Are you hoarding more stuff than you need? Here’s where to donate pre-loved items and household goods.
Here’s the downside of living in a shopping paradise: We’re guilty of having more than we need. It’s easy to become wrapped up in our material comforts with little thought for the less fortunate. So if you’d like to make a difference (but lack the time to volunteer), donating your pre-loved items is a great way to give back to the community while decluttering your home. Heads up, though – you might want to check in with the organisations before lugging your stuff over. Some might be running out of space after lingering effects of the KonMari epidemic…
Where to donate pre-loved items in Singapore
Blessings in a Bag
A community organisation powered by youth for youth, Blessings in a Bag supports low opportunity youth with alternative learning experiences. It partners with social service groups to connect people with the needy, collecting all sorts of donations and used goods for local community programs.
Donate: Just check out its wish list for regular updates on what it’s looking for. Items can range from household products to supermarket vouchers to furniture. Anyone keen to contribute can get in touch with these folks via email at [email protected] along with photos and descriptions of your donation.
Blessings in a Bag
Dignity Mama
An initiative by Project Dignity, this program enables young adults with disabilities to learn entrepreneurial skills using books. Its stores, located in hospitals around Singapore, stock pre-loved books to encourage a culture of giving and reading in Singaporeans.
Donate: If you have any unwanted books lying around, don’t trash them. Simply reduce waste and go eco-conscious by donating them to Dignity Mama. Children’s books, comics, magazines, fiction and non-fiction titles are accepted, but take a look at the site for specifics on what not to donate.
Dignity Mama, multiple drop-off locations including Ng Teng Fong Hospital and National University Hospital
Green Square
Green Square aims to provide free textile recycling services to residents and organisations in Singapore. Fabrics collected will be sent to developing countries, where importers will sell them to the needy at affordable prices. It also promotes awareness of reducing, reusing and recycling through educating students in schools.
Donate: Simply drop off your clean, wearable clothes at any of the various collection points around Singapore. Accessories like belts and bags are also accepted, alongside household linen such as bedsheets and towels. But refrain from packing used socks, pillows and books in your donation. Oh, and your good deeds will be rewarded – just refer your friends and get a 10% discount at online boutique Zerrin when they hop on board the recycling train!
Green Square, multiple drop-off locations including The Green Collective at Funan and Yishion at Bugis+
The Food Bank Singapore
Founded by two passionate people with a determination to fight hunger and reduce food wastage, Food Bank sources and rescues over 800,000kg of food each year for its beneficiaries. The food collected is distributed to various food relief efforts such as daily meal programmes and emergency food rations delivery. Everything goes through its network of partners, which include family service centres, soup kitchens, voluntary welfare organisations and schools with children from low-income families.
Donate: With plenty of bank boxes dotting the island, you can easily find one to drop off non-perishable food (or adopt one for your office!). Food Bank accepts any unopened, non-expired dry or packaged food items for its cause. Alternatively, you can also give monetary donations – just $2 can provide a meal to someone in need.
The Food Bank Singapore, multiple bank box locations including Waterway Point and The Centrepoint
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is our favourite spot for hunting down vintage knick knacks and furniture. You can find all sorts of gems at its massive Praisehaven Mega Family Store! Committed to lending a helping hand to the underprivileged, its programmes reach out to different parts of the community like the elderly, needy families and children who require care and protection.
Donate: Recycle and help those in need by giving them your pre-loved clothing, furniture, household goods, electronic devices, toys and books. Collection services for bulky items such as furniture and appliances can be arranged as well. You can also make monetary donations online or look into options like child sponsorship and fundraising.
The Salvation Army, multiple donation booths including Upper Bukit Timah Road, Bishan and Tanglin Road
SCWO
The Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) is the national coordinating body of women’s organisations in Singapore. Its New2U thrift shop is a favourite amongst vintage-loving bargain hunters – the store is a treasure trove of hidden gems like past season designer goods or pre-loved statement pieces. Even if you can’t head over to the space, you can always shop online! All proceeds from sales go to Star Shelter, a refuge for survivors of domestic violence, as well as other SCWO initiatives.
Donate: The store accepts household items, books, toys, bags and accessories – but do remember to disinfect them before dropping them off. No furniture, electronic items or bulky exercise equipment, though. And keep tabs on its Facebook page for updates on clothes donations, as well as half-priced sale days.
SCWO, 96 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187967
Home
The Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (Home) is a welfare group that protects migrant workers’ dignity and rights. Since 2004, it has helped countless migrants, some of whom are survivors of human trafficking or forced labour. Home also provides shelter, assistance and free food for abused domestic workers, legal aid for migrant workers returning home, and training programmes such as English language and computer classes.
Donate: Home relies on monetary contributions to support the migrant worker community, so you can help out by giving anything from $10 to $100. That will go towards medical treatments, skills training and shelter for the beneficiaries. You can also give women’s clothes, unopened food or toiletries to the shelter. Craft items such as sewing machines and paints are accepted, too.
Home
Pass it on
This non-profit project works as an online platform to distribute unwanted items to needy and low-income families in Singapore. It’s done in partnership with voluntary welfare organisations, and you can even fulfil specific wants of these families or elderly by looking at the requested items on their wish list.
Donate: Home appliances, furniture, medical aids, mobility aids and learning aids are accepted here. You can also take a look at the Grant a Wish program to see whether your items match a family’s need. Take note: You’ll have to liaise with individual organisations to pass the donated goods to their beneficiaries.
Pass it On
H&M
The H&M global garment collecting initiative promotes textile recycling and waste reduction (tons of clothes end up in landfills every year!). Your old clothes will be given a new lease of life by either being marketed as secondhand goods or reprocessed as textile fibres and insulation materials if they’re no longer suitable for wear.
Donate: Calling all fashionistas! It’s time to declutter and clear out your wardrobe. Whether they’re worn, torn or completely out of style, your clothes are worthy of being donated to this initiative. Any brands are welcome – even old socks and sheets. Simply drop them off at your nearest outlet and you’ll receive a voucher for each bag donated.
H&M, multiple locations including Ion Orchard and Suntec City
The Fashion Pulpit
This one’s not a donation drive but it definitely contributes to less wastage and sustainability! The Fashion Pulpit has a permanent space where you can swap your clothes any day of the week. Advancing eco-friendly fashion and having a guilt-free shopping experience at the same time? We’re all for it!
Donate: Sign up for a membership package (or opt for a la carte payment) and you can exchange your clothes for points, which can be used to shop for items in-store. The Fashion Pulpit takes apparel in any size, brand and style, alongside accessories, bags and shoes.
The Fashion Pulpit, #01-04, Marina One The Heart, 5 Straits View, Singapore 018935
Time to declutter and donate your stuff for a good cause!