Donating your unwanted items can feel like the right thing to do, but unfortunately, not everything belongs in the donation pile. While it is true that charity shops and organisations welcome many kinds of goods, there are certain items they simply can’t accept.
It’s important to know the difference between what’s actually helpful and what’s better off being recycled or thrown away. In this guide, we’ll walk you through 18 items that you should skip donating and explain why disposing of them responsibly is the better choice.
Stained or Torn Clothing
It can be tempting to throw that stained shirt into the donation bin, but charity shops rely on selling items in good, usable condition. Therefore, damaged clothing is unlikely to sell and there’s just no point in donating it. Stains, tears, and heavy wear make clothes unsellable, and charities will have to spend time disposing of such items at their own cost.
While it might feel wasteful to throw such items away, there are better options than donation. Many councils and retailers offer textile recycling schemes, turning old clothes into insulation or industrial materials. Before donating, consider if you would buy the item in its current state. If not, it’s time to either recycle it or dispose of it responsibly.
Broken Electronics
Non-functional electronics can’t be sold in charity shops, and most organisations lack the resources to repair them. Donating broken items only creates additional waste, as they’ll likely be discarded. Faulty electronics can also pose safety risks if sold unintentionally. Instead, recycle them through designated e-waste facilities, which are often provided by local councils or tech retailers.
Expired Medication
This might seem like an obvious one, but you’d be surprised at just how many people try to donate their outdated or unused medication. It’s just not safe to donate under any circumstances. Pharmacies and health charities are legally prohibited from redistributing expired drugs, as this poses serious health risks. Return unwanted medication to a pharmacy, where it can be disposed of safely.
Many pharmacies have take-back schemes specifically for this purpose.
Expired Food
Would you eat expired food? Probably not. Donating expired food to a food bank or charity is not only unhelpful but also potentially dangerous.
Most organisations have strict guidelines to ensure the food they distribute is safe to eat and expired items can carry health risks, even if they appear fine, and will likely end up being discarded.
To avoid waste, check the expiration dates on your pantry items regularly and donate before they expire. For food that has passed its date, dispose of it properly through your council’s food waste collection. This helps prevent unnecessary harm while supporting charities with items they can actually use.
Damaged Furniture
Broken furniture is a burden for charities, as they can’t sell or repair items that are damaged. Structural issues, missing parts, or excessive wear make furniture unsafe or unattractive to buyers. In fact, donating such items often costs charities money to dispose of, and this takes resources away from their primary mission.
Instead, try upcycling or restoring the furniture yourself or check for local recycling programmes that handle bulky waste. Some councils offer free or low-cost collection services for old furniture, ensuring it is properly recycled or repurposed without adding to landfill waste.
Single Shoes or Mismatched Pairs
Shoes donated to charity should always come in pairs. Mismatched or single shoes are obviously impractical to sell and often end up being thrown away. You might think it’s better to donate than discard, but these items become a cost for the charity to handle. If your shoes are in good condition but missing their pair, then consider donating to specialised recycling schemes. Many shoe retailers and sports brands accept old footwear for repurposing into playground surfaces or new materials. Properly pairing and inspecting shoes before donating ensures they are truly useful for others.
Old or Broken Toys
Many parents will have old toys lying around, but you should never donate toys that are damaged, missing parts, or unsafe for children. These can create more problems than benefits.
Charity shops cannot sell broken toys due to safety regulations, and these items are often discarded. Toys with sharp edges, loose parts, or electronic malfunctions could pose choking or injury risks.
What to do instead? Recycle plastic or electronic toys through local council schemes or repair them before donating. For toys in excellent condition, ensure they are cleaned and complete before passing them on.
Personal Care Items
Partially used personal care items, such as shampoos, lotions, and makeup, are unhygienic to donate. Charities cannot redistribute opened products due to health and safety concerns, making them unsuitable for donation. If the item is unopened and within its expiry date, check with women’s shelters or food banks, as they may accept hygiene products. Otherwise, dispose of used items through your household waste system.
