The Donation Cheat Sheet
I love a good closet clean out. I love the feeling of an organized shelf. I even love a big donation pile.
But I don’t love my stuff ending up in landfills.
Books, old electronics, unopened beauty products, sneakers and eyeglasses — so many of the things we no longer need can be donated, recycled or repurposed. You just need to know where to send them.
So I asked my organizer- Jill Fox from In The Fold to help me organize a list. Consider this your cheat sheet.
Books
Books rarely feel like clutter, but once you’ve read them, why not send them back into the world?
You can also check with your local library’s Friends of the Library chapter.
One exception: outdated textbooks, encyclopedias and old travel guides can usually head straight to the recycling bin.
Clothing
Organizations like Dress for Success provide professional attire to women entering the workforce, while Jails to Jobs helps people reentering the job market build a wardrobe for success.
A growing number of retailers now offer clothing recycling programs.
Madewell Forever (accepts clothing from any brand by mail and denim in stores
Many retailers also offer discounts, vouchers or reward points when you recycle.
Electronics
That drawer full of old phones, tangled charging cords and mystery cables isn’t doing anyone any favors.
Many electronics contain valuable materials that can be recovered and reused, but they also contain components that shouldn’t end up in landfills.
Before donating or recycling, back up your data and factory reset any device that stores personal information.
For larger items, check with your local municipality for e-waste collection events.
Beauty Products
Beauty products are one of the most overlooked donation categories.
Unopened skincare, makeup and personal care products can often be donated to:
Sneakers
Sneakers deserve their own category, don’t you think?
DSW accepts shoes from any brand, while Nike’s program is limited to athletic sneakers.
Eyeglasses
That old pair of prescription glasses sitting in a drawer could be life-changing for someone else.
Many optical retailers and eye care offices also maintain donation boxes for gently used glasses and sunglasses. Just be sure the frames are still in wearable condition.
Many of the organizations on this list focus on one specific category of donations, so you can feel confident your items are being reused, recycled or distributed by experts who know exactly how to get them where they’re needed.
If convenience is your priority, larger donation programs like Vietnam Veterans of America can often take many of these items in a single pickup or drop-off, making it easy to declutter responsibly.
Save this for your next cleanout and rest easy knowing that not only will your home feel lighter, but your unwanted items can do a little good, too.
Very helpful info, thank you! I have sooo many things building up in my closet I need to go through and donate!
Thank you for this great information!