Donate, reuse or recycle items
Rather than throwing away items you no longer use, you can donate some things to charities, reuse them, return to retailers, or recycle them.
Large items, like furniture
You can use the freecycle website or ask a charity to pick items up that can be used by others. Charities like these will collect for free:
- British Heart Foundation
- The Mustard Tree
- St Ann's Hospice Ardwick Furniture Shop
- Tree of Life Centre, Wythenshawe
- Age UK shops
- Emmaus South Manchester
Electrical items
You can donate your old personal computers (PCs) and laptops to Community Computers, who will refurbish them to help other people get online. Find out more about Community Computers and arrange a free collection.
You should not put your old electricals in any of your bins. Everything with a plug, battery or cable must be recycled separately and can either be taken to a recycling centre/tip or you can take items to recycling points in your area.
Search for your nearest electrical recycling point.
Clothes
You can take clothes to your local recycling centre/tip. You can also donate to local charities, including Age UK.
Renew shops
You can donate good quality items in useable condition to be sold at Recycle for Greater Manchester's Renew Shops, including:
- Homeware and furniture
- Garden furniture,
- Toys
- Sports equipment
- Books
Food
The average family of four can save around £60 per month by reducing their food waste by planning meals, storing food better and using leftovers.
Get advice and ideas from Love Food, Hate Waste.
Plastics
Some supermarkets and other venues now recycle plastic items that can't go in your recycling bins, including:
- Plastic bags
- Drinks lids
- Food packaging
Find plastic recycling venues near you.