DID YOU KNOW? Community, find, Health, Lifestyle, Money, news, places, Television, Work, World October 11, 2024

“Think Before You Donate: 13 Surprising Items That Can Do More Harm Than Good!”

Have you ever had that gut-wrenching moment when you proudly present your used items for donation, only to be met with a polite yet firm rejection? You might be thinking, “I thought sharing was caring!” Well, here’s a little secret: not all donations are created equal! While it’s heartwarming to tidy up and pass on your discarded treasures to those in need, certain items just don’t cut it for charities and thrift shops. Instead of being the bearer of bad news, let’s dive into what actually belongs in the recycling bin or the trash. Ready to clear the clutter and make a difference? Let’s uncover the 13 things that simply aren’t worth donating! LEARN MORE.

Donating unused or unwanted items is a great way to help those in need, clear your space, and reduce waste. But not everything should make it to the donation bin. Have you ever tried to donate something, only to be told, “Thanks, but no thanks”? It turns out, not all items are as useful to charities and thrift stores as you might think.

As generous as we may be with our donations, some items are simply better off being recycled, repurposed, or tossed out altogether. There’s also a growing concern among donation centers about how to handle things they can’t sell or redistribute. It costs them time and money to dispose of unusable goods, which isn’t exactly the help they need.

So, before you load up the car with bags of items, here’s a guide to 13 things that just aren’t worth donating. It’s not that donation centers don’t appreciate the gesture, they just need things that are useful, clean, and sellable.

1. Broken Electronics

Broken television — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Donating old electronics might seem like a great idea, but if they’re broken or outdated, it can be more of a burden than a blessing. Most donation centers don’t have the resources to repair electronics, and they end up being e-waste. Items like old TVs, VCRs, or non-functioning computers can’t be resold, and recycling them can be tricky due to hazardous materials.

Instead, look into electronics recycling programs. Many municipalities and retailers, such as Best Buy, offer free drop-offs for recycling old electronics.

2. Stained or Torn Clothing

woman donating declutter organizing clothes — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Everyone loves the idea of giving clothes a second life, but stained, torn, or heavily worn clothing isn’t a gift anyone wants. Donation centers often have to throw these items away because they can’t sell damaged goods. In fact, many charities are overwhelmed with unusable clothing donations, which ends up costing them for disposal.

Rather than donate unusable clothing, consider recycling them. Some companies, like H&M, have fabric recycling programs where your old clothes can be repurposed into new textiles.

3. Used Mattresses

Woman hand testing orthopedic memory foam mattress topper. — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

While a new mattress can be a fantastic donation, most places won’t accept used ones. Mattresses can harbor dust mites, bed bugs, or other allergens, making them a health risk. Donation centers don’t have the means to clean or sanitize them, so they often get turned away.

If you have a mattress that’s in good condition but no longer needed, some states have mattress recycling programs.

4. Expired Food

woman in her stocked pantry prepared — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

It’s great to donate to food banks, but remember, expired food isn’t going to help anyone. Food banks often have strict guidelines to ensure the safety and quality of the food they provide. If it’s out of date, food banks have to throw it away, which is both a waste of resources and time.

Make sure to check expiration dates before donating and ensure the food is non-perishable and sealed.

5. Recalled Baby Products

Concentrated father helps his son to fasten belt on car seat tiny baby foot with measles rash — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

While baby items like cribs, strollers, and car seats are always in high demand, donating recalled products can pose a significant safety risk. If a product has been recalled, it’s illegal to resell it, even if it looks fine. Many second-hand stores won’t accept baby items because they can’t guarantee the safety standards.

Before donating baby products, check to see if they’ve been recalled by searching databases like the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

6. Used Underwear

Different color bras and underwear in drawer — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

As personal and intimate items, used underwear is not something that thrift stores or donation centers typically accept (bras are a hit or miss, so check with your local donation center). Even if they’ve been washed, there are hygiene concerns that prevent these items from being reused.

Instead, consider recycling old underwear into cleaning rags or finding fabric recycling programs that accept used textiles. For donation guidelines, check out the Salvation Army.

7. Damaged Furniture

donate old and unused furniture on street — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

If your old couch or dining table is falling apart, it’s not something donation centers want. Furniture that’s broken, heavily scratched, or missing pieces can’t be sold and often ends up costing charities to dispose of.

