clean wearable clothing, gear, electronics, household items — I pick it all up for free, anywhere in the Albuquerque metro area. Text or call me with your address and a rough description of what you have. I'll get back to you as soon as I can and fit you into the route.
What to include in your text: Your address, a rough description of what you have (e.g., "5 bags of clothes, 3 boxes of books, and some old electronics in the garage"), and any timing constraints. Photos are helpful but not required. I will respond personally as soon as I can.
5445 Edith Blvd NE, Unit A · Albuquerque, NM 87107 · Josh Eldred, owner · New Mexico Literacy Project
New Mexico Literacy Project has been a fantastic partner for Assistance League of Albuquerque. We are a thrift store that sells donated books and a percentage of these we are unable to use. We are able to recycle these through Josh which saves us hours of sorting and disposing every week. And they do not go to a landfill. Josh is reliable and professional and the free pickup has been a huge help. It saves our volunteers from hauling boxes of books. He comes by, loads up, and we get our space back. No hassle and no minimum. I highly recommend Josh and the New Mexico Literacy Project.