Do you have bed pillows you are no longer using? You may think Goodwill is the perfect place to recycle your used pillows, but I found out this is not necessarily true.
They actually have very strict rules on what they will and will not take. Donation locations do take some pillows, but not others.
Can You Donate Pillows to Goodwill?
Not all Goodwill locations will take pillow donations. Their policy is in place due to hygiene concerns. Pillows are personal use items that can harbor dust mites, skin cells, body oils, and other allergens.
These substances are not always completely removed, even with a thorough cleaning. Because of this danger, the organization usually does not accept any used pillows to maintain health and safety standards.
Some locations of Goodwill Industries do accept decorative pillows. The throw pillows on your couch may be acceptable. It’s always best to check with your local store for specific guidelines and policies.
Gently-Used Donations
Goodwill Industries is a non-profit retailer established in Boston, MA in 1902. They take gently used donations and then sell the products at their stores. They sell everything from appliances to clothes, children’s games, and everything in between.
Step 1: Retail
The process is surprisingly complicated, however. It starts when donations are dropped off at a store, or a donation center. From there, workers will go through the items.
Anything that isn’t sellable is thrown away. You cannot donate broken items. If they aren’t in good shape, avoid taking them, as it costs the company money to dispose of them. It’s just more work for them.
Once they have been sorted, they will be placed in a store. Most stores will leave items on the floor for a set amount of time, often one month. Then, they will send any items that aren’t sold to an outlet.
Step 2: Outlets
Outlets work in one of two ways. Items are either sold for a low price, typically $0.99, or they are sold by the pound. Due to the low price tag, this encourages people to buy the items.
Step 3: Auctions
If items aren’t bought at the outlet, they are sent to outlets. Items are placed into bins, and bids are placed. The bidders don’t know what’s in the bins. These can be a great deal.
Step 4: Recyclers
If items aren’t sold at auctions, they move to the last stage in the process. They are given to recyclers. Textiles, for example, are typically sent back into the second-hand market, or shipped to other countries. These countries have a higher demand for used clothing and other textiles than the U.S.
The non-profit organization has lots of programs to help local communities and uses the profits from donations and sales to fund these programs.
They vary from region to region, but there are some common programs. The organization focuses on providing employment and job training for those in need. This includes those with a physical or mental disability, lack of job history, or lack of education.
Some people will become employed by the organization itself. However, many workers undergo education or job training and then get jobs elsewhere. The non-profit company works with local companies to place those in their programs into jobs or careers.
What Can You Donate?
As mentioned earlier, there are some strict donation guidelines. Before you gather a donation, knowing what will be accepted is a good idea. As a non-profit organization selling and distributing consumer products, they follow laws and regulations established by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The Basics
Many gently-used second-hand items will be accepted as long as they are in usable condition. Items that are broken or soiled will be disposed of. Food, furniture, and other problematic products are not acceptable. Items that are considered dangerous, like weapons or flammable materials, are rejected.
Now that we know the basics, let’s look at some of the specifics.
TVs and Electronics
Most electronics are accepted as long as they are in good condition. However, they cannot accept tube TVs. The store isn’t an option if you have a TV that’s not a flat screen.
Clothing and Textiles
Clothing and textiles are accepted as long as they aren’t soiled or stained.
Clothing and outerwear of all sizes are always welcome. Bedspreads, curtains, Venetian blinds, window blinds, and blankets are popular donations as well.
Area rugs are welcome, but wall-to-wall carpeting or flooring isn’t.
Houseware
Houseware is also popular. They range from decor items to pots and pans to Tupperware. You can take them to your local store as long as they’re in good condition.
Large Items
The non-profit organization accepts some large items but not others. As mentioned earlier, they will not take mattresses. However, they will receive bed frames.
Most will take furniture. However, furniture that is dirty or damaged isn’t accepted. A scratched coffee table is probably acceptable. A sofa with a hole in the cushion probably isn’t.
They typically don’t take large appliances, like refrigerators or washing machines.
What To Do With Unwanted Pillows?
You can take your decorative or throw pillows to locations, but what do you do with your old sleeping pillows? Do you stick them in the back of your closet and pretend they aren’t there? Toss them in the trash can? There has to be a better way, right?
Recycle
Like every other product, pillows do have a shelf life. If your pillow has reached the end of the road, you still have options.
One way to properly dispose of old pillows is to contact the American Textile Recycling Service. They deconstruct and recycle textiles. You can find a drop-off location near you, and rest easy knowing your pillows are being disposed of properly.
You can also use a service like Terracycle. This service is expensive, at $130 for a box. However, it allows you to recycle many household items that aren’t typically recyclable.
If your pillow is made from organic material, you can use it as compost. Feathers and other organic materials can be composted, and the outside of the pillow can be used for cleaning rags.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Goodwill have a pick-up service?
Each location has its own services and rules, but most offer a home pick-up service. However, home pick-ups may only handle large or difficult-to-transport items. You’ll need to contact your local store for the policy regarding home pick-ups in your area.
What are alternatives to Goodwill?
The non-profit organization’s biggest competitor is the Salvation Army. Habitat for Humanity also has stores and accepts large items and appliances not accepted elsewhere.
Of course, thrift stores are an option as well. You can make a small amount of money by selling items to thrift or second-hand stores.
Are donations tax deductible?
Yes, your donations are tax-deductible. This is true whether you are donating unwanted items or money. You can deduct the fair market value when it comes to donated items.
Can I put pillows in the recycling bin?
No. Unless your area has a textile recycling service, you can’t place pillows in the recycling.
What items does Goodwill not accept near me?
Donation policies can vary by location, so it’s always a good idea to check with your local store. They can provide specific information on what items they accept and suggest alternative ways to recycle items they cannot take.
What items does Goodwill not accept in Ohio?
Some of the items generally not accepted in Ohio include:
- Hazardous materials
- Large appliances
- Mattresses, box springs
- Construction materials
- Cathode-ray tube-style TVs and computer monitors
- Non-working or damaged electronics
- Automobile parts
- Weapons and explosives (including pellet guns and BB guns)
- Personal care items
- Baby equipment (such as car seats) that may not meet current safety standards
- Broken or soiled items
It’s best to contact your local Ohio collection center for the most current list of items they cannot accept.
What items does Goodwill not accept in Texas?
Specific acceptance policies can vary from one location to another in Texas. Still, most donation sites cannot accept items that do not meet current safety standards, or because of hygiene or legal concerns. They also do not take items for other reasons, such as they cannot be repaired, lack of demand, and/or garbage disposal fees.
Conclusion
Thrift stores usually exclude the acceptance of used pillows because of hygiene and health concerns. However, if you have new or unused pillows in their original packaging, some locations might take them. Since policies vary by location, contacting your local store for their guidelines is best.
