Recycling and Surplus Center

Harvard's Surplus Center is the university's reuse hub, collecting no-longer-needed items from campus and redistributing them to the Harvard community and wider public as a key piece of our waste reduction efforts.

Exterior of a building with an entrance, a large white R, and a tree outside on a bright sunny day

Harvard's Recycling and Surplus Center makes furniture, supplies, equipment, textiles, and many other items available for free on a first-come, first-served basis.

We do not accept furniture or other donations from the public. We only collect donations from buildings on Harvard's campus.

Open Hours

We are open to the public on Thursdays from 10am to 1pm.

We are open to current Harvard-ID holders and to nonprofits on Mondays from 10am to 1pm. If you are a nonprofit and would like to visit on Mondays, please register here.

We are only closed on university holidays and on Commencement (late May).

Why it matters

Giving campus materials a second life

By redistributing usable furniture, equipment, and supplies from Harvard buildings, the Surplus Center helps support students, staff, and community organizations.

A side view of a bookshelf that says "Harvard Recycles" with someone browsing the shelves

Getting Here

We are located at 28 Travis Street. From Western Ave, we are behind the Science and Engineering Complex and swissbakers. Our entrance has a large white “R”.

We are a short walk from MBTA bus routes 86, 66, 70, and 70A, and from the Harvard Shuttle Barry’s Corner stop.

If arriving by car, there is metered parking available at 2 Hague St. Visitors cannot park at our building while shopping. If you are loading your claimed items, you may park in one of the orange cone spots in front. These are for active loading only, once you already have items claimed and ready to go. If a cone spot is not available, wait until one becomes available – do not park elsewhere in the lot.

During Your Visit

Everything is available and free, with a few exceptions! The following items are not available to take:

Items marked with an official reserved note
Caution-taped items
Wheeled equipment to move items, like flat dollies, two-wheelers, and hampers
Computers and laptops

If you find something you like, there’s no need to “check out”, just take it away! If you can't take it the day of your visit, ask a volunteer or staff member for a note to claim it. We can hold it for one week, but please note that we can’t guarantee that it will be here when you return.

We welcome families to the Surplus Center, but children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Delivery for Harvard Staff

If you are a Harvard staff member and found something at the Surplus Center to use on campus, we may be able to deliver it for a fee! Contact Harvard Recycling for more information.