Donating is a wonderful way to give back and contribute to the community, but tossing everything into the donation bin isn’t always helpful. Some items can actually create more problems than they solve. Charities often have limited resources, and receiving unusable or unsafe items forces them to waste time and money sorting, storing, or disposing them.
To make sure your generosity has the impact you intend — and reaches the people who truly need it — it’s important to know what not to give. Here are 10 things you should never donate — and what to do with them instead.
1. Used Underwear
Let’s be real: No one wants someone else’s used underwear. It’s unhygienic and generally not accepted by charities. Instead, recycle old undies if they’re beyond repair or repurpose them as cleaning rags. Some brands like Subset even offer recycling programs for old underwear, so check to see if your favorite label has a take-back initiative.
2. Broken Electronics
Charities don’t have the resources to fix broken TVs, laptops, or phones. If it doesn’t work, it won’t really be a helpful donation. Instead, look for e-waste recycling programs in your area to dispose of electronics properly and safely.
3. Used Bedding
Mattresses, pillows, and heavily-worn sheets can harbor allergens, bacteria, and mildew — or worse, bed bugs (barf). Most charities won’t accept them for health and safety reasons. With old bedding, it’s usually best to just recycle or dispose of them entirely. Some cities also offer waste pickup services for bulky items like mattresses and furniture for free or for a small fee.
4. Outdated Textbooks
As curriculum standards and information evolve quickly, old textbooks become outdated and lose their usefulness. Instead, check if a local recycling center accepts books, or look for organizations that specialize in sending educational materials to developing countries. Platforms like OpenStax also allow you to sell or give away old textbooks.
5. Expired Medications
Donating expired or opened medications isn’t just unsafe, it can be illegal. To ensure proper disposal (especially for sharp items like needles), consider taking them to a pharmacy or a local medication take-back program. Some pharmacies and programs also offer drop-off boxes year-round for added convenience.
6. Stained or Torn Clothing
Clothing with stains, holes, or excessive wear also won’t be useful to charities. But you can give these garments a second lease at life by donating them to textile recycling programs or repurposing them as cleaning cloths.
7. Hazardous Materials
Items like paint, chemicals, or batteries may contain hazardous materials and can be dangerous to handle, which is why most donation centers won’t accept them. Check with your local waste management for safe disposal options.
8. Used Car Seats
Unbeknownst to many people, car seats have expiration dates (typically around seven to 10 years). This is because materials like plastic and foam can degrade over time, making them less effective at absorbing impact in a crash. If a car seat has been in an accident, it’s considered unsafe and shouldn’t be reused, even if it looks fine on the outside. Some places like Target offer a trade-in program, in which the store recycles used car seats and offers customers a significant coupon when they trade theirs in.
9. Half-Used Toiletries
Opened or partially used toiletries are unhygienic and generally not accepted by charities for health and safety reasons. Instead, use them up yourself, or dispose of them properly by checking local waste guidelines.
10. VHS Tapes and Cassettes
These outdated media formats are rarely used nowadays (unless you’re a collector of vintage memorabilia or a fan of retro tech). Instead, consider recycling them through e-waste programs, which can safely break down the materials. You could also check with local artists or even schools that repurpose VHS tapes and cassettes for art projects and other sustainability efforts.
Interested in more content about valuable things lying around your home?
First, check out 10 Recyclable Items You Can Turn Into Cash. We think you’ll also find How To Make Money By Selling the Old Electronics You Forgot About and 12 Things You’re Throwing Away That Could Be Sold Instead a fun read.
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