Broken Kitchenware
Chipped plates, cracked mugs, and broken utensils are unhelpful donations. Most charity shops won’t sell damaged kitchenware due to safety concerns, leaving them with disposal costs. Items like these are better suited for recycling. Check if your council accepts ceramics or metals in their recycling programme.
Alternatively, upcycle old kitchenware into decorative pieces for your home or garden. Functional and safe items can still make a difference when donated, so always inspect your kitchenware before deciding whether to donate or discard.
Mattresses and Pillows
Due to hygiene and safety regulations, most charities will not accept used mattresses or pillows. These items can harbour allergens, pests, or bacteria that make them unsuitable for resale or donation. Even if they appear clean, they are challenging to sanitise thoroughly.
A better idea is to give the old pillows and mattresses to a dog charity, but they don’t always accept them. So, check with your local council for bulky waste collection or mattress recycling services. Some companies also offer take-back programmes when you purchase a new mattress.
Outdated Baby Gear
Baby gear, such as car seats, prams, and cribs, must meet strict safety standards. Older items may not comply with current regulations, making them unsafe for use. Many charities cannot accept these donations due to liability concerns. If the item is in good condition, check with local parents’ groups or baby banks that might refurbish it.
Otherwise, recycle it if possible or dispose of it responsibly. Keeping baby gear up to date is crucial for safety, and donating outdated items often creates more trouble than good.
Worn-Out Bedding
Charities won’t accept bedding that is heavily worn, stained, or torn. Items like duvets and blankets may seem like good donations, but hygiene concerns make them challenging to resell or redistribute. Before throwing them away, consider repurposing old bedding as cleaning rags, DIY projects, or pet bedding.
Just like mattresses and pillows, animal shelters often welcome clean, used bedding for their animals. If reuse isn’t possible, check for textile recycling options in your area to prevent adding to landfill waste.
Plastic Containers Without Lids
This one makes sense, but many people still donate plastic containers without lids. These containers are neither functional nor desirable. Charity shops cannot sell incomplete sets, and mismatched items often go unsold. Instead of donating, recycle plastic containers through your local council’s recycling programme if possible. If they’re still usable, consider repurposing them for storage or organising around the house. Only donate complete sets in good condition to ensure they’re useful and appealing to someone else.
Old Magazines and Newspapers
Magazines and newspapers are not practical for donation. Charity shops struggle to sell them, as most people prefer current issues or digital formats. These items take up space and are often discarded by charities. Instead, recycle them through your household recycling service.
Alternatively, old newspapers can be repurposed as wrapping paper, packing material, or for gardening projects like mulching.
Large Appliances
Many of us replace our bulky appliances before they’re even broken, but don’t think you can just donate them to charity. Appliances like washing machines, fridges, and dishwashers are usually more trouble than they’re worth for charities, as transporting and storing large items is challenging. Many councils offer collection services for bulky waste, ensuring proper recycling. Only donate smaller, working appliances that charities can easily manage and distribute.
Broken Jewellery
Charities have little use for tangled necklaces, missing earrings, or broken bracelets. They are usuallt difficult to sell and often end up discarded. Instead, consider recycling broken jewellery at specialist recycling facilities or jewellers who repurpose precious materials. If the jewellery holds sentimental value, repair services can breathe new life into old pieces. Only donate intact, wearable jewellery to ensure it benefits the charity and its customers.
Old Underwear and Socks
Underwear and socks can be considered too personal for donation, especially if they’ve been used. No one wants that. Even in good condition, hygiene concerns make them unsuitable for resale. Charities rarely accept these items, and they often end up in landfills when donated. Instead, think of creative ways to repurpose them.
Old socks can be used as cleaning rags, while underwear can be recycled into textile waste if such services are available near you. For anything beyond reuse, disposing of them in your council’s waste system is the most practical solution.
Used Paint and Chemicals
And lastly, partially used tins of paint or leftover chemicals are considered hazardous and unsuitable for donation. These items can’t be resold and require special handling to be disposed of safely. Many councils have designated collection points for hazardous waste, including paint and cleaning products.
By taking advantage of these services, you can ensure your waste is processed correctly. Avoid burdening charities with items they cannot use or legally handle.
