Where Can I Donate My…….

 

RDMs are a generous bunch, and one of the most common questions we see in the Ryde District Mums Facebook Chat Group is: “Where can I donate XYZ?”

We’ve pulled together a list of donation options, covering everything from clothes and baby items to food, furniture and even hair.

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Before you donate

Please make sure items are:

• Clean
• In good working order
• In genuinely good condition

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Most charities are volunteer-run and don’t have the time or resources to clean, repair or dispose of unsuitable donations. Quality donations help preserve dignity — and make a real difference.

Important: Donation needs and capacity change regularly. Always check an organisation’s website or social channels before dropping items off.

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General Clothing & Goods

Charity bins are a convenient way to donate pre-loved clothing. Always check the signage on each bin for accepted items — and remember that dumping is illegal.

You can find bins through:

• Ryde Council (30+ locations)
• St Vincent de Paul Society
• Australian Red Cross
• Salvation Army
• Lifeline

You can also donate locally via Facebook:

• RYDE NORTHERN DISTRICTS Area Buy, Swap & Sell
• Ryde & Epping Pay It Forward / FREE STUFF – NSW

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Womens Clothes

• Dress for Success – Donates interview-ready clothing and accessories to women seeking employment. Donation drop-off in Marrickville (check capacity before attending).
• H&M – Garment Collecting & Recycling program accepts unwanted textiles of any brand. Drop items into the garment-collecting box in-store (usually near the registers) and receive a voucher as a thank-you.
• Zara – Accepts unwanted clothing via in-store collection boxes for textile recycling.

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Bras

• Support The Girls – Accepts new or gently used bras and brand-new toiletries. Drop-off points rotate.
• Wayside Chapel – Accepts donations of women’s underwear (sizes 10–12 preferred) and bras (new or gently used).

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Shoes

• Shoes For Planet Earth – Collects new and pre-loved running shoes. NSW locations vary — check before dropping off.
• Clean Up Australia – Shoe In program accepts unwanted footwear. Simply drop shoes at a designated collection unit; they are collected and sent for recycling rather than landfill.

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Towels & Animal Supplies

• Local vets, animal shelters and the RSPCA often accept towels and blankets.
• Animal Welfare League NSW – Accepts towels, blankets, dog mats and selected supplies at Kemps Creek.

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Books

• Street libraries (little free libraries)
• Local council libraries (unsuitable books are often sold to fund new stock)
• Footpath Library – gives books to people experiencing homelessness
• Lifeline – Gladesville store (call ahead)

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Homewares, Furniture & Electronics

• The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre – Offers free collection for suitable household items and furniture.
• Fair Game Sports Equipment – Redistributes sports equipment to disadvantaged communities.
• St Vincent de Paul Society (North Ryde, West Ryde, Epping) – Accepts quality furniture; collections available.
• Women and Girls’ Emergency Centre – Accepts laptops, tablets and phones that meet strict criteria.
• ReLove – Accepts donated furniture to support women and families rebuilding after homelessness or domestic violence. Donors usually drop items directly to the Alexandria warehouse or arrange delivery via a removalist or AirTasker. Suitable for good-quality, gently used furniture only.

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Mattresses

• Soft Landing and Mattress Recyclers – paid recycling service
• Some Salvos stores accept mattresses (check locally)

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Toiletries

• Every Little Bit Helps – hotel toiletries, in-flight amenity kits, and cosmetic or make-up samples
• Support The Girls – All toiletries must be brand new.
• Share the Dignity – Accepts new, unopened toiletries and personal care items to support women and girls in need.

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Stationery

• Second Life Hub (Arc UNSW) – Free second-hand stationery for university students. Helps reduce waste and supports students doing it tough.
• GIVIT – Donate good-quality stationery to kids in need via verified schools and charities across NSW.
• Stationery Aid – Collects and redistributes used and surplus stationery to schools and communities.

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Nursery Items & Toys

• The Nappy Collective – Seasonal collections in May and October only.
• Dandelion Support Network: – Accepts baby goods and children’s items by appointment only. A Drummoyne drop-off point is available — donors must contact Dandelion directly for details.
• Local playgroups may also welcome toy donations.

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Food

• The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation – Accepts food and essential goods to support people experiencing homelessness and hardship across Sydney.
• Foodbank – Accepts food and grocery donations that are redistributed to charities and families in need across NSW.
• OzHarvest – Rescues surplus food from registered businesses and delivers it directly to local charities.

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Glasses

• Specsavers – Glasses Recycling Program – Recycles unwanted glasses nationwide in partnership with Opticycle, turning them into new products.
• The Fred Hollows Foundation – Accepts donated glasses to help restore sight and support eye health programs globally.
• Lions Clubs International – Eyeglasses & Hearing Aids Recycling – Collects and redistributes used glasses and hearing aids to people in need worldwide.

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Physical Donations

Breast Milk

• Mercy Health Breastmilk Bank – Accepts donated breast milk to support premature and sick babies in Victoria.
• The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital – Accepts breast milk donations through its hospital milk bank (NSW).
• Australian Red Cross Lifeblood – Breastfeeding mums in metro Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide can donate excess breast milk.
• Mothers Milk Bank Charity – Invites breastfeeding mums (babies of any age) to donate milk for families and hospitals in need.

Blood

• Australian Red Cross Lifeblood – Accepts blood, plasma and platelet donations across Australia.

Hair

• World’s Greatest Shave – Cut your hair and raise funds to support Australian families facing blood cancer.
• Wigs4Kids – Donate hair to help create bespoke wigs for children undergoing cancer treatment.
• Ponytail Project – Donate hair through participating Sustainable Salons trained to cut and send ponytails for reuse.

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Everything Else

If you’re unsure where something can be recycled or reused, Recycling Near You (by Planet Ark) is a great free tool — just search the item and your postcode.

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