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 702-496-4214, and I handle everything in a single trip. No sorting required on your end. No minimum quantity. No fee, ever.
This page covers the full scope of what I pick up, how the process works from first text to cleared space, what happens to your items after I load them into the van, and why the entire service is free. If you already know you want to schedule a pickup, skip to the bottom of this page and text me. Otherwise, keep reading — I want you to understand exactly what you're getting before you reach out.
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. 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 in any condition
- Gently worn to heavily used — 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. Either way, they stay out of the landfill.
- Laptops, desktops, monitors — any age, any condition
- Tablets, e-readers, smartphones, smartwatches
- Printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines
- TVs — flat panel and CRT (yes, I take the old heavy ones)
- 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
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 702-496-4214. 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.
How It Works
Four steps. The whole thing usually takes less than a week from your first text to a cleared-out space. Here is exactly what happens at each stage, so there are no surprises.
Text or Call
Text or call 702-496-4214. 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 Confirm Within 24 Hours
I text or call back 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. If you text at night, I will respond in the morning. I read every message personally.
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. Usually the same week you text me, often within a few days.
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 go to community organizations and partners. The rest gets recycled through appropriate channels. Nothing avoidable hits 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 few old electronics — you may not need a scheduled pickup at all. My outdoor drop bin at 5445 Edith Blvd NE, Unit A in Albuquerque's North Valley 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: drive up to the warehouse, place your items in the bin or next to it if they do not fit inside, and leave. That is the entire process. I check the bin every day, usually first thing in the morning, 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 accepts everything I pick up: books, clothing, shoes, gear, electronics, household goods. The only practical restriction 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 located on Edith Boulevard in the North Valley, just north of Comanche. There is parking directly in front of the bin. The area is well-lit, and the bin is clearly visible from the street. 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 I pick up is worn out, outdated, stained, cracked, or damaged beyond the point of selling to anyone. Those items do not go to the landfill. They get routed to community organizations that can use them — shelters, schools, youth programs — or they go to recycling. Paper recycling for damaged books. Textile recycling for worn clothing. 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. Items 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 handled responsibly by someone who actually knows what they are worth, I am.
For a deeper look at how I keep items out of the landfill across every category — books, clothing, gear, and electronics — see my landfill diversion page.
Service Area
I cover all of Albuquerque and the surrounding communities within the greater metro area. If you are within about 40 minutes of my warehouse on Edith Boulevard, I can get to you without any special arrangements. Here is the detailed breakdown of where I pick up regularly and where I travel for larger loads.
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
I regularly pick up in these communities as well, usually on the same regional runs I do for 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.
- 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.
Further out? Text me. If the load is large enough, I will make the drive. I have picked up as far as Santa Fe, Las Cruces, and Taos for sizable collections. Distance is not a dealbreaker — volume is what makes it work.
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. Many people text me two or three days before the truck arrives, and I can usually make it work on short notice. The earlier you reach out, the easier scheduling is — but I understand that moving timelines shift, and I do my best to flex. 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 and full service overview walk through the complete process.
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 it is gone within the week.
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.
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.
What Makes This Different
There are other ways to get rid of unwanted items in Albuquerque. Thrift stores, city programs, junk removal companies, and the Salvation Army truck 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.
vs. Goodwill Drop-Off
Goodwill requires you to drive to a location, unload your car, and stand in a drop-off line — sometimes for 20 or 30 minutes on weekends. 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 accept items Goodwill will not — damaged books, old electronics, worn clothing that has seen better days. I take it all. Goodwill also does not tell you where your items end up. I can tell you exactly what happens to everything I pick up, because I sort it myself.
vs. Salvation Army Pickup
The Salvation Army does offer pickup service in Albuquerque, but they are selective about what they accept, scheduling can take weeks, and they often require items to meet specific condition standards. They typically will not take books, electronics, or e-waste. I pick up within the same week, accept any condition, and take all the categories they do not — books, media, electronics, outdoor gear, and e-waste. I also confirm personally within 24 hours, rather than routing you through a scheduling system.
vs. City Bulk Pickup
The City of Albuquerque bulk pickup runs on a fixed schedule — typically once a month per neighborhood — and it is designed for large items like furniture, appliances, and yard waste. It is not set up for books, clothing, electronics, or gear. More importantly, everything you set at the curb for bulk pickup goes straight to the landfill. That is the disposal method, not a sorting process. When I pick up, every item gets sorted individually, and the vast majority gets resold, donated to a community organization, or recycled — instead of being buried in the Cerro Colorado landfill.
vs. Junk Haulers (1-800-GOT-JUNK, etc.)
