What Not to Donate - and What You Can Give Instead

When we find ourselves with too much in our closets, our garage, or our kids’ rooms, we often think to donate these items. After all, it is a great way to give back to our communities while helping ourselves. However, there are a few items aside from the usual clothing and toys that simply should not be donated.

If your newest baby has recently outgrown a crib or car seat, this is not an item that you should consider donating. Because cribs and car seats alike are constantly being recalled and replaced as per Federal standards, it isn’t a good idea to donate them. Car seats also have expiration dates. In most states, these donations are outright banned to protect babies’ safety. However, there are programs where you can get a discount toward a new car seat if you turn in an old model. Instead, donate gently used baby clothing and toys - these are always in demand.

When donating clothing, something on the list of items you shouldn't donate are stained garments. Any clothing with stains, rips, holes, tears, broken zippers and the like are nothing that can be used again by others. However, you can still donate them to places like the ARC or the Goodwill, although they won’t be worn again. They are often used by the store to be sold to textile recyclers. If you were donating old blankets that can’t be used again, you can send these along or donate them (as long as they are clean) to local animal shelters to keep the animals warm.

Electronics are things that we often exchange every year or so - they simply go out of fashion that quickly. However, you should not donate these to your local Goodwill. When they are donated, the thrift shop has to deconstruct them and this is an expensive process. There are programs that will take old televisions, computers, tablets, and cell phones, so do your research before you get rid of these items as easily as your jeans.

There are a few items that you should never consider donating. These include used undergarments, used personal care products, large appliances, medical supplies such as walkers (although there are organizations that will take them), and mattresses. Mattresses are simply too risky, as are undergarments and anything with chemicals like soaps or hairspray. You can buy new personal care products, new socks, or food packages and donate these to your local shelter.

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Created on Dec 21st 2018 17:33. Viewed 357 times.

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