Where to donate or recycle almost every household item

We’re all familiar with the idea that the items in our home need to “spark joy” in order for them to remain but as we eliminate these less emotionally evocative items, we can still put a smile on our faces – and importantly, help those in need – by donating.

Rather than adding to Australia’s growing landfill problem, many organisations will gladly accept donated household goods that they will then refurbish, redistribute or recycle, so you can spring clean with a clear conscience.

1. Bathroom stuff 

The plastics in makeup packaging, brushes, hair bands, clips, shampoo and conditioner bottles (minus their contents) can all be recycled in TerraCycle Zero Waste Boxes, which you can also get through Flora & Fauna. Brands such as Kiehl’s  and MAC will also accept their packaging back and give you some bonus product as an incentive to keep recycling.

2. Bedroom stuff 

If you’re updating your bedding, the RSPCA will take polyester doonas, blankets, sheets, pillowcases plus towels and face washers, which will then become bedding for animals in their care. Donate Direct will take bed frames, and also create matches between exactly what’s needed and what’s being donated.  National social enterprise Soft Landing salvages and recycles metal, foam and timber from old mattresses.

3. Baby stuff 

Bub is all grown up and in underwear now? The Nappy Collective collects unused nappies and redistributes them to the quarter of a million children in 140,000 families around Australia experiencing nappy stress. Pre-loved nursery equipment, clothes and toys for babies and children (aged up to 16) can be donated to St Kilda Mums, and in NSW Second Chance Toys give gently-used, unbroken plastic toys to children in need.

4. Big stuff 

Over 500 households of asylum seekers from over 30 different countries living in Melbourne’s west are assisted by West Welcome Wagon which helps furnish their homes. Televisions, washing machines, beds, fridges, dining tables, drawers, rugs and many more household items will be accepted as long as they are in good working order with no tears, stains, chips or broken pieces. 

5. Garage stuff 

Once you’re done spring cleaning the house, there’s also goodies in the garage. Bikes 4 Life give bicycles to people in developing countries. Kids Tennis Foundation accepts used tennis balls and racquets; while Pets Haven will take cat scratching poles, dog beds and even horse floats to help look after abused and neglected animals. Paintback takes unwanted paint while batteries can be recycled here.

6. Kitchen stuff

Enjoy some vino and got a cork collection? Grassroots artist reuse organisation Reverse Art Truck will give them to art educators, artists and crafters. Plastic bottle tops will become prosthetic hands for children via Envision and plastic bread tags can ultimately become wheelchairs. 

7. Medical stuff 

The Lions Club gives refurbished prescription glasses, hearing aids and contact lens to people in developing countries. You can also put your pre-loved glasses, including sunnies, into the recycling box at your local Specsavers store and they’ll get them to the Lions Club. Individuals can post old X-rays to Ecocycle  and they’ll recover the silver on it in an environmentally friendly way and any first-aid kit-style medical supplies will be distributed to countries in need via Airborne Aid. 

 8. Stationery stuff 

Although mightier than swords, you might think pens aren’t much of an environmental issue but BIC alone has sold over 100 billion of them, which is a lot of plastic in landfill. Any brand of pen, felt tip, highlighter, marker, (empty) correction fluid pot, mechanical pencil and eraser pen can be recycled at various drop-off points around Australia or if you’re wanting to collect pens in larger quantities you can also earn cash for your chosen charity. In Sydney, the Stationery Reuse Centre at UNSW accepts once-loved and re-purposed pens, highlighters, rulers and provides them free for students. Officeworks will recycle your old IT equipment, ink and toner cartridges and mobile phones.

9. Travel stuff 

Who hasn’t come home with a few teeny-tiny toiletries from a hotel stay before? Depending on how often you travel for work or pleasure, you can end up with quite the collection. Every Little Bit Helps will redistribute unwanted hotel toiletries – plus in-flight amenity kits, cosmetic and makeup samples – to the homeless, asylum seekers, troubled youths and victims of domestic violence.

10. Wardrobe stuff 

Got some work clothes in excellent condition that would help a disadvantaged woman look and feel great at a job interview? Fitted for Work will accept everything from handbags, scarves and jewellery plus clothes of all styles and sizes. Dress for Success offers a similar service and have chapters in almost every state. Secondhand bras in good condition can be donated to Uplift Bras or Support the Girls.

Listen to episode eight of Somewhere Else: