Where To Donate Unwanted Christmas Decorations

Are y'all planning a pre-Christmas clear out? Whether it's garments or old toys, donating your old items to a practiced cause can help those struggling in your local community — and volition give a new lease of life to things you no longer demand.

From baby banks to schools, in that location are plenty of drop-off points that are accepting donations all around the Britain. Due to England's current lockdown restrictions, nevertheless, some donation centres may be temporarily paused, so e'er enquire earlier dropping off your items.

Here, Emma Ash, sustainable parenting champion and co-founder of YoungPlanet, rounds upwardly the best options for donating this Christmas...

1. Gift items to friends and family

Whether information technology's clothing y'all've outgrown or old books you no longer read, passing items on to loved ones is a great way to bring them some joy — and help the environs, too. Your trash may be someone else's treasure.

"If yous take a large number of items to give abroad, it might be worth considering a swap store," Emma says. "Swap shops tin can be hosted in your home; or to exist lockdown-friendly, consider creating a grouping chat with your friends and family to showcase any unwanted items."

Not sure how to host one? Read our commodity here on how a wearing apparel swap works.

2. Take items to a baby banking concern

Infant banks, which work in a similar manner to nutrient banks, provide essential items to new parents who otherwise tin can't afford to buy them. If you have anything your children may have outgrown, consider donating it to help families in need.

Some commonly requested items include:

Babe vesture (coats, hats, gloves, warm boots)
Nappies
Wipes
Socks
Vests
Babygrows

Little Village have a handy map with over 100 baby banks across the Uk hither. Alternatively, a quick Google search for baby banks in your local area could aid.

3. Donate to your local school

Epitome Source Getty Images

Looking to make a difference this Christmas? Why not surprise your local school with practical items that tin help educate the children.

Some of the items normally needed include:

Books
Toys
Crafting supplies
Games
Stationery

Emma explains to cheque with the school starting time, as some may have implemented stricter rules. "Coronavirus rules may touch the usual process for donating items, but look on your local nursery and principal schools' websites to see what policies they might have in place. Alternatively, you tin ring and ask them if they accept donations, and they might exist able to tell you lot what items they need the most."

iv. Use the YoungPlanet app

Specifically designed for parents, YoungPlanet is a uncomplicated-to-use app that allows people to gift children's clothing and toys to families in need.

"Not only is information technology a great mode to declutter and become hold of things y'all might need, merely it'southward also great for the environment," Emma adds. "Many toys that are exchanged through the app would otherwise become to landfill and can go back onto the app each time they are finished with, thereby serving many families instead of a few!"

five. Head to your local clemency shop

clothing and shoes for display at thrift store

Maskot Getty Images

Due to England's second national lockdown, many charity shops have had to close in one case again. To avert overwhelming small stores, enquire earlier dropping any items off.

From books to ornaments and wear, donating to clemency shops is a great fashion to pass on items you no longer demand – and help a good crusade at the aforementioned fourth dimension.

Emma adds: "You should as well ask them whether there are any items they'd like to see more than of. If you have bulkier items – such as furniture or large electrical items – charities volition have stores designated to take these items, and so information technology's as well worth researching these. Some charities offer a collection service free of accuse."

half dozen. Use supermarket recycling schemes

Cheque your local supermarket to see whether they are running whatsoever recycling schemes. Some larger stores volition take clothing bins and boxes for donations such as clothes, shoes, toys and bric-a-brac. It's an piece of cake mode to clear your ataxia before the festive flavor.

"Oftentimes the charity linked to the clothing bin will benefit past existence paid for the weight of the clothes and shoes donated and the other items can go in their split recycling bins to ensure they are disposed of responsibly," Emma adds.

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