What you can (and can't) donate to StillUseful
Every week we get asked the same question: will you take this? Here is the honest answer, written by the people who actually check items when they arrive at the Birmingham workshop.
Things we almost always say yes to
If an item works, is clean, and someone would be glad to receive it, we can usually rehome it within a fortnight.
- Furniture: tables, chairs, drawers, wardrobes, bed frames
- Small appliances: kettles, toasters, microwaves, vacuum cleaners
- Tech: laptops, monitors, phones, tablets, cables and chargers
- Kitchenware, bedding in good condition, books, toys and games
- Bikes and mobility aids, including ones needing minor repair
The fire-safety label rule
Upholstered furniture — sofas, armchairs, padded headboards, mattresses — must still carry its permanent fire-safety label. It is a legal requirement in the UK, and without the label we cannot pass the item on to anybody, however good the condition.
Before booking a collection, have a look under the seat cushion or along the base seam. If the label is there, we can take it. If it has been cut off, the item has to go to recycling instead.
Things we have to turn down
We turn items down for one reason only: we would not be comfortable giving them to a family. That usually means broken beyond economic repair, soiled, unsafe electrics, or recalled products.
- Upholstered items with no fire label
- Cot mattresses and car seats (safety guidance is clear on used items)
- Damp, mouldy or heavily stained textiles
- Anything gas-powered or requiring certified installation
Not sure? Just ask
Send a photo through the donate form and our team will tell you honestly whether it is worth a collection slot. We reply within two working days, and saying no costs you nothing.
Got something usable to pass on, or need something yourself?