free organising checklists
guide for recycling and donating
Knowing there is an outlet for your unwanted items, a chance to make some money or donate to a good cause can be a huge motivation to declutter. Even though I encourage clients to “chuck, cherish or charity” as a way to categorise their belongings, the “chuck” does not mean landfill. Below is a guide to where many of your unwanted items can easily go with less impact on the environment.
clothes
Local charity shops will take clean clothes in good condition.
www.icollectclothes.co.uk – doorstop collection
Vinted is a great place to sell clothes
Designer Exchange will sell your luxury clothes, shoes & accessories
High street stores M&S, John Lewis and H&M will recycle clothes in return for a voucher.
Turtle Doves recycle your cashmere into lovely new items and often send a reward
bras
www.smallsforall.org is a charity providing access to underwear garments for both adults and children living in slums, orphanages, and camps for internally displaced people in Africa.
https://www.againstbreastcancer.org.uk/recycling/bra-recycling also take donations.
toiletries, make up and medication
Boots and John Lewis have a recycling scheme for empty make-up and toiletry containers.
The Hygiene Bank products are donated, collected, sorted and distributed to a network of community partners who support those pulled into poverty.
Toiletries Amnesty have a directory of local UK organisations that will accept toiletry donations.
Local nightshelters or womens refuge centres may also accept unused toiletries.
Out of date or unused medication should always be returned to a pharmacy so it can be safely disposed – just the pill packets, remove the packaging and recycle with cardboard as normal.
furniture
www.britishheartfoundation.co.uk
Offer free collection services for furniture, white good and electrical items – check on website for your area.
Linens
Dunelm take towels. bedding and curtains in stores.
Textile banks will recycle certain items depending on area.
Old towels and non feather duvets and covers are often needed by vets or local animal kennels/shelters.
books
Oxfam and most charity shops take books in good condition.
Book selling apps such as Ziffit and We Buy Books offer free post once you have accepted their offer after scanning
Antique or rare books can be sold through specialist books shops.
Often locally now there are telephone box libraries or selling sites in supermarkets that are happy to receive free books.
Where to sell or donate mobile phones and tech
Facebook marketplace and Ebay are great places to sell old mobile phones, game consoles and other tech.
You can also trade in via Music Magpie or Mazuma Mobiles who'll quote a price for the device before you send it.
media
Many charity shops will still take DVDs and CDs.
Trade Apps such as Ziffit, We Buy Games and Music Magpie offer free post
https://uk.webuy.com/ (CeX) have stores that give you credit for instore purchases or a reduced cash value on tech, games and DVD’s
Where to donate glasses in the UK
Take unused glasses to local opticians who often have links with charities to send them abroad – check before.
diy and tools
https://menssheds.org.uk/ these are local community initiatives and will take many items for their members to use
Tools with a Mission - collect hand and electric tools (including sewing machines), refurbish them and redistribute across the world for livelihood creation.
Community RePaint is a national scheme sponsored by Dulux that redistributes left over paint to individuals and charities in need.
