Goodwill says good donations mean less trash, more workforce development

PHOTO / MAUREEN MILLIKEN Goodwill Northern New England wants to avoid having to pay for disposal of unacceptable items and instead use that money for its workforce development programs and other services.

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By Staff

With the new year almost here, Goodwill Northern New England has created a list of the best and worst items to donate to the nonprofit, aiming to avoid disposal costs for unacceptable objects and instead use the money for its workforce development programs and other services.

Businesses and consumers often get into the giving spirit during December, but there are some items Goodwill just can’t take, according to a news release.

“We’re all sustainability-minded these days, which is great for our planet and people, but unfortunately there are some items that do belong in the trash — broken or stained furniture, as an example,” Kossi Gamedah, senior vice president of retail operations, said in the release.

Goodwill Northern New England said it spent a lot on trash bills during 2019 because people donated items they shouldn’t. The nonprofit runs workforce programs that help thousands of people each year, 23 licensed group homes for adults with disabilities, two brain injury clinics, day programs for adults with disabilities and more.

“When I think how we could have used that money in our programs — instead of in trash bills — it breaks my heart,” Kelly Osborn, senior vice president of client services, said.

Top items to donate

• Clothing and shoes

• Electronics, including computers, cell phones and game consoles

• Musical instruments

• Housewares

• Jewelry

• Books and vinyl records

• Tools

• Games and toys

• Used cars

What not to donate

• Clothing that is soiled, wet or torn

• Furniture that’s broken, torn or stained, covered in pet hair or has missing parts

• Baby furniture or car seats

• Tires, batteries, gasoline, motor oil

• Paint, light bulbs, flammable or combustible gases (propane, butane, oxygen, etc.)

• Mattresses, box springs, water beds or water bed frames

• Guns or other firearms, bullets or other ammunition, explosives

• Organs and pianos

• Large desks

Items donated on or before Dec. 31 can be counted as charitable deductions on 2019 tax returns. For more information, including a list of acceptable donations, visit GoodwillNNE.org/Donate.