Materials Exchange Guidelines The goal of the Materials Exchange program is to reduce the amount of reusable business items going to landfills while assisting Minnesota businesses and organizations in obtaining free or low cost items and saving money. The Materials Exchange program is designed for materials that would otherwise be discarded. Below are examples of acceptable listings. All acceptable listings will appear on the Web site. Acceptable Listings Business-related items in good, usable condition (e.g., business overruns, seconds, outdated inventory, empty containers and office furniture). Large and/or recurring quantities of materials that can no longer be used by the lister but may be able to be used by others (e.g., chemicals, machinery and industrial by-products). Large and/or recurring quantities of recyclable scrap materials for which recycling markets are not yet established (e.g., some types of paper and plastics). These materials may be useable as feedstock for manufacturers, recyclers or brokers. To find recyclers, contact your local city/county recycling coordinator, or check the yellow pages under Recycling Services. Wish list items or "wanted" listings submitted by businesses, organizations or schools. Fees: Items may be sold for a nominal fee. Fees must be specified and be 20 percent or less than the value of an item. An item's value must be based on its current condition. Top 10 Most Frequent Materials Exchanged Wood pallets Plastic drums Office furniture Packing peanuts Plastic buckets 3-ring binders Cardboard boxes Office supplies Bubble wrap Photocopiers/printers Unacceptable Listings For unacceptable listings, the Materials Exchange program will try to redirect listers to more appropriate venues. Selling used or new items at market value (e.g., appliances, equipment and furniture). Those items with established resale markets are better publicized with local advertising options. An item being sold for more than 20 percent of its value. Household items, motor vehicles, live animals, firearms, plants, real estate. Recyclable, scrap materials with established recycling markets (e.g., cardboard and white office paper). Outlets for materials can be found by your local city/county recycling coordinator, or checking the yellow pages under Recycling Services. Exceptions include materials suitable in form and quantity for reuse in arts and education applications. Businesses interested in listing their service. Individuals may not submit "wanted" listings. Lister Responsibilities Please respond to all inquiries, even if only to say that you are not interested or that an item is no longer available. Materials Exchange will only work if listers are responsive. If complaints are received that you are not returning phone calls or e-mails and the problem is not resolved in a timely manner, your listing(s) will be removed. Listers should notify Materials Exchange if their listing is no longer valid. Materials Exchange will contact listers periodically to verify that listings are still current. Failure to respond will result in the listing being removed. Please report any successful exchanges by completing the Report a Success form, sending an e-mail or calling 612.624.1300 or 800.247.0015. You may also request removal of your listing if a match is made. This feedback is critical to justify the continuation of this program. Right to Reject Materials Exchange reserves the right to reject any listing deemed inappropriate. The lister may be contacted by Materials Exchange if clarification is needed prior to approving a posting. Disclaimer