Donating Made Easy – Big Blue Truck's History
Big Blue Truck: A leader in sustainability, recycling, and reuse for more than half a century.
Big Blue Truck™ hit the road in 1967, and it's been a leader in sustainability, recycling, reuse, and inclusion ever since. We collect clothing, shoes, and other household goods – things you often find in thrift stores. Value Village buys donations to sell in its stores, and the revenue fuels our mission to create a better world, one donation at a time.
Donate your clothing, shoes, and textiles to Big Blue Truck and Blue Bins.
When you donate to Big Blue Truck, you support Northwest Center’s education and employment programs and help create a better world.
Driving Sustainability and Inclusion
for Half a Century
Big Blue Truck™ hit the road in 1967, and Northwest Center and Value Village have been partners in sustainability, recycling, reuse, and inclusion ever since. We collect clothing, shoes, and textiles with Big Blue Trucks, Blue Bins, and Blue Totes. These donations support our employment and education programs for participants and are also available at our partner stores, Value Village. who buys the merchandise to sell in its stores.
Big Blue Truck is at the heart of our vision of a world where all people have opportunities to grow, contribute, and enjoy a fulfilling life. It was our first Social Enterprise business to both make money and have a positive impact on our world. Our portfolio of businesses now includes expert janitorial and building services, top-quality printing, staffing, and commercial laundry services. Over the last 55 years, our business has collected tens of millions of pounds of clothing and household items. The sale of those goods to Value Village has funded Northwest Center’s pioneering education and employment programs for children and adults with disabilities.
This historical photo of a Northwest Center Truck includes the original name of Northwest Center.
By the late 1980s, Northwest Center recognized the harmful impact of the word retarded and removed it from the organization’s name. Northwest Center stands against the use of the “R” word and continues to work to shift the public conversation toward the inclusion of people of all abilities – just as we have since we first opened our doors.
Learn more at Spread the Word About Inclusion.
Northwest Center: Changing the World
When Northwest Center started in 1965, there was no inclusion for people with disabilities.
Our founding mothers had two choices: put their children in an institution or keep them at home.
The belief at the time was that their kids had no potential to learn or contribute to society. They set out to prove that belief wrong – and ended up changing the landscape for ALL people with disabilities.
Thanks to The Big Blue Truck, Northwest Center was able to expand services for children and adults with disabilities.
Northwest Center: Changing the World
On a Mission of Sustainability and Disability Inclusion
Big Blue Truck’s Social Enterprise model was decades ahead of its time in the 1960s when it showed the world how a business can make money and lead social good. We have been using businesses to create social good ever since, and Northwest Center’s Big Blue Truck is still leading the way and going strong. Today, the services it funds are more important than ever.
Thank you for your continued support at a time when we need it most.
Minimize Your Stuff.
Maximize Your Impact.
Connect with us. Call 800-992-2060
or fill out the form below.
About Big Blue Truck
Big Blue Truck is a force in recycling and reuse that has supported Northwest Center's education and employment programs for more than 50 years. We accept clothing donations, shoes, textiles, and small household goods, making giving back easy. Partnering with Value Village thrift stores, we transform your donations into support for individuals with disabilities, promoting inclusion and sustainable living.
Our impact extends beyond individual donations. We offer opportunities for organizations to host donation events. Our commitment to sustainability ensures that donated items are kept out of landfills. Connect with us today and join our work to create a truly inclusive world and protect the environment.