There are several local, national and international charities that collect old and unwanted items which they either reuse by selling them through their charity shops or recycle to raise funds for the work that they do.
Most people are probably aware that good quality clothing and shoes are often sold through charity shops, as well as a range of items including books, video cassettes, CDs, DVDs, toys and bric-a-brac, but many charities now collect a much wider range of items which helps them to raise much needed income for their activities.
Below is a list of items that you can take along to your nearest charity shop or collection point, place in a bank at one of your local recycling sites or post off to a charitable organisation.
Mobile Phones and Printer Cartridges
The average mobile phone user is now replacing their handset every 18 months. However it is estimated that only 20% of mobile phones are recycled and as they contain substances such as mercury and cadmium, they need to be disposed off in a safe and efficient manner.
More than one billion inkjet cartridges are used around the world every year. However only 20-30% of these are remanufactured, meaning up to 80% are being thrown away.
St Michael's Hospice, the Basingstoke based hospice, collects mobile phones and printer cartridges. These can be dropped off at one of their shops. For more information click here
Bag It Up recycle clothes and textiles, mobile phones and other items on behalf of the Hampshire Air Ambulance, with profits contributing towards the running costs for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. For more information click here
Foreign Currency
Over £100 million of foreign currency is lying around in UK homes. Charities will exchange your donated currency to fund their activities.
Naomi House, the Hampshire based children's hospice, collects foreign currency to help with their fundraising. For more information please click here
Help the Aged, now called Age UK, also collect foreign currency and other items to help support their activities. For more information click here
Stamps
Many charities collect stamps which they often sell to dealers overseas. Stamps should be cut off the envelope leaving at least a 5mm border around them.
Naomi House, the Hampshire based children's hospice, collects stamps to help with their fundraising. For more information click here
Hearing Aids
Age UK accept working, unwanted, non-digital hearing aids,
which they clean and test before distributing throughout India.
They can be sent to:
Hearing Aid Appeal
Help the Aged
FREEPOST LON13616
London, EC1B 1PS
If your hearing aid no longer works, the battery can still be recycled
at the Household Waste Recycling Centre on Wade Road in
Basingstoke.
Spectacles
Unwanted glasses can be sent to developing countries and recycled. Please take your glasses to Dollond and Aitchison, who is collecting glasses on behalf of Vision Aid Overseas, a charity dedicated to helping people in the developing world whose lives are blighted by poor eyesight.
For more information please click here
Local Charity Shops
There are many local charity shops in the borough that are happy to accept donations from the public, so next time you're out and about, pop in with your donation.
The following items are needed:
- good quality textiles, clothes, shoes and accessories, such as hats, scarves, belts and gloves
- books, CDs, DVDs, videos, vinyl
- household items, such as vases, ornaments and other bric-a-brac
To find your nearest charity shop, please click here
