Charity shop volunteer urges people to stop donating this common item | UK | News
A charity worker has called on members of the public to refrain from donating a particular popular item, calling it “absolutely ridiculous” and “rubbish”.
Charity stores are a favorite haunt for fashionistas looking for different, affordable items while easing fast fashion’s environmental impact. They are often filled with a wide variety of products, from clothing, shoes and accessories to books, trinkets, furniture and more.
There are plenty of options that allow people to shop affordably while supporting a worthy cause or snagging some much-needed bargains amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Many people donate their unwanted items to charity shops, making it easier to organize their homes and helping shoppers make affordable purchases.
Charity volunteer Vanessa, who posts online under the pseudonym The Lit Spirit, shared a video on TikTok highlighting unacceptable and unsellable donations, such as make-up and beauty products they frequently purchase in store.
“These are just some of the things we have to deal with in charity shops,” Vanessa began, before panning the camera to reveal a box full of used eyeshadow palettes, lip balms, makeup sponges, lip liners, eye pencils and more.
Vanessa continued: “How do you think we can resell this? I’m sorry but this isn’t even the worst type of donation we’ve received.”
Later, she showed the camera a badly worn make-up brush with product-covered bristles and said: “Yes, I’m definitely going to sell this. Absolutely, wow.”
Vanessa was later seen throwing some of the donations away. He continued: “Absolutely ridiculous.”
He added the following text over the images: “Please stop donating tattoos. Your trash is not our treasure.”
In the comments section, other TikTok users were quick to voice their opinions. One person asked: “Surely it’s easier for them to throw it in the bin rather than drop it off at your shop?”
Another replied: “It’s well known that people take things to charity shops to escape the guilt of waste.”
A third revealed: “Someone from my charity shop donated a bag and it literally had dead slugs in it.” A fourth said: “This is actually the tipping over of flying.”
Another explained: “My mum ran a charity shop for 14 years. A guy handed out the grass he cut in black bags.”
Someone else asked: “It’s like people are afraid of the trash can, as if it’s okay to throw unnecessary things in the trash.” Another contributed: “How are people not ashamed?”
Why are make-up donations not eligible for charity shops?
Previously used make-up and beauty products are a hygiene concern; It may contain germs from contact with the previous owner’s hands, and the bacteria may cause a possible infection. Additionally, the lifespan of these products typically only lasts a few months; Expired products carry the risk of causing skin reactions. The British Red Cross outlines items that should not be donated to charity, stating: “Please do not donate these items. Destroying them could cost money and divert funds away from people who need our help.” He adds: “We do not sell products that pose a hygiene risk when used or transported.”
Regarding the cosmetics it can accept, the charity explains: “We can accept new, unused cosmetics, aftershaves and perfumes, provided they remain sealed in their original packaging.”
