Charity shop donation rules say some items won't be accepted

Emmaus Dover staff said donations are vital and should be sellable or reusable; some items — including unsafe equipment, some electricals, heavily damaged clothing and unlabeled furniture — may be refused or recycled.

Charity shop staff at Emmaus in Dover described how donations support their work and why shops set practical limits on what they will accept. Donations fund the charity and give items a second life, but staff say some goods are unsuitable for resale or pose safety and storage challenges. The guidance reflects both customer demand and the shop’s capacity to store, repair or resell items. Seasonal items are commonly kept in storage until needed. What the shop said: - Donations are essential to Emmaus Dover, part of Emmaus UK, and help fund the charity while providing reuse opportunities. - Staff ask donors to assess whether items will sell or be useful; items judged to be clearly past their useful life are typically not accepted. - Furniture may be accepted but often must carry a fire label (unless pre-1950s); items should not have missing parts and glass should carry a kite mark unless antique. - Most shops cannot carry out major repairs; Emmaus Dover may do small workshop repairs, but many broken items are not accepted. - Some items are refused for health and safety reasons, including large safety or sports equipment; certain electrical goods are also declined (the article mentions printers and Sky boxes as examples) and accepted electricals must be in working order. - Clothing is a core donation type but heavily stained, torn or threadbare garments are raged and sent to an ethical rag company; bric-a-brac makes up a notable share of sales and seasonal decorations are stored. Summary: Charity shops rely on donated goods for income and to supply people in need, but they set limits so stock is safe, sellable and manageable. These practical rules mean some items will be refused, recycled, or stored depending on condition and shop capacity. Undetermined at this time.