7 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU COULD DONATE




There’s lots of things which we keep hold of – shoved in a drawer or stuffed in a cupboard because we don’t really know what to do with them. We either feel too guilt-ridden to bin them or just don’t think they will be of any use to anyone. Well, think again! Here are 7 things you can donate!

Duvets and pillows

Duvets and pillows can’t be recycled but they can be reused by your local animal shelter or animal rescue charity as bedding.

Food

Have one too many spices or a can of pineapple gathering dust? There’s no need to bin them. Try the handy OLIO app, a quick and free way to give your unwanted food a new home.

Travel money

Every penny counts! We all come back from holiday with the odd coin which ends up rolling around at the bottom of a bag or hidden in a drawer.  Most high street charities have collection boxes for coins of any kind, even old coins.

Cat under duvet




Stamps

You’ve got mail! Used stamps from cards and parcels can be donated to some charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support, RNIB and Oxfam.  Just tear them off the envelope and start collecting!

Pile of used postage stamps

 

Electrical items

If you have electrical items still in good reusable condition, whether it’s a toaster, a hairdryer or a lamp, you can donate them to some charity shops. If you have a broken electrical item why not see if you can get it repaired before replacing? Find a repair cafe near you. Or if it’s beyond repair, take it to your local Recycling Centre – never put electrical items in the bin!

Wheeled bin WEEE

Pens

We all have a surplus of pens scattered here, there and everywhere around the house but when we really need one we can never find one. If you have one too many pens or other stationery you can donate them to some charities and education projects.

Row of black and blue biro pens

 

Make up and toiletries

If you have any unused makeup or toiletry gift sets from Christmas and birthdays you can donate them to Elle for Elle which will help women and children in refuge accommodations. There are six drop off points in Greater Manchester.






LATEST NEWS & EVENTS


an upholsterer, showing Andy Burnham how to reupholster a chair
NEWS | 10th September 2025
Renew celebrates four years

Renew celebrates four years and millions of pounds transforming local waste into community good. Renew has donated £1.6 million directly to community groups and charities across Greater Manchester in the last four years. Renew is a joint initiative between Recycle for Greater Manchester (R4GM) and SUEZ recycling and recovery UK and is the largest reuse […]

READ MORE
Parents Guide Page 1
BLOG | 23rd June 2025
5 hacks for uni-parents this moving day

Whether your offspring are moving out for the first time, or coming back for summer these hacks will save you time and money.

READ MORE
Renew Community Fund. Applications Open Now. Apply by Friday 30th May 2025.
BLOG | NEWS | 23rd April 2025
Renew Community Fund is now open!

Here’s everything you need to know to stay sustainable during your Seder and spring cleaning.

READ MORE





COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS