If you are looking for places to donate any food, used clothes, books or any other pre-loves, this list is for you! 

Has your family been decluttering and putting aside items that you and your kids no longer need or want? Instead of dumping them, why not consider donating those that are in decent condition to organisations that can make better use of them?  

Here’s our go-to list that makes our periodic decluttering more meaningful. (and if you are looking for places for kids to volunteer, don't forget to check out our list of 6 places for kids to volunteer.)

Recycling / Donation Drop-Offs

1. Books Beyond Borders

Who: Books Beyond Borders is a social enterprise that generates funds from the sale of secondhand books in Singapore. They use all profits after business expenses, as well as community donations, to help improve access to education in some of the most rural parts of Nepal. 

What: Books Beyond Borders accepts donations of adult fiction and non-fiction books written in English. Books must be in good condition, with no mould or torn pages. Popular children’s and teen books, in like-new condition, will also be accepted.

How: Check out their giving guide or email hello@booksbeyondborders.org to make a drop-off appointment. Free doorstep pickup is extended to donations of 20 or more books.

2. Cloop

Who: Cloop is a circular fashion enterprise focused on reducing fashion over-consumption and waste by helping consumers close the textile loop with solutions for unwanted textiles and sustainable shopping alternatives.

What: Cloop accepts clothes, bags, shoes, accessories, belts, hats/caps, and household items such as toys, pillows and linens, in any clean and dry condition (new/old). Additionally, they have swap events and thrift stores that optimise what they collect.

How: Cloop’s white collection boxes and yellow textile recycling bins are situated around Singapore, simply drop your items off at any one of their locations found here.

3. Greensquare

Who: Greensquare collects recyclables to sell to second-hand textile importers in various developing countries. They are also involved in promoting awareness of the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) through education, with a focus on engaging youths in schools.   

What: Clean clothes, wearable paired shoes, accessories (belts, bags, etc.), household linen (bedsheets, towels, etc.)

How: Drop off at various locations (less than 15 kg) or schedule a collection (a minimal fee of $3 is chargeable for more than 15 kg)

4. H&M Garment Collecting & Recycling

Who: This fashion label needs no introduction, collaborating with REMONDIS, a global leader in waste management, to launch Looper Textile Co. and sort unwanted garments and textiles, as well as to facilitate reuse and recycling. There is a much bigger sustainability mission behind the group’s initiatives towards climate, biodiversity, water use and pollution.  

What: H&M collects clean, previously loved clothing and textiles of any brand.  

How: Hand in your bag of preloved clothes at dedicated garment collecting boxes within their stores (find your nearest store here). You will receive a thank you voucher to use for your next purchase. 

5. Pass-It-On

Who: The Pass-It-On project seeks to provide a meaningful way to distribute unwanted, albeit useful items to benefit the needy (home appliances, home furniture, medical aids, mobility aids, learning aids & etc). With Pass-It-On, your used item can be given a new lease of life, and to better the lives of people who need these resources!

What: VWOs registered with Pass-It-On can request items that go into a Wish List on the website. Anyone within Singapore can donate these items, as long as they are in good working condition.

How: In addition, the general public can also post intended donations on the website. Registered VWOs can then reserve the donated items if suitable and desired, and arrange collection directly with the donor.

6. Society of St. Vincent de Paul Singapore (SSVP) Shop

Who: With a mission to serve and journey with the underprivileged and marginalised, SSVP offers direct, personal assistance to individuals and families in need, through home visits, general and essential aid, outreach and community services. They operate two SSVP shops – their flagship charity thrift stores – at Geylang and Katong. 

What: Men’s, women’s and children’s apparels, as well as accessories, homeware, handicrafts, musical instruments, selected toys and games.

How: There are several ways to make donations, monetary or in kind. Donation drop-off is strictly by appointment, limited to two shopping bags per drop-off. Do check out their website as they sometimes suspend receiving in-kind donations at max capacity. 

7. Ten Feet Tall

Who: Are you wondering what to do with those outgrown shoes gathering dust at the back of your cupboard? This shoe bank has the perfect solution for you! Make a positive impact on the world, tackling issues like poverty and environmental concerns. By donating your gently worn shoes, you're not only caring for the planet but also transforming someone's life.  

What: Ten Feet Tall accepts all styles, types and sizes of shoes, as long as they are gently worn! All of the donated shoes will go into micro-enterprise programmes in developing countries around the world. Donated shoes are sorted and, together with partners, determined where they need to be sent to, to make the most impact.  

How: Ten Feet Tall runs periodic collection drives with partner schools which you can check on their website or contact them at hello@tenfeettallshoes.com.

