Places in Los Angeles to Donate Items that aren’t Goodwill
According to the Seattle Times, Goodwill diverts about 4.6 billion pounds of reusable goods from immediately going to the landfill every year. That's only 6% of the durable goods that Americans throw out annually! Let that sink in.
Despite all this effort to recycle, approximately 85% of clothes still end up in landfills. Goodwill typically holds onto items for four weeks before disposing of them. Their employees are trained to extract valuable items, which are then sold on their website, while the less desirable ones remain in stores.
So, what's a better solution for your donations? Find people who actually WANT and/or NEED the items you're donating. Platforms like Facebook Free, Freecycle, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist, or your local Buy Nothing group are excellent places to post your items, increasing the chances that they'll be re-loved and repurposed rather than discarded.
For instance, old blankets could be washed and dropped off at animal shelters, books could be placed in free Little Libraries around the city, and art supplies could be donated to places like Remainders, where teachers can obtain free art supplies. Finding homes for our unwanted items is a much more sustainable approach to donation.
Remember the saying, "one person's trash is another person's treasure"? Here's a prime example: The Domestic Abuse shelter, House of Ruth, shared a story on their website about being furnished by a local Buy Nothing Facebook Group using donated items.
See my list of donation sites for an array of items in the list below:
Dress for Success - Takes professional attire. Empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and developmental tools to help women thrive in work and life.
Becca’s Closet- Provides prom dresses and accessories to those with financial need.
Hope in a Suitcase- Takes excess inventory of things like luggage, sleepwear, shoes and blankets for children in the foster care system.
Alexandria House - For women and children experiencing homelessness.
Habitat for Humanity- Takes many household items in new or excellent condition- see list for accepted items on their website.
Topanga Woman’s Circle- Takes new or like-new infant and toddler clothing, books and toys. For women in transitional housing.
Green Drop- Accepts clothing and household items. Helps support the American Red Cross.
National Council of Jewish Women- Takes clothing and household items in excellent condition. Uses funds for helping women in a multitude of ways.
Pick up Please- Takes clothing, household items, toys, electronics, books… Funds programs for Vietnam Veterans.
St. Vicent de Paul- Take clothing, household items and even cars. Funds go towards feeding, housing and clothing for those in need.
Children’s Hospital Thrift- Takes, clothes, toys, collectibles and furniture. Funds are used for research and other projects for the hospital.
Assistance League of Santa Monica - New or gently used household items. Funds benefit children and young adults in need.
UCLA Thrift- Takes quality new and used merchandise. Funds go to support UCLA Health programs. Known as the heart of the hospital.
**Go Load Up**- You can hire them for a fee to pick up your donation and drop it off.