Where to Donate All the Things
Ok, so obviously this post doesn't include "All" the things you can donate, but I think I've been able to cover a huge chunk. If you have something you're wondering about and it isn't included, just message me and I can help find an appropriate donation/recycling solution.
In an effort to make this post not seem like a novel, I've included page jumps for each topic. Just click on the section you want to read and it should take you right to the more detailed information. Also, some of the donation locations I mentioned accept WAY more than what I have them included under. I highly recommend you briefly skim their sites to see what else they can accept.
Every site I've shared has such a great mission and is truly doing good in our world. I'm sure for each site I've shared, there are 100 more sites doing equally great things. If you know of a great donation/recycling site that is not mentioned here, please share it! Either leave it in the comments or message me directly and I'll add it in!!
I've tried to keep every resource fairly broad and something that should be accessible to everyone, however I highly encourage you to also look into local resources. I am always amazed by what our local community is doing that I am often completely unaware of.
Where to donate quick links:
Batteries
Electrical cords
Ink cartridges
CDs and DVDs
Computers
Cell phones
Business clothes
Baby clothes
Unwanted but in good condition
Socks and underwear (yes, used!)
Diapers
Gowns (prom and bridesmaid's dresses)
Everything else
Gently used
Everything else
Appliances and Remodel Materials
Watches
Jewelry
Towels, Blankets, Sheets
Pillows
Stuffed animals
Light bulbs
Wine corks
Paint
Office/school supplies
Books
Expired Epipens
Technology
Top donation locations for Technology
Best Buy - Collects more than 400 pounds of product for recycling every minute their stores are open, no matter what retailer the products were purchased from.
Staples - Can trade in unwanted electronics or even broken and damaged items, batteries and inkjet cartridges.
CD Recycling Center - CD, DVD Discs and packaging, InkJet cartridges, Cell Phones, small electronics, mp3 players, charges, Floppy disks, computer cables, printer cables, extension cords, Christmas lights.
DeCluttr - Pays you for old CDs and DVDs, as well as electronic devices (limited to certain items though).
Itemized donation items and locations
Batteries - Recycling batteries helps keep harmful materials out of landfills and valuable metals can be recovered and used into new products such as silverware, pots and pans, new batteries, and even golf clubs!
Accepts all batteries, rechargeable and single-use, in partnership with stores like Home Depot.
Visit their website to find a drop-off location near you
All stores accept single-use batteries. Drop-off kiosks are located just outside the doors. Simply drop your batteries in the container and go about your day.
Electrical cords
Accepts cables, connector cords, chargers and christmas lights, just bring in and place in drop off location.
Accepts computer cables, printer cables, extension cords, and Christmas lightsAlso accepts Cell Phones, ink cartridges, small electronics, mp3 players, charges, and Floppy disks
Ink cartridges - More than 500 million printer cartridges are sold each year in the United States, and more than half — 350 million of those — are sent to landfills.
CDs and DVDs - Plastic discs are made from oil. Recycling your discs saves oil and conserves natural resources, while turning them back into something useful
Old burned personal CDs can be mailed to their recycling center. You do have to pay for shipping.
will pay you! Use the App to scan the barcode on CDs and DVDs, then print the FREE shipping label and mail them in.
Computers - Recycling one million laptops saves enough energy to power 3,500 U.S. homes for an entire year, according to the EPA.
Decluttr - Only accepts Apple computers at this time
will pay you! They also have a great App, which makes it so easy to enter products. They pay for shipping as well!
Laptop computers can be dropped off at drop-off locations outside their doors. There are restrictions based on state, so be sure to read the * at the bottom of the linked screen.
Cell phones - One of the easiest electronics to recycle. They can be refurbished for resale or recycled into new materials
Simply search for a drop off location in your area to bring your old cell phone, cords, and batteries
will pay you! They also have a great App, which makes it so easy to enter products. They pay for shipping as well!
Clothing
Top donation locations for clothing
Veterans of America - They accept all clothing, even if it's old and damaged, however prefer clean and in good condition. They will also come and pick up your donations (depending on your location).
Salvation Army - Accepts a multitude of clothing and will also pick up your donations, depending on your location.
Local Shelters - Research local shelters in your area who are serving people in the most need. Most shelters accept clothing donations for all ages.
Itemized donation items and locations
Business clothes - Donate your old work clothes to someone who is just starting their career.
Dress for Success (women)
Anything you'd wear to a job interview, they accept! Numerous locations around the country where items can be dropped off.
Career Gear (men)
Anything you'd wear to a job interview, located in Manhattan but items can be shipped. Or you can search for an affiliate in your area.
Baby clothes
Shelters are always in need of good, clean clothing for the babies they serve. Research shelters in your area for drop-off locations and specific needs.
Box or bag up your unwanted items and schedule a pickup. They will come and pick up items for you!