8. Thryft

Who: Started by students from the National University of Singapore, Thryft is a second-hand online bookstore where you can trade in old books for credits to purchase other books on its marketplace. It’s not only about getting preloved books in sustainable packaging, but also saving thousands of trees and millions of litres of water while at it!

What: Books and vinyl records

How: Doorstep pick-up service can be arranged from $20/box, at least two weeks ahead. 

9. UNIQLO Recycling Programme

Who & What: UNIQLO’s All-Product Recycling Initiative is their key activity implemented globally. Their aim is to maximize the use of clothing that customers no longer wear, distributing these collected clothing to people in need such as refugees and underprivileged people.  

How: Used UNIQLO clothing can be donated at any of their stores during operating hours, by approaching the cashier staff. 

10. Visio Optical Spectacles Recycling Charity

Who: Visio Optical runs a spectacle collection programme to avail reading glasses, distance glasses and sunglasses to the needy, such as elders without income and with little support from other members of the society. 

What: You can donate old or new spectacles and sunglasses that are in usable conditions. Visio Optical will clean and prepare them to be re-used. 

How: Bring your eyewear in usable conditions to their store at 43 Holland Drive, #01-67, Singapore 270043 or contact them at (+65) 6776 0052.

11. ZARA Collection Programme

Who & What: As part of its social and environmental commitment, ZARA aims to extend the useful life of garments. Their used clothing, footwear and accessories collection programme was launched to achieve this and support the non-profit organisations it works with. Each item gets sent to the best possible destination, be it those in need, marketed by charitable channels to finance social projects of non-profit organisations, or get recycled, reused or repurposed. 

How: Deposit your intended donations of any brand into collection containers in stores, and remember to have these in properly sealed packages.  

Community / Social Causes

12. Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home

Who: Established in 1968, Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home provides shelter, care and protection to boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 21 years old who come from low income, broken, dysfunctional families in Singapore. 

What: Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home welcome donations-in-kind to defray the costs of running its Home and to provide for the needs of the children. Items include groceries, household/toiletries, medical items, school-going supplies and mall/NTUC Fairprice/Popular vouchers. 

How: Check out their home’s needs list here and contact them at sponsorship@cslmch.org.sg with information of your delivery at least three work days prior. Do note that while they are not accepting pre-loved items, keep them in mind if you are ordering a little more than you need.

13. Dignity Mama

Who: This micro-enterprise – under Project Dignity – has been providing caregivers and young adults with special needs since 2012 the ability to start small businesses. Through a steady supply of a zero-cost product, the kiosks are a powerful and sustainable way for young adults with special needs to gain basic entrepreneurial skills with supportive caregivers.  

What: Children’s books, adult fiction, magazines that are in good condition and generic, non-controversial content. Do note their other conditions such as not accepting outdated publications (published before 2000) or those in poor condition.   

How: Only their Ng Teng Fong, NUH and Project Dignity office at 69 Boon Keng Road accept book drop offs. Due to space constraints, only up to 3 grocery bags/3 A4 sized boxes of books will be accepted. For enquiries, WhatsApp/SMS them at (+65) 8363 5072 and (+65) 9751 5717.

14. Food from the Heart

Who: Food from the Heart (FFTH) is a non-profit organisation that feeds the needy through its food distribution programme. It was established in February 2003 after Singapore-based Austrian couple Henry and Christine Laimer read a report in The Sunday Times about bakeries discarding their unsold bread. Stirred, they then decided to channel surplus food from bakeries to those in need.  

What: Check out their food donation wish lists here. Do note that all food donations must be at least 3 months before expiry.  

How: Food from the Heart accepts food donations at its office (130 Joo Seng Road, #03-01, Singapore 368357) Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 6pm. You may also order food through online grocers, FairPrice and RedMart, and arrange delivery directly to the FFTH office. There is also a donation box outside the FFTH office where non-perishable food can be dropped off when the office is closed. Additionally, they have a 24/7 food drop (donation boxes) at each of their Community Shops located in Mountbatten, Boon Lay, Lengkok Bahru, Punggol, and Chong Pang, as another avenue for donors to contribute non-perishable food.

15. It’sRainingRaincoats

Who: ItsRainingRaincoats is a Singapore charity that aims to build bridges of integration between migrant workers and residents of Singapore. Working to improve migrant worker welfare, their belief is in integrating them into our community and benefitting Singapore as a whole. Initiatives include excursions, festive celebrations, learning programmes and essential support such as dental, vision care and more.  

What: Donations-in-kind are welcomed based on a wish list of practical items that migrant workers can receive and use, such as luggages, apparels, pillows, electronics, toiletries and more.  

How: Drop off your items at inspIRRe @ 217 Henderson Road #03-07, S159555 and other satellite drop-off points. Pick-up by beneficiaries can also be arranged but must be in working condition, before you WhatsApp Kaveri at (+65) 8101 8186 with pictures.   

16. Metta Welfare Association

Who: Metta Welfare Association provides health care and welfare services for the less fortunate in Singapore.  

What: Groceries, electronics, clothing, IT equipment  

How: Check out their donation-in-kind plan here. For deliveries to Metta HQ at 32 Simei Street 1, Singapore 529950, notify them prior at (+65) 9757 9714 with item details and expected date and time. For enquiries, contact them at mettahome@metta.org.sg or (+65) 6365 7666.

17. MINDS Shop

Who: Established in 1962, MINDS (formerly known as Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore) is a non-profit social service agency dedicated to serving persons with intellectual disability and their families. MINDS Shop is a social enterprise managed and operated by staff trainers and clients with ID, serving as a platform for the latter to receive pre-vocational training in retail and customer service, helping them gain valuable skills for open employment. To promote sustainability, MINDS Shop collects donated items and offers them a new lease of life. Shoppers can enjoy affordable pre-loved goods while supporting inclusive employment.  

What: They accept clean, usable items in good pre-loved condition, such as apparels, accessories, furniture, household items, ornaments, gifts and souvenirs. Do note that there may be periods when they exercise a pause to accepting donations-in-kind.  

How: Bring your items directly to the MINDS Shops at Margaret Drive and Hougang during operating hours and hand them over to staff. For bulky items (or general enquiries), email them at se@minds.org.sg with a brief description, dimensions and photos of your item – you will be advised if the item can be accepted.

18. New2U Thrift Shop

Who: The New2U Thrift Shop, founded by the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO), allows people to thrift for a meaningful cause. 100% of the proceeds goes towards women under SCWO’s care who are victims of domestic violence, require marital or child support, and support the organisation’s efforts to achieve gender equality.  

What: Women, men & kids clothing; handbags & bag packs; accessories & watches (no used earrings); figurines & collectibles; kitchenware and home decorative items. Check their IG if there are periods of non-acceptance.  

How: Ensure your donations are neatly arranged in durable bags or boxes before dropping them off at the SCWO Centre (96 Waterloo Street). Due to space constraints, New2U Thrift Shop can only accept two bags/boxes per person.

19. Salvation Army

Who: Salvation Army runs a diverse range of programmes to help meet the needs of different communities, such as children and youths, migrant workers, prison inmates and more.  

What: Clothing, books, toys, electronic devices, household goods, furniture

How: Re:Nue is their social enterprise arm which reuses, recycles, restores and sells donations in-kind, in turn generating income and providing holistic care to communities. Contact them at customercare@smmt.salvationarmy.org, (+65) 6288 5438 / WhatsApp (+65) 8520 5343.

20. Tzu-Chi Foundation

Who: Tzu-Chi is an international NGO providing humanitarian aid to the needy with worldwide presence. Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) was incorporated in 1993 and raises funds from the local community to address the welfare needs of the underprivileged through various charitable initiatives that respond to the evolving needs of society. Environmental protection is one of their social causes.

What: Recyclables are sorted into categories such as paper, aluminium, metals, hardware, electrical appliances, clothing and glass.

How: Through their Eco Points in more than 30 neighbourhoods across Singapore, every third Sunday of the month, 9am to 12nn, sees residents bringing their recyclable items to contribute to environmental protection – children are welcomed to learn about the social cause.   

21. Willing Hearts

Who: Established in 2003, Willing Hearts is wholly run by volunteers, apart from a handful of staff. It operates a soup kitchen that prepares, cooks and distributes about 7,000 daily meals to over 70 locations island wide, 365 days a year. It also offers other support services to beneficiaries that include the elderly, the disabled, low income families, children from single parent families or otherwise poverty stricken families, and migrant workers in Singapore.

What: Check out their in-kind donations list including chinese herbs, dried food, spices, frozen meat and products, eggs, and more.

How: Contact them at willingheartsingapore@gmail.com, (+65) 6476 5822 or find their soup kitchen at No. 1 Lorong J Telok Kurau, Singapore 425792 (entrance via Joo Chiat Place).

Olio

Wrapping up with a mobile app Olio, designed for freecycling sharing, enabling individuals and businesses to share surplus food and household items with neighbours for free, reducing waste and fostering community connections. The app primarily aims to combat environmental and social issues by allowing people to share instead of throwing away perfectly edible food or useful household items.

Before Donating

Before packing away your pre-loved items and leaving them off at the doorsteps of various organisations, you may want to look up their website for current information on what is accepted or not, and operating hours.

Remember these donation points are not dumping grounds!

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*All images are from official websites or social media profiles