Where To Donate Used Clothes, Books And Toys In Singapore

It’s no secret that people in Singapore are huge lifestyle consumers – our homes are often packed to the brim with clothes, books, toys and other knick-knacks. If you’re looking at your storeroom and fretting over what to do with all that stuff you’ve accumulated, you’ll be relieved to know there are numerous organisations and initiatives that gladly let you donate used clothes, books and toys. Before diving into the various donation spots across the city-state, it's important to discuss the expectations regarding the condition of these items.

When considering donating pre-loved items, it's crucial to ensure that the items are in good condition. While the definition of "good condition" may vary between different organisations, a general guideline is to donate items that are clean, functional and free from significant wear and tear.

Clothing:
- Cleanliness: Ensure that clothes are freshly laundered before donating.

- Intact: Check for any rips, tears, or stains. Avoid donating items with major damage.

Books:
- Minimal wear: Books with minimal signs of wear are preferable. Avoid donating books with missing pages, excessive writing, or severe damage to the covers.

- Age-appropriate: Donate books that are suitable for the intended audience, whether it's children, teenagers or adults.

Toys:

- Clean and sanitised: Clean toys thoroughly to ensure they are free from dirt, dust and germs.

- Complete sets: If the toy comes with multiple pieces or parts, make sure all components are included.

- Safety first: Avoid donating toys with sharp edges, small detachable parts, or those that pose a safety risk.

Now that you have a better understanding of the expectations for donating pre-loved items, here are some places in Singapore where you can contribute to the community:

Books Beyond Borders

Books Beyond Borders is a social enterprise bookstore that helps raise money for girls’ education in Nepal. Since 2019, they’ve given back over $40,000 and rehomed over 20,000 books in Singapore.

What kind of donations do they accept?

As their name suggests, this bookstore collects and sells gently used books to raise money for education in Nepal. They accept a wide variety of books, from novels and memoirs to self-help titles. However, they do not accept certain types of books, including travel guides, dictionaries, magazines, cookbooks, and more. Please note that all books must be in good condition; books with brown spots, loose pages or spines, or water damage are not accepted. 

How to donate?

They offer free doorstep pickups for 20 or more book donations. Chat with their website chatbot to schedule or leave a message, and they’ll reply within one business day. Click here for more information. 

Cloop

What kind of donations do they accept?

To reduce fashion overconsumption and waste, Cloop collects good-condition fashion apparel at their headquarters and sorting facility. People can donate these items through white collection boxes, which are meant specifically for clean, high-quality fashion pieces that can be reused through swap events, thrift pop-ups, and other community programmes. They have also partnered with an ISO-accredited recycler to install the iconic yellow textile recycling bins nationwide, which accept a wider range of clean and dry textiles (new or used) for reuse, repurposing, and recirculation internationally.

The white collection boxes accept clothes (for women, men, and children), bags, shoes, and various accessories, all of which must be clean and in good condition. The yellow textile recycling bins accept clothes, bags, shoes, accessories, and general household textiles such as bedsheets and plushies. They also accept clean bras and undergarments.

With 5,700 tonnes of clothing collected through the yellow textile recycling bins and $21,000 donated to 26 beneficiaries, Cloop continues to make a meaningful impact on the community.

How to donate?

YYou can drop off your clothing at any of Cloop’s textile recycling bins across the island. Click here for more information. If you are looking to shop sustainably, keep an eye out for Cloop’s regular fashion swap event and thrift opportunities at their open wardrobe, where you can find a wide selection of pre-loved clothes. Check out the locations and details here.

Dignity Mama

Dignity Mama provides caregivers and young adults with special needs the opportunity to start small businesses. Through a steady supply of zero-cost products, the kiosks offer a sustainable and effective way for young adults with special needs to gain basic entrepreneurial skills with the support of their caregivers.

What kind of donations do they accept?

Located across major hospitals on the island, there are five small kiosks selling pre-loved books and magazines donated by the public. They accept pre-loved children’s books, adult fiction and non-fiction, as well as magazines that are in good condition. Please note that only Dignity Mama Ng Teng Fong, NUH, and the Project Dignity office accept book drop-offs. Books in poor condition, with controversial content, or outdated are not accepted.

How to donate? 

Drop them a message here with details of the books you’d like to donate and choose from two drop-off locations.

ItsRainingRaincoats

ItsRainingRaincoats is a Singapore charity that aims to build bridges of integration between migrant workers and residents of Singapore. They work to improve workers’ welfare through food and care pack distributions, as well as by collecting pre-loved items to support their daily lives.

What kind of donations do they accept?

They accept a wide range of in-kind donations, from clothes and shoes to washing machines and refrigerators. Refer to this full list of items they accept and reject.

How to donate? 

You can walk in and drop off your items at their main office or these satellite locations. For the satellite locations, please contact their volunteers via the WhatsApp numbers provided in the link to arrange a convenient drop-off time. For bulk donations via delivery, items can only be sent to the main office on weekdays, except Wednesdays. Please plan for your own manpower to load and unload donations, as the team consists of only two people, and notify them at least two days before your intended delivery date if you plan to drop off bulk donations or use a courier. More information can be found here.

Metta Welfare Association

Inspired by The Great Compassionate Vows of The Medicine Buddha, Metta Welfare Association aims to provide social services for the community, regardless of race or religion. They are dedicated to delivering social service programmes for individuals and families by collaborating with our donors, partners, vendors and community organisations.

