Why shops refuse it
Looped cords are a child-strangulation hazard, so used blinds (outside original packaging) are widely refused.
What to do instead
New, boxed blinds are usually fine — otherwise recycle at the tip.
Charity by charity
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Can't accept
Cancer Research UK
Their wording
“Blinds without original packaging and safety instructions”
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Can't accept
DEBRA
Only new, still-packaged blinds are accepted.
Their wording
“Blinds that are not new in packing”
-
Can't accept
Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
broad category rule
General furniture is not accepted.
Their wording
“Furniture”
-
Can't accept
Marie Curie
broad category rule
No specific furniture items singled out; the page lists furniture as currently unaccepted.
Their wording
“Furniture.”
-
Can't accept
Overgate Hospice
Their wording
“Blinds with cords”
-
Can't accept
PDSA
broad category rule
Temporary suspension of furniture donations (framed as current, not permanent)
Their wording
“For the time being, we won't be able to accept furniture and have no collections available.”
-
Can't accept
Traid
broad category rule
No furniture or other bulky items — Traid shops handle clothing and textiles only.
Their wording
“duvets, pillows, furniture or other bulky items”
-
Can't accept
Trinity Hospice (Blackpool)
Their wording
“Window/door blinds”
-
Can't accept
Woodgreen Pets Charity
broad category rule
Furniture and other household items are not currently accepted because their collection service is not running.
Their wording
“our collection service is not currently running”
-
Check first
Princess Alice Hospice
Must have a child-safe device (safety chain break, chain tensioning device, breakaway cord connector, cleats or anti-tangle toggles)
Their wording
“Blinds must have a child-safe device”
-
Check first
Scope
broad category rule
Furniture (sofas, bedding, dining tables and chairs) is only accepted at the Wakefield and Grimsby shops.
Their wording
“Our Wakefield and Grimsby shops can also accept: Furniture: sofas, bedding, dining tables and chairs.”
-
Check first
Sue Ryder
Accepted only if unopened, in original packaging with safety instructions included.
Their wording
“roller or venetian blinds (unless in original packaging with safety instructions included)”
-
Check first
Wales Air Ambulance
Only accepted if in original packaging with safety instructions
Their wording
“Roller or venetian blinds (unless in original packaging with safety instructions)”
Not mentioned in 31 charities' guidance
Absence from a charity's list doesn't mean they accept it — it just isn't singled out. Ask your local shop.
- Not mentioned Acorns Children's Hospice
- Not mentioned Age UK
- Not mentioned Barnardo's
- Not mentioned British Heart Foundation
- Not mentioned British Red Cross
- Not mentioned Claire House Children's Hospice
- Not mentioned Cornwall Hospice Care
- Not mentioned Crisis
- Not mentioned Dogs Trust
- Not mentioned Dorothy House
- Not mentioned Emmaus
- Not mentioned FARA Charity Shops
- Not mentioned Keech Hospice Care
- Not mentioned LOROS Hospice
- Not mentioned Octavia Foundation
- Not mentioned Oxfam
- Not mentioned Phyllis Tuckwell
- Not mentioned Salvation Army (SATCoL)
- Not mentioned Samaritans
- Not mentioned Save the Children
- Not mentioned Sense Scotland
- Not mentioned Shaw Trust
- Not mentioned Shelter
- Not mentioned St Barnabas Hospice (Lincolnshire)
- Not mentioned St Christopher's Hospice
- Not mentioned St Giles Hospice
- Not mentioned St Peter's Hospice
- Not mentioned St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
- Not mentioned The Children's Trust
- Not mentioned Willen Hospice
- Not mentioned YMCA (England & Wales)