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Don’t assume every item you donate to a thrift store will be saved from a landfill.
Key Takeaways
- Many commonly donated items are never resold because they pose hygiene, safety, recycling, or disposal challenges.
- Mattresses, broken electronics, expired baby gear, stained clothing, and damaged furniture are items thrift stores reject most often.
- When possible, experts recommend recycling, community reuse groups, bulk pickup programs, or textile and e-waste services instead of sending these items to a landfill.
Dropping off a few donation bags at the thrift store can feel invigorating. You just got rid of a pile of clutter, and suddenly, all that junk is not your problem anymore. However, many donated items never actually make it onto the sales floor. At best, they create additional disposal costs for already overwhelmed nonprofit organizations, and at worst, they pose major safety risks.
That does not necessarily mean those items belong in the trash, though. We asked professional organizers which donations thrift stores most commonly reject, along with the best ways to safely and responsibly get rid of them instead.
Meet the Experts
- Cathy Orr, certified professional organizer and cofounder of The Uncluttered Life
- Lauren Saltman, professional organizer and founder of Living Simplified
Related: A Guide to Donating Almost Anything Lying Around Your House
01 of 05
Mattresses and Box Springs
Mattresses and box springs are generally rejected by thrift stores and donation centers, primarily for hygiene and space reasons. Bedding can harbor bedbugs, mold, dust mites, and bodily fluids that are difficult to fully remove or sanitize.
But if you just toss one to the curb, there’s a good chance your garbage service won't take it either. “Instead of donating, use a mattress recycling program,” says Cathy Orr, certified professional organizer and cofounder of The Uncluttered Life. “Another option is to schedule city bulk pickup. Or, when buying a new mattress, the retailer will haul the old one away at the time of delivery.”
If you are confident the mattress is clean, relatively new, and free of damage or infestations, contact local shelters, transitional housing programs, or community aid groups to see whether they accept direct mattress donations. Just remember, you should be trying to help others with this type of donation, not create more work or problems for them.
02 of 05
Broken Electronics
Broken electronics like computers, printers, or even old cell phones can contain harmful materials like lithium batteries, lead, and mercury that should not end up in a landfill. They can also pose security risks if software is outdated or if old hard drives or devices still contain personal information. “Instead of donating them, recycle your old electronics through an e-waste program,” says Orr. “On occasion, some retailers will give you credit for trading in for a new item.”
Just make sure whatever e-waste recycling program you choose is certified for safe electronics handling and data destruction. If the electronic is newer and still functional, consider selling it or trading it in. You may also be able to donate it directly through a community reuse program.
03 of 05
Dated Baby Gear
Unsafe or outdated baby equipment is another one of the most commonly rejected donation categories. “Safety-regulated baby gear, such as car seats, cribs, and high chairs, often have expiration dates or evolving safety standards,” says Lauren Saltman, professional organizer and founder of Living Simplified. “Because thrift stores can't verify whether these items meet current regulations or have been involved in recalls or accidents, they usually won't accept them.”
If the baby item still meets current safety standards, Saltman recommends giving it away through local parent groups or community pages, where you can share the history directly. Just take a minute to check whether the item has been recalled before passing it along to another family.
“Otherwise, check with your town for bulk waste disposal or specialized recycling programs for plastics and metals,” says Saltman. But before recycling any expired baby gear, Orr recommends cutting straps or otherwise permanently disabling the item so things like recalled car seats can’t be garbage-picked and reused. (This may seem harsh, but safety comes first!)
04 of 05
Damaged Clothing or Personal Garments
Let’s be frank: No one wants your stained or damaged clothing, but since textile waste is already a massive landfill problem, recycling responsibly is infinitely better than simply throwing those old, ripped t-shirts in the trash. “One way to dispose of old, stained clothing is to use textile recycling bins,” says Orr. “You can also turn old, stained clothing into rags or save the fabric for craft projects.” Maybe you even decide to embroider a fun patch over a tear and give your t-shirt a second life.
Also, don’t even think about donating used undergarments (for hygiene reasons!). “These items may include socks, underwear, bathing suits, and other items,” says Saltman. “Look for textile recycling programs in your area. Many organizations and municipalities accept worn fabrics, even those that are stained or torn, and repurpose them into industrial rags or insulation.” Just make sure the rags and fabrics are completely dry and chemical-free before recycling.
05 of 05
Large or Low-Quality Furniture
This next category is a bit more subjective because furniture standards vary widely between thrift stores. But use your common sense and think honestly about whether someone would realistically want the item in its current condition. “Large or low-quality furniture is often not accepted at thrift stores,” says Saltman. “While some thrift stores accept furniture in good condition, many are selective. Items made from particleboard or pressed wood, or anything damaged, stained, or difficult to transport, are often declined.”
If the piece is still usable, Saltman recommends listing it for free locally on a Buy Nothing Group. “These items are often picked up quickly,” she says, adding that you can check your municipality's bulk pickup services for anything beyond repair. A good rule of thumb for furniture specifically: “If you wouldn't feel comfortable buying the item in its current condition, it's probably not suitable for donation,” says Saltman.
Tip
Donation rules are location- and season-dependent. “Always check with your local thrift store before dropping off donations,” says Saltman. “In my experience, acceptance guidelines can vary widely from one location to another. Some stores may only accept solid wood furniture, while others limit the types of books or kitchen items they will take.”
Read the original article on Real Simple