ThredUp - Women’s and children's clothes only link may not work, but if you search the web for ThredUp, you should easily find it
will pay you! Simply request a clean out kit and send in gently used clothes. Shipping is free and they will pay you for what they keep to sell. They will donate items not accepted for you for free!
will pay you! Request a prepaid shipping label or box and send the clothes
Unwanted items but in good condition
ThredUp - Women’s and children's clothes only link may not work, but if you search the web for ThredUp, you should easily find it
will pay you! Depending on the item, ThredUp will pay for items shipped to them so they can resell them. And shipping is free!
will pay you! Request a prepaid shipping label or box and send the clothes (men, women, children and infant)
Socks and underwear - (yes, used!) clean before sending in
With any purchase you will receive a free shipping label to ship in your old socks and underwear. They will properly clean and sanitize items in good condition, then ship to areas in need. Items in poor condition will be shredded into fibers and reused for items like home insulation. Partnered with 2ReWear Inc
Accepts new and used socks and underwear. Items in good condition will be cleaned and sanitized appropriately and given to those in need. Items in poor condition will be sent to rag houses to shed the materials for uses such as industrial cleaning rags
Diapers
Accept leftover diapers from a pack your child outgrew. You just have to email to find out where to donate closest to you: info@diaperbanknetwork.org
Search for local homeless or women's shelters in your area. It only takes a moment to find one and drop off your diapers, and is so worth the time.
Gowns - prom and bridesmaid's dresses
Accepts dresses, as well as dress shoes, bags, and costume jewelry. Just have to pay to ship it, or bring to a location near you.
Accepts dresses specifically to be used for high school girls going to Prom. Dresses can be shipped to their locations in 9 different states.
Everything else
Honestly, VVA is my favorite location to donate. They accept almost everything, they pick it up, and then send out reminders when they're coming your way again. I know my things are going to people who truly need it and they make it so easy.
Accepts shoes in any condition, will donate or recycle the items based on what condition they're in. Just drop off items in a drop-off bin near you!
Shoes
Top donation locations for clothing
Veterans of America - They accept all clothing, even if it's old and damaged, however prefer clean and in good condition. They will also come and pick up your donations (depending on your location).
Salvation Army - Accepts a multitude of clothing and will also pick up your donations, depending on your location.
Itemized donation items and locations
Gently used
Soles4Souls (partner with Zappos for Good) - accepts old shoes and refurbishes them for people in need
Shipping label - if under 50lbs, it's free!
Drop-off locations - drop-off 15 or less pairs of shoes to a location near you!
Nike Reuse-a-Shoe - No matter how many miles you've put on them, Nike will take them, melt them down and use the materials to make new shoes, apparel, new tracks, and more!
Drop-off locations link may not work, but if you search the web for Nike Resuse-a-Shoe, you should easily find it
Everything else
Accepts shoes in any condition, will donate or recycle the items based on what condition they're in. Just drop off items in a drop-off bin near you!
Larger Household Items
Appliances and Remodeling Materials
Will pick up large, portable (uninstalled) appliances and household materials for free! They must be in good, working condition and clean
Habitat ReStore, part of Habitat for Humanity
Accepts working appliances, as well as sinks, cabinets, doors, lighting and more. Check out their site for additional items they accept. Items can be dropped off at their local store or schedule a pick up!
Accessories
Watches
Watches in any condition can be mailed (shipment is covered) to help teach Veterans watch repair and making skills
Jewelry
I Have Wings, Breast Cancer Foundation
Accepts all costume or estate jewelry. You just have to ship it
Will accept jewelry one would wear to a job interview
Linens
Towels, Blankets, Sheets
Call your local animal shelter to see exactly what they are in need of, but most will accept old linens to give to the animals to keep warm, use after baths, or simply to chew and play with
Accepts all linens, even those with stains, but clean
Pillows
Not all animal shelters accept used pillows, however some do. Check with your local shelter before tossing pillows into the trash.
Depending on the condition, some homeless shelters will accept used pillows. Double check with the shelter before trying to drop off.
Special Requests
Stuffed animals
Stuffed Animals for Emergencies
Accepts new or gently used (must be cleaned following their guidelines) for children in urgent need. Follow the link to read more on how to donate to children in need.
Light bulbs (CFLs) - Regular lightbulbs should be safely wrapped up and disposed of in the regular garbage. CFLs contain mercury and should be recycled.
Provides recycling locations for regular light bulbs at their stores, as well as batteries and drinks containers
Wine corks
Drop-off your old wine corks at one of their many locations. Or, if you have over 15 lbs of cork (!!) you can mail it in for free!
Check local recycling locations
For example, our local nature center collects corks in partnership with Yemm and Hart Materials
Office/school supplies
Local schools
Animal Shelters
Prisons
Social Service Agencies
Books
Accepts hardcover, softcover, fiction and non-fictions, e-readers
Books can be mailed in or dropped off at a donation location near you, find a prison book donation center near you here.
Check local book stores and libraries
Expired Epipens
Provides locations where you can safely drop off sharps. You can also take expired epipens to a doctor’s office, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal
Paint
Provides location where you can drop off unwanted and leftover paint
Additional Resources
This website is a great resource for researching almost any item to recycle and where to recycle it near you. Simply type in what you're hoping to recycle and your zip code and the site will show you exactly where you can recycle it
If you have items you don't know how to recycle, simply enter the item into their search bar and their site will show you were it can be recycled.
I hope you learned something from this post and have already started a pile of things you can donate. Something I find helpful is having a collection jar or box for donation items, especially for batteries and old CFL light bulbs. Then I just try to remember to take them with me when I go to stores that recycle them. Thanks for visiting!