What kind of donations do they accept?

To reduce unnecessary wastage, they only accept in-kind item donations and groceries that match their current needs. Once accepted, the items become the property of the Metta Welfare Association. Based on their requirements, they decide whether to use the items, distribute them to beneficiaries or centres, transfer them to other social service agencies or external parties, or dispose of items that are not suitable. They do not accept toys, belts, books, or household items and appliances. For the full list of items they accept, click here.

How to donate? 

You can deliver the items to their headquarters. Before delivering, you are required to notify them through their office phone line, 9757 9714, and state the item details and the expected delivery date and time.

MINDS Shops

With a myriad of social enterprise programmes established since 2001, Minds supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as their families. All net revenue earned from the sale of their products and services goes directly to their beneficiaries, helping to empower individuals with special needs to become confident and independent.

What kind of donations do they accept?

The MINDS Shops accept anything that is clean and usable, including apparel no more than two years old, accessories, furniture, as well as brand-new electronics, books, and toys. All glassware and sharp items should be wrapped in newspaper and/or bubble wrap, with “Fragile” or “Sharp” clearly marked on the wrapping. This ensures the safety of MINDS trainees and allows trainers to handle these items with care during collection and sorting.

All proceeds from the sale of donated items go to MINDS trainees as a form of allowance.

How to donate?

You can hand your packed donation items to their staff or place them in the collection bin outside the MINDS Shop during operating hours. For bulky items, it’s recommended to contact them first to check suitability before making a trip. For more information, click here.

New2U Thrift Shop

New2U is all about thrifting for a cause. Every dollar raised goes towards promoting gender equality, eliminating gender stereotypes, and supporting the women and girls under their care, including victims of domestic violence.

What kind of donations do they accept?

They accept pre-loved clothes, accessories, shoes, bags, toys and board games (no soft toys), kitchenware (no appliances) and home decoration items (no furniture). Do note that all of the items need to be in good, reusable condition.

How to donate?

You may drop off your items at the SCWO Centre at 96 Waterloo Street. Place the bags into the donation cage and be sure to cover it with the black cloth when you’re done. Due to space constraints, only two bags or boxes per person can be accepted. Find out more here.

You can either head to any of their drop-off locations to drop off the items you'd like to donate or for a flat $15 fee, you can arrange for a pick-up service. The latter is applicable for 200 items and above only. For more information, click here. 

Red Cross Singapore

The Singapore Red Cross Shops sell a wide variety of brand-new and pre-loved products, including fashion apparel, gadgets, snacks, cosmetics, and more. All proceeds from these sales are directed towards supporting local humanitarian services.

What kind of donations do they accept?

You can donate a wide range of items, from unopened cosmetics, non-perishable food, clothing, stationery and electronics and appliances. Generally, they don’ accept religious, offensive or potentially dangerous items, such as knives or flammable gas canisters. Alcohol, tobacco, drugs, medication, and any other contraband or illegal items are also not accepted. Do make sure that your donations are clean, usable and in sellable condition.

How to donate? 

You can drop your items off at the Red Cross Training Campsite. They typically do not provide doorstep collection for in-kind donations. However, in exceptional cases, a minimum collection fee of $60 will apply. Payment is to be made via PayNow upon successful collection. Find more information here. 

Safe Place

Founded in partnership with Lakeside Family Services, Safe Place provides support to expectant mums who need help with everything from temporary accommodation to critical life skills and referrals to other support partners.

What kind of donations do they accept?

They accept donations such as diapers, baby formula, baby bath products, and nursing accessories. Please note that all consumables, including baby food, diapers, and wet wipes, must be unopened and have a shelf life of more than six months. Pre-loved toys, teats, milk bottles, and teethers are not accepted.

How to donate?

Send a WhatsApp message to 8891 4214 with details and photos of the items you intend to donate, and the team will respond within five working days. More information on Safe Place can be found here.

Share At Door Step (SADS)

Be it a dress that no longer fits, childhood storybooks, or long-unused stationery, Share At Door Step ensures your items are delivered to a place where they can be given a new life.

What kind of donations do they accept?

This online platform acts as a middleman between you and a network of charitable social organisations, and all donations get channelled to the most appropriate organisation depending on the items being donated and quantity. In general, they are looking for reusable items such as clothes, toys, shoes, bags and stationery. 

How to donate?

You can either pay a convenience fee and arrange for a pickup at a location of your choice, or you can drop off the donations yourself at the relevant charities or organisations based on your donation items. For more information, click here. 

Thryft

Started by students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2019, Thryft was founded with the goal of creating a circular economy for goods and harnessing the potential of e-commerce for preloved items. When you donate your items to Thryft, you’re not just decluttering, you are also making a difference, as a portion of their profits goes towards non-profit organisations and initiatives addressing urgent environmental and social issues.

What kind of donations do they accept?

This online thrift store accepts pre-loved books, clothes, vinyl records, toys, and much more. You can trade in your items for Thryft credits via a gift card. These credits can be used to make purchases on the Thryft store, or you can choose to donate them, and Thryft will in turn donate your credits as cash to nonprofit organisations. 

*Do take note Thryft Credits cannot be exchanged for cash.

How to donate?

You can either head to any of their drop-off locations to donate your items, or for a flat $12 fee per box, you can arrange a pick-up service. Each box will require its own shipping label, and each label can accommodate up to 10 kg of items. Do note that this service is temporarily unavailable due to relocation but will resume shortly. For more information, click here.