Junk haulers charge by the truckload — often hundreds per load — and most of what they collect goes straight to the landfill. 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 what a first-edition Southwest book is worth. I know which outdoor gear brands hold their value. I know which electronics can be refurbished and resold. A junk hauler throws it all in the same truck and drives it to the dump. For a detailed look at why this distinction matters environmentally, see my landfill diversion page.
The real difference? I am one person who knows the value of what you are giving away. I am not a corporation with a warehouse full of unsorted bins. Every item I pick up gets evaluated 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. 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
Items in good condition that do not have strong individual resale value get routed to organizations that can put them to direct use. Children's books go to APS Title I classrooms, UNM Children's Hospital, and Little Free Libraries across the metro. Clothing goes to shelters and community organizations that serve families in need. Outdoor gear goes to youth programs. Working electronics that are not worth listing individually go to organizations that distribute them to people who need them.
Track 3: Responsible Recycling
Items beyond resale or donation do not go to the landfill. Damaged books and paper products go to a commercial paper recycler. Worn-out textiles go to textile recycling, where they become insulation, cleaning rags, or fiber for new products. 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. Every material stream has a destination that is not the dump.
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 within 24 hours. 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 will respond within 24 hours regardless of when you send the message. If something is time-sensitive, mention that in the text and I will 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, moving truck arriving tomorrow, landlord needs the unit cleared, property must be vacated by a certain date — mention that urgency when you text. I can often accommodate tight timelines, especially if you reach out early in the day. I understand that life does not always cooperate with scheduling, and I make a genuine effort to flex when people are in a bind. The earlier you reach out, the more options we have — but even last-minute requests are worth sending. I would rather say "I can do tomorrow afternoon" than have you assume I cannot help.
Frequently Asked Questions
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?
I cover all of Albuquerque — every neighborhood, every zip code — plus Rio Rancho, Corrales, Bernalillo, Placitas, Los Lunas, Belen, Edgewood, and the East Mountains. For locations further out — Santa Fe, Socorro, Las Cruces — text me and we can discuss. If the load is sizable, I will often make the drive regardless of distance.
How fast can you pick up?
I confirm within 24 hours of your text or call. Most pickups happen the same week, often within two to three days. If you are on a tight deadline — moving day, estate closing, property sale — let me know when you text. I can usually accommodate urgent situations, especially if you reach out early in the day. I have done same-day pickups when the schedule allows.
What happens to the items after pickup?
Everything gets hand-sorted at my warehouse on Edith Boulevard. Valuable books go to eBay or Amazon. Quality clothing and name-brand gear go through resale channels. Working electronics get tested, refurbished if needed, and resold. Items that cannot be resold but are in usable condition get donated to community organizations — schools, shelters, youth programs. Damaged books go to paper recycling. Dead electronics go to the certified recycler next door to my warehouse. Worn-out textiles go to textile recycling. Nothing avoidable goes to landfill.
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. We can coordinate 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 I donate children's books and other items to community organizations, but donations to me are not tax-deductible. I am transparent about this because I believe you deserve to know before you give me your items. If you need a tax receipt, I am not the right option — but if you want your items handled responsibly and kept out of the landfill by someone who actually evaluates them individually, 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 702-496-4214 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, TVs, cables, electronics recycling.
Landfill Diversion
How every item category stays out of the dump.
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 without the landfill guilt.
Closet Cleanout Pickup
Whole-closet and whole-wardrobe donation service.
Estate Service Overview
The full estate cleanout process, step by step.
Ready to Clear the Space?
One text. One trip. Everything handled. Books, 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 confirm a pickup time within 24 hours. Most pickups happen the same week.
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 within 24 hours.
5445 Edith Blvd NE, Unit A · Albuquerque, NM 87107 · Josh Eldred, owner · New Mexico Literacy Project