Stockrooms under strain
The small stockroom at St Raphael’s Hospice charity shop in Cheam, south London, has been pushed to capacity by a steady flow of donations. Caroline Worley, the shop's commercial manager, says: 'On average, we get 30 to 50 bags a day, but it’s not unusual to receive over 100.' Store manager Colin French adds that at times there is barely enough floor space to move.
A growing tide of unsellable items
Staff sorting through the incoming bags frequently find items that cannot be sold: a smelly, soiled bathrobe, tatty trainers, heavily bobbled jumpers, old socks and even an empty jewellery case. Worley describes such finds as 'absolutely typical.' The volume itself is the major challenge, with backrooms filling and front-of-store space reduced as volunteers and paid staff struggle to process donations.
Changing habits and the rise of online resale
Managers at the shop and other secondhand retailers say the character of donations has shifted, a change that some attribute to the pandemic period. With more people selling selectively on peer-to-peer platforms such as Vinted, the best-quality items increasingly reach online resale markets rather than charity shops, leaving stores with larger proportions of low-cost fast fashion and worn goods.
Practical steps for more effective giving
Charity shops and textile-reuse groups have urged donors to think carefully before donating: check a charity's guidelines, ensure items are clean and in good repair, and donate only what would be suitable for immediate sale. For higher-value or designer pieces, sellers may choose online resale to realise more value, while worn textiles are better routed to specialist recycling facilities rather than left at shop doors.
A test of goodwill and logistics
The surge in unsuitable donations has become a logistical and financial strain for many charities that rely on shop sales to fund services. Volunteer time, storage space and disposal needs are all stretched, turning well-intended donations into an operational problem. Charities say more considered giving would help them maximise income for their causes and reduce waste in the system.