If your furniture is in decent shape but no longer useful to you, consider listing it for free on community websites like Freecycle or Craigslist.

8. Outdated Appliances

Sad woman talking on smartphone and looking at microwave in kitchen — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Older appliances, like microwaves or refrigerators, are often difficult to donate, especially if they’re energy-inefficient or broken. Most donation centers won’t take outdated appliances because they’re expensive to repair and hard to resell.

Instead, look into appliance recycling programs that will ensure these items are disposed of properly. The EPA’s Appliance Recycling program is a good place to start.

9. Broken Toys

Boy playing with toy cars — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Toys can bring joy to children, but broken toys are a different story. Donation centers won’t accept toys that are missing parts or can’t be used safely. Additionally, toys that have been recalled should never be donated, as they pose serious safety risks.

Make sure the toys you’re donating are complete and in good condition. Otherwise, recycle them or discard them responsibly.

10. Old Encyclopedias

Moldy Books — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Encyclopedias may have once been a valuable source of information, but in today’s digital age, they’re largely obsolete. Most libraries and schools don’t have a use for outdated books, especially ones that contain information that has been superseded by modern resources.

If you have old encyclopedias, consider recycling them rather than donating them. Some rare or vintage editions may be of interest to collectors or antique stores.

11. Non-Flat Screen TVs

Old video recorder and tv. Vintage Video VHS Player on the shelf — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Older, bulky CRT televisions are almost impossible to donate. They’re heavy, outdated, and consume more energy than newer flat screens, making them undesirable for donation centers. Most people looking for a second-hand TV want modern flat screens that are energy-efficient and lightweight.

If you have an old CRT television, the best course of action is to recycle it through an electronics recycling program. Some cities and retailers, like Best Buy, offer TV recycling services.

12. Used Makeup and Personal Care Products

Old and expire Makeup or accessories — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Even if you have gently used or nearly full bottles of makeup and personal care products, donation centers typically won’t accept them due to hygiene concerns. Once makeup or skincare items have been opened, there’s a risk of contamination, which could lead to infections or allergic reactions.

Unused and unopened personal care products, however, are often accepted by women’s shelters or community centers. For guidance on where to donate these items safely, check out the Beauty Bus Foundation, which provides beauty services to patients with chronic illnesses.

13. Torn or Broken Shoes

Woman's closet with high heel shoes, stacked, folded clothes on shelves and part of robes hanging. Depicting closet organization, time to donate clothes, fashion lifestyle, consumerism. — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Just like damaged clothing, shoes that are torn, broken, or extremely worn aren’t worth donating. Donation centers don’t have the capacity to repair footwear, and heavily worn shoes may not be suitable for resale.

If your shoes are still wearable but no longer your style, consider donating them to specific organizations like Soles4Souls, which repurposes shoes for those in need.

22 Junky Things You’re Saving That You Should Throw Out Now

woman lying in junk and trash plastic — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Are you one of those people who have difficulty throwing things out? Let’s face it: we all save things thinking we might need them someday. But often, that day never comes, and the clutter keeps adding up.

22 Junky Things You’re Saving That You Should Throw Out Now

20 Things to Get Out of Your Closet That Are a Waste of Space

woman in her closet deciding what to wear — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Are you running late for work and can’t find your favorite top? Most of us can relate to this frustrating situation. When closets get cluttered with junk we never wear or use anyway; it can start to feel overwhelming. Thus, you might reach for the same couple of outfits each week to avoid digging through the sea of stuff.

20 Things to Get Out of Your Closet That Are a Waste of Space

17 Worthless Antiques in Your Attic to Get Rid of Now

old junk trash falling apart couch and tub — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

If you’re like most people, you might find yourself sitting on a treasure trove of stuff that isn’t quite treasure. In other words, your storage of antiques might be worth less than the space they occupy.

While some antiques hold sentimental or monetary value, others should be thrown away or donated. The reduced clutter can do wonders for mental health.

17 Worthless Antiques in Your Attic to Get Rid of Now

With an honors degree in financial engineering, Omega Ukama deeply understands finance. Before pursuing journalism, he honed his skills at a private equity firm, giving him invaluable real-world experience. This combination of financial literacy and journalistic flair allows him to translate complex financial matters into clear and concise insights for his readers.