All items · Electrical
Broken or untested electrical items
Also covers: faulty kettle, broken toaster, not working
Why shops refuse it
Shops must ensure electