WASTE NOT... IT’S WANTED
About to throw something out? You may be able to find a better home for it,
Don’t bin your bras. Charities such as againstbreastcancer. org.uk receive cash for them. They collect and recycle. Also, smallsforall.org sends undies overseas to charitable organisations working on projects in Africa, as well as to anti-poverty charities in the UK.
RSPCA wildlife and animal centres use towels and face cloths to clean and dry rescued animals, or as bedding and for lining boxes. Go to rspca.org.uk to find out what they’re accepting and how to donate.
Some charities and homeless organisations welcome clean bedding in good condition. However, some only accept new duvets and pillows.
Last year, the British Heart Foundation saved more than 74,000 tons of items from landfill, including 180,000 sofas. As well as suites and sofas, its specialist furniture and electrical stores accept good-quality items including beds, TVs and washing machines. Visit bhf.org.uk for a free home collection.
Donate unwanted suits to smartworks.org.uk, suitedbootedcentre.org.uk and suitedforsuccess.co.uk
According to the Olio app – a platform that allows you to give away grub rather than let it languish in landfill – a third of all food produced globally is thrown away. If you’ve cooked too much of something, have a glut of apples from your tree or fresh produce you can’t use, post a picture to olioex.com and local people interested will get in touch to collect it.
If you have items your tot has outgrown, the Baby Bank Network (babybanknetwork. com) will redistribute everything from pre-loved baby clothes and breast pumps to prams and bouncer chairs to families who can’t afford to buy them. They work with children’s centres and health visitors.
SHARE YOUR SHOES
According to shoeaid.co.uk, four million UK children wear ill-fitting footwear, yet two million shoes a week end up in landfill. Look out for Shoe Aid bins in Russell & Bromley stores. Pairs you donate will be given to adults and children below the poverty line as well as to the homeless. The charity Sal’s Shoes (salsshoes.com) also sends outgrown (but not worn out) children’s shoes all over the world to those in need.
If you have a once-worn prom dress lingering in your wardrobe, donate it to a Cinderella in need. Promally. co.uk offers the free loan of prom dresses (as well as suits for boys) to schoolchildren, sixth form and college students.
Donate your old glasses to Vision Aid Overseas (visionaidoverseas.org) and they will either recycle or sell them on to raise money to provide affordable eyecare for poor communities worldwide.
The Appalachian Wildlife Refuge in the US (appalachian wild.org) runs a Wands For Wildlife campaign, asking for old mascara wands to groom and remove mites and dust from the fur and feathers of rescued wild animals. Call your local wildlife or hedgehog rescue centre to see if they’re accepting donations, too.
Playing video games provides respite and entertainment as well as effective pain management for children and young people during long hospital stays. The charity Get Well Gamers UK takes donated video games and consoles to hospitals, hospices and anywhere else gaming can provide a power-up. Visit getwellgamers.org.uk to input online what you can donate a n d arrange a pick-up.