Ethical donation and sustainable waste management.
One of the biggest hurdles for people wanting to declutter, is knowing that good quality items aren’t wasted if someone can use them. Another household challenge is safely and sustainably managing items that are no longer in a useable capacity.
Below is a comprehensive list of places in Wellington that you can donate good quality items to, and places that you can safely and sustainably dispose of household items and waste.
First- if you are donating items, PLEASE:
Make sure they are in tidy and clean condition. Would you offer this item to a friend? If not- don’t donate. OR- keep it aside and ask them if its suitable or worth them repairing or cleaning the item. Charitable organisations have limited storage, and pay to dispose of unwanted items just as we do.
Ensure it is suitable. Donating a ‘useful’ item to an inappropriate charity is only going to take up their time, energy and space. You know that feeling! Check the website or call ahead to ask if they would like your donations.
The Salvation Army in Newtown have to dump a truck full of unsuitable for sale items twice a week.
If all of this is a bit overwhelming and you just need a sweet sweet pile of unwanted items gone:
Lillipot Rubbish Removal is a quick, efficient and sustainable service that is dedicated to reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfill. And she’s a local small business owning QUEEN to boot!
Resellers
Vintage and retro stores - If you’re clearing out an estate or downsizing elderly parents, there are many great retro stores that could buy or sell on your behalf. A few worth mention are Nick Nacks in Lower Hutt, Ziggurat on Cuba Street.
For more modern, fashionable, designer and label items I recommend Recycle boutique, Secondo and Honour. On the Designer Wardrobe site, you can sell clothing and beauty items yourself.
Second skin- A Marketplace and resale organisation for unloved beauty and makeup items.
Arty Bees Is the best place to sell any books you no longer want. (Personally, I don’t understand this concept, it’s a bit like leftover wine- mythical). Also you will probably leave with more books than you went in with, you’ve been warned- it is excellent.
Charitable organisations that will receive good quality items
There are many amazing charitable organisations around Wellington that sell donated goods. A quick google search of ‘Op Shops’ will bring up many in your area if you want a quick and easy point to drop off your items. However, I have found that op shops are sometimes overwhelmed with items, and lacking in volunteers to manage it all. Because of the sheer volume of stuff I donate, I try as much as I can to take items straight to the organisations that need them.
Here’s a list of charitable organisations who would love your good quality stuff.
General household, personal care items and everyday clothing and shoes.
Wellington Women’s and Māori Women’s Refuge
Wellington Homeless
Women’s Trust
Sisters of compassion soup kitchen- We welcome donations of clean men’s clothing, as well as bedding, items for setting up a flat, and toiletries.
Personal care items
Age concern appreciate offers of elderly assistance items and warm clothing, or ask at your local rest home if there are any items their residents might need.
I’ve got your backpack- take NEW personal care items and small toys for domestic abuse survivors in emergency accommodation.
Endo warriors- take new/unused period care items and travel size personal care items for people undergoing surgery or emergency hospital stays.
Clothing- All genders
Lyn’s Lingerie in Upper Hutt take sports bras and other bras in good condition, and pass these on to people in need.
Koha Apparel seeks to improve access to clean clothing while diverting textile waste from landfill.
Dress for success- A large organisation that provides professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. (I have been told they will accept Men’s clothing too).
Pregnancy, infant and young children’s items
Birthright Providing practical assistance with clothing, toys and books for the children and parents of families led by one person.
The Nest Collective gives baby and children’s essentials to families in need. Drop off points are listed on the website. There are 28 donation points across the Wellington Region so there is bound to be one nearby to you.
Other items
Crafting Threads of Aroha will take your wool via the Wellington Sustainability Trust. They facilitate the supply and distribution of crafted and other items to the community, to meet the needs of people and animals within New Zealand, primarily for (but not limited to) relief of poverty and aid in recovery.
The SPCA appreciate pet items, newspaper, childrens plastic climbing frames and old towels and linen.
Sell on or donate your unused or lightly used current study books at StudyStyle Textbook Recycling, via Sustainability Trust. You can also contact them at info.studystyle@gmail.com
The Medical Aid Abroad Trust take medical supplies and non- expired medication for use in volunteer medical use abroad*.
Your old glasses and sunglasses can be donated to The Lions Club in Karori and are sent to the Pacific Islands. Children’s glasses are especially in need.
*Expired and unused medication should otherwise be returned to your local pharmacy for secure destruction.
Recycling Organisations
The Sustainability Trust in Wellington is an amazing resource for our community. They provide a wide range of social and recycling services such as-
Household batteries- Batteries are full of harmful chemicals that leach into our soils and waterways when they’re left to break down in landfills. By recycling batteries, we can make sure that the useful elements can be broken down and recovered for reuse.
Car seats- The SeatSmart Car Seat Recycling programme is a national initiative to divert expired car seats from landfill. Drop your expired car seat off to The Sustainability Trust to be recycled. Please note that there is a $25 fee per car seat.
Bicycles that are in good rideable condition. This means not too rusty, not in parts, and no older road bikes as ReBicycle EkeRua do not have much storage space.
Study textbooks Drop off your lightly used or new high school textbooks to us and get a portion of the resale value back! Powered by StudyStyle, a team of students from St Mary’s College.
Curtain Recycling- The Wellington Curtain Bank upcycles pre-loved curtains for those who need them. Drop your mould free pre-loved curtains and large rolls or offcuts of fabric off.
There’s plenty more that you can recycle via the Sustainability Trust. Read the full list here
Household appliances- E-cycling will ship a box to your door for you to fill and return for a small fee. They also take electrical devices and computer items.
IT equipment is taken care of by Recycling for Charity. They are able to securely wipe your equipment, then refurbish, use for parts or recycle. Recycled plastic is transformed into playground matting and proceeds of refurbished items supports local charities.
Unloved sex toys- ATMS recycling system Yes, they take used items, no they don’t get re-used! They are broken down and the components are recycled. Bonus- you get store credit.
Polystyrene- Expol in Taita will take and recycle your pesky polystyrene packaging and turn it into insulation.
Paint- Both Resene and Dulux have take-back services that recycle, reuse or dispose of your unwanted paint in an environmentally friendly manner.
Earthlink Taita- The lovely folks at Earthlink take all sorts of items to recycle and refurbish. Take a look- you might be surprised what you can recycle there!
