Whether it is books, clothes, toys, pet supplies, furniture or devices – you’ll find a range of companies and charities that are willing to reuse or recycle your items
CLOTHES, SHOES AND BOOKS
On a mission to re-home pre-loved items, reduce waste and help kids around the world, Thrift4Good donates 100 per cent of its profits to children’s charity projects. It has two stores on Palm Jumeirah and in Times Square Centre which accept gently used clothing for men, women and kids, accessories, bags, shoes and books. Drop your items off in-store and receive a AED 10 store credit voucher as a thank you.
BOOKS
As well as a place to sell your pre-loved books (see their website for details), Bookends, the Silicon Oasis-based bookstore and marketplace, is hosting a Pay It Forward campaign throughout Ramadan. Pop into the store and browse through a pile of free books donated by others. Choose a book for a friend, write a note in it and then purchase a separate second-hand book which will be added to the pile of complimentary books for the next person to select from.
TECHNOLOGY
If you’re one of those people who is hoarding old devices from laptops and mobile phones to tablets and computers, now is the time to rehome them with Tech for Good. The team can arrange free collection from offices or homes and show you how to wipe the data, if you have not already done so. The item will be sold, or if no longer in working condition, it will be safely recycled with the Reecycle.app.
thriftforgood.org/pages/tech-for-good
TOYS AND BABY/KIDS ITEMS
Many charities will accept toys and donations for children, like the Beit Al Kheir Society. You can also sell your wares with a table at the Baby Bazaar which takes place on the first Saturday of every month in Times Square Centre. Or list your items on Facebook groups which have been set up to help people in need locally, such as UAE Pay it Forward, Birthday Bliss, Hope-Amel UAE, Helping Hands UAE and Help2Survive. You can also use some of these groups to list household items, furniture and more.
PET SUPPLIES
For pre-loved textiles such as bedding, blankets and towels, contact your local animal shelter and see if they need anything. Donate cat essentials such as food and water dishes, litter boxes and certain types of medicine to Nine Lives and for dog essentials contact the Stray Dogs Center and K9 friends, or ask at your local pet shop for contacts.
OFFICE/SCHOOL FURNITURE
Waste to Wonder Worldwide provides a pioneering ethical clearance process for redundant office furniture and equipment on behalf of corporate customers. It donates over £34 million (approximately AED 159 million) of redundant office furniture and equipment to over 1,400 schools in 40 countries. Email info@wastetowonder.com to discuss a collection.
