Are you hoarding more stuff than you need? Here’s where to donate preloved items and household goods.
Here’s the downside of living in a shopping paradise: we’re guilty of having more than we need. With all the fab places to shop in Singapore – local stores, weekend markets and new malls – it’s easy to become wrapped up in our material comforts with little thought for the less fortunate. Do you know where you can donate in Singapore? If you’re no longer enjoying – or making use of – clothes and household goods, and you’d like to make a difference (but lack the extra time to volunteer), donating your preloved items is a great way to give back to the community while decluttering your home. Before you start scouring for things to give away, here’s a selection of shelters and charities in Singapore for you to donate your used goods. Heads up if you’re donating pre-loved items – you might want to check in with the organisations before lugging them over. Some might be running out of space after the KonMari epidemic.
P.S If you’d prefer to give a monetary donation to the charity of your choice, check out 100 People Doing Good.
Green Square: Send in old clothes for textile recycling
Where: Green Square aims to double the percentage of recycled textiles by 2020 to help conserve natural resources and reduce environmental pollution. Fabrics collected will be sent to developing countries, where importers will sell them to the needy at economical prices.
What: Donate your clothes at multiple drop off locations around Singapore, or arrange for a free home collection if you have over 10kg of recyclables to give away. Perks are also available to reward your good deeds: refer your friends and get 10% discount at one of our fave online boutiques Zerrin when any of them recycle with Green Square or get 20% off the conscious fashion store Zhai for your donation.
Green Square, multiple locations including The Green Collective at Kinex, United Square and Tanglin Mall.
HOME: Donate to migrant workers in shelters
Where: The Humanitarian Organisation of Migrant Economics (HOME) is an anti-trafficking body that aims to celebrate and protect a migrant worker’s dignity and rights. With about 1.2 million migrant workers in Singapore, HOME has helped countless migrants, some of whom are survivors of human trafficking or forced labour. HOME also provides shelter, health screenings and a variety of vocational courses through HOME Academy.
What: Household items, such as detergent, cleaning chemicals and toiletries will help those living in HOME shelters. HOME Academy welcomes items to further training, such as desktop computers, laptops, household appliances, and healthcare equipment. Monetary donations can also be made online here.
HOME, 304 Orchard Road#06-22, Lucky Plaza. e. contact@home.org.sg.
Foodbank: Feed the needy
Where: Foodbank, a place for companies and people to deposit or donate unwanted food for the needy. Founded by two passionate people with a determination to fight hunger and reduce food wastage, Foodbank supplies its beneficiaries with food items via a network of partners, including voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs), charities and soup kitchens.
What: Make a deposit, such as canned food or dried goods, at the Foodbank bank boxes in various locations such as Forum the Shopping Mall and City Square Mall. Or adopt a Bank Box, which you can place at home or in your office, so people can contribute unopened and unexpired goods. Email enquiries@foodbank.sg to receive one today.
Food Bank, multiple locations including OneKM Mall, City Square Mall and Vivocity.
MINDS: Empower the intellectually disabled
Where: The Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) aims to empower persons with intellectual disability and help them participate as fully as possible in society. MINDS shop stocks a constantly updated range of carefully selected furniture, clothes and collectibles, and houseware as a great avenue for the intellectually disabled to learn how to interact with customers.
What: Donate apparels, houseware, furniture and collectibles. For bulky items requiring pickup services, contact Linda Yusop at shawalindah.hq@minds.org.sg or at her mobile at 8180 2095.
MINDS, multiple locations including Woodlands, Redhill and Margaret Drive.
SWCO: Help survivors of domestic abuse
Where: The Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SWCO) is the national coordinating body of women’s organisations in Singapore. Its New2U thrift shop is a favourite amongst hipsters and vintage-loving bargain hunters – the store is a treasure trove of hidden gems like past season designer goods or preloved statement pieces. All proceeds from sales go to Star Shelter, a refuge for survivors of domestic violence, or the various SCWO initiatives. Right now, the store is on hiatus and not taking further donations due to space constraints, but keep a lookout on the New2U Facebook page for updates. It’s due to re-open any minute: shop away at the store and extend a helping hand – all items (except books, jewellery, watches and toys) go at half price on the last two working days of each month!
What: Donate clothes (men, women and young children), shoes, bags and accessories, books and toys. Clearly, indicate “Donation for New2U” on your package.
SWCO, 96 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187967
Salvation Army: Fund local charities
Heads up: Sources tell us that the The Salvation Army is currently overwhelmed with donations– our suggestion is to call ahead before making a trip.
Where: The Salvation Army is our favourite spot for hunting down vintage knick-knacks and furniture. Committed to lending a helping hand to the underprivileged, its programmes reach out to different aspects of the community like the elderly, families in material need and children who need care and protection.
What: This charitable organisation accepts donations for a variety of things: clothes, books, toys, household goods and even stationery. You can also make monetary donations online or look into options like child sponsorship and fundraising. For donations of bulky items like furniture, arrange for a collection service by making an online booking at Red Shield Industries or emailing donor@SMM.salvationarmy.org.
Salvation Army, multiple locations including Bishan, Tanglin and IMM
H&M: Drop off your fabrics to be turned into something new
Where: The H&M global garment collecting initiative promotes textile recycling (tons of clothes end up in landfill every year!) and reduces waste. Your old clothes will be given a new lease of life by either being marketed as second-hand goods or reprocessed as textile fibres or insulation materials if they’re no longer suitable for wear.
What: Donate your pre-loved clothes. Whether they’re worn, torn or completely out of style, they’re worthy of being donated to this initiative. Simply drop them off at the nearest outlet – and you’ll receive a 15% off voucher for each bag donated (max of two vouchers daily).
H&M, multiple locations including ION Orchard and Suntec City.
The Helping Hand: Give to low-income families
Where: Started by Central Singapore CDC, this non-profit project works as an online platform to distribute unwanted items to the needy and low-income families in Singapore, via Voluntary Welfare Organisations (think Family Service and Senior Citizen Centres).
What: Home appliances, furniture, medical aids, mobility aids as well as learning aids. Monetary donations can also be made online here. Take a look at this wish list to donate specific items.
Pass it On, The Helping Hand, 819 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534678, p. 8511 9160, e. passiton@thehelphand.org
Fashion Pulpit: Extend the life-cycle of your clothes through swapping
Where: Not a donation drive but definitely contributing to less wastage and sustainability, The Fashion Pulpit has a permanent space where you can swap your clothes any day of the week. Advancing sustainable fashion and having a guilt-free shopping experience at the same time? We’re all for it!
What: Sign up for a membership package (or opt for ala carte payment) and you can exchange your clothes for points, which can be used to shop for items in store. Can’t bear to let go of your stash? Upcycle them into pieces that you’ll get more wear out of!
Fashion Pulpit, Liang Court Mall #02-08, 177 River Valley Road, Singapore 179030
SOSD: Help feed stray dogs
Where: SOSD seeks to be the voice of homeless stray dogs – these guys rescue, rehome and nurse the sick ones back to health. They do not own shelters, and pay exorbitant amounts to board their rescues in rented kennels, on top of vet, and trapping fees. To help take a load off their hands, help by reducing the cost of their dogs’ daily feeds.
What: Kibble, chewables, flea and tick protection, puppy milk, towels, dog crates and supplements.
SOSD, 59 Sungei Tengah Road, Block T, Unit 01-42 Singapore 699014, e. donations@sosd.org.sg
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Flea markets in Singapore: Where to shop second-hand