Waste not... it’s wanted elsewhere
About to throw something out? You may be able to find a better home for it, says
BETTER USE FOR BRAS
Don’t even think about binning your bras that don’t fit any more. Charities such as againstbreastcancer.org.uk receive cash for bras they collect and recycle and smallsforall.org sends undies overseas to charitable organisations working on projects in African orphanages, schools or deprived areas, as well as to charities in the UK that focus on alleviating poverty.
BLANKET COVERAGE
Some charities and homeless organisations welcome donations of clean bedding in good condition – including sheets, pillows, duvets and duvet covers. Do ring to check beforehand as some only accept duvets and pillows that are new.
SOFA SO GOOD
Last year alone, the British Heart Foundation saved more than 74,000 tonnes of items from landfill.This included an incredible 180,000 sofas.
As well as suites and sofas (which must have fire labels attached), their specialist furniture and electrical stores also accept good quality items including beds, TVs and washing machines.
Visit bhf.org.uk to arrange a home collection free of charge.
SUITS YOU
Help someone else onto the career ladder by donating your unwanted suits or smart interview clothes to organisations such as smartworks. org.uk, suitedbootedcentre.org.uk and suitedforsuccess.co.uk.
They kit out people who can’t afford good quality work attire, helping them find the perfect outfit for an upcoming job interview and making them look and feel confident for their big day.
LOVE YOUR LEFTOVERS
According to the Olio app – a platform that allows you to give away good food rather than let it languish in landfill – a staggering third of all food produced globally is thrown away. Closer to home, the average family in the UK bins 22 per cent of their weekly food shop.
If you’ve cooked too much tagine, have a glut of apples from your tree or have fresh produce you won’t be able to use, post a picture to the app (olioex.com) and local people who are interested will get in touch to collect it.
THROW IN THE TOWEL
RSPCA wildlife and animal centres use tonnes of towels and face cloths every year to clean and dry rescued animals, or as bedding and for lining boxes.
Phone your local centre (find locations at rspca.org.uk) to find out what they’re accepting and how to donate.
BEST FOR BABIES
Bringing up a baby is an expensive business. So if you have any items your little ones have 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 that can’t afford to buy them.
They work with children’s centres, health visitors and other organisations to identify those in need. If you’re not in any of the areas that the
Baby Bank Network operate in, the website features a map of similar services all over the country.
SHARE YOUR SHOES
According to shoeaid. co.uk, four million children in the UK wear ill-fitting shoes, yet two million are thrown into landfill every week. Luckily your unwanted shoes can find new feet elsewhere. Look out for Shoe Aid shoe bins in Russell & Bromley stores, and your shoes will be redistributed to adults and children living below the poverty line as well as to homeless people.
The charity Sal’s Shoes (salsshoes.com) sends children’s shoes all over the world to those in need and over 500 Clarks stores have ShoeShare drop-off points where you can donate old shoes which raise money for Unicef.
OH CHRISTMAS TREE…
Is your Christmas tree is still languishing in the back garden? Then it could make an enriching plaything – or even a tasty treat – for animals. Call up your local donkey or animal sanctuary, zoo or safari park to see if they’d welcome your festive fir, spruce or pine.
Animals enjoy using the trees as shelter or for scratching, snacking on or simply playing with. Alternatively the trees could be recycled in a chipping machine for use as bedding.
Just make sure to remove all tinsel and decorations first.
GIVE AWAY GLASSES
Statistics show 1.2 billion people worldwide can’t see properly because they need glasses, and that 12 million children struggle to learn because of poor eyesight.
So why not give away your old, unwanted spectacles?
You can donate them to the charity Vision Aid Overseas and they’ll either recycle them or sell them to raise money to provide affordable eyecare for poor communities worldwide.
Hundreds of opticians will accept your glasses for recycling – go to visionaidoverseas.org to find your nearest drop-off point, or you can request a recycling pack to post on your glasses.
TOILETRIES TO GO
Head over to the Toiletries Amnesty website (toiletriesamnesty.org) to search for local homeless shelters and hostels, women’s and children’s refuges, mental health services, food banks and organisations that need donations of toiletries to alleviate hygiene poverty.
The website’s directory shows what the organisations do, where they are, what they accept and how to donate.There’s also a facility to whittle down the selection to a list of those that accept partially used products – so if you’ve had just one squirt of shower gel, a spritz of perfume or a splodge of shampoo and decided the product wasn’t for you, you can donate it rather than ditch it.
YOU SHALL GO TO THE BALL
If you have a once-worn promdress lingering in the back of your wardrobe, be a real Fairy Godmother and donate it to a Cinderella-in-need. Promally.co.uk offers the free loan of prom dresses (as well as suits for the boys) to school children, sixth form and college students all over the country who would struggle to afford to buy an outfit for their big night out.
MASCARA WANDS
The Appalachian Wildlife Refuge in the USA (appalachianwild.org) runs a Wands For Wildlife campaign, asking for donations of old mascara wands twice a year (in February and October).
They use the wands to groom and remove mites and dust from the fur and feathers of rescued wild animals – how cute. Call your local wildlife or hedgehog rescue centre to see if they’re accepting donations. Wash your wands in warm, soapy water before sending on.
GAME ON!
Playing video games provides entertainment, respite and – studies stay – effective pain management for children and young people during long hospital stays.
GetWell Gamers UK is a charity that takes donated video games and consoles to hospitals, hospices and anywhere else gaming can provide a power-up.
Visit getwellgamers.org.uk to input what you can donate – include your postcode and they will check if there are volunteers nearby who can arrange a pick-up.