Not all trash is treasure: what you can't donate at York Region charities
Used matresses, car seats, strollers and hazardous materials a no-no when it comes to donations

YorkRegion.com
Sept. 7, 2017
Teresa Latchford
https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/7533609-not-all-trash-is-treasure-what-you-can-t-donate-at-york-region-charities/

York Region’s charitable organizations aren’t being stuck up when they refuse the donation of certain items.

Each organization that accepts donations, from Vaughan to Georgina, has policies surrounding acceptable items. While donors might feel slighted by these organizations refusing donations of certain things, there are reasons behind the rules.

“Some people donate items because they love them and want that item to be continued to be loved,” Rose of Sharon’s development director Rachel Agnoluzzi said.

The organization that supports young mothers across the region primarily relies on monetary donations to improve lives going forward, however, it does have Roseys Closet for gently used donations.

Often people try to donate car seats, cribs and more with the best of intentions but with those items comes liability because the safety standards of such items changes so often, according to Agnoluzzi.

Those who wish to donate items should check online or call the organization before doing so because any items left on the front stoop cost money and resources to dispose of.

Salvation Army Thrift Stores accept donations daily through the Donor Welcome Centres. Donations are reviewed on site and while some get a second chance in the store, some do not, according to a Salvation Army spokesperson.

Items the stores cannot accept include used mattresses, box springs, carpets, hazardous materials like paint, propane tanks, barbecues, infant gear like car seats, cribs and strollers, tires and auto parts due to health and safety regulations.

Many children’s items such as car seats, have an expiry date and sometimes cribs and strollers are subject to recalls due to safety concerns. Used mattresses are a breeding ground for mould, bacteria and unwanted guests such as bedbugs and dust mites, all of which can lead to a variety of health issues.

The stores also receive clothing that is torn, stained and overly worn. While these textiles can’t be resold in the store, funds are generated by selling them to cloth graders who turn them into rags, sell to buyers who make upholstery stuffing and carpet padding.

Every effort is made to recycle non-sellable items with eco-friendly suppliers.

Most of the time electronics need to be in working order to be donated.

Other charities shy away from accepting large furniture due to the risks associated with volunteers or employees moving the heavy items and they are difficult for people to fit into their vehicles.

Items that cannot be resold, reused or recycled cost the charity funds to dispose of, which defeats the purpose of collecting donations.

Advice for those looking to donate include sorting through donations carefully and if you are unsure if an item is acceptable, contact the charity you are looking to donate it to.

Don’t head to the landfill immediately after an item is refused for donation as there are plenty of options when it comes to recycling or donating:

• The Ontario SPCA accepts donations of blankets, towels and unwearable textiles.
• York Region municipalities are partnering with organizations like Diabetes Canada to operate a textile recycling program.
• York Region waste depots accept electronics to recycle.
• JRCC Furniture Depot in Vaughan collects housewares, indoor furniture, medical/home-care supplies and equipment.
• Visit York.ca for a handy list of organizations you can donate to, locations and what items they accept.
• Try using resale apps to find a home for the item. You never know what people are looking for.
• Dispose of hazardous materials in the proper manner at one of the many depots across York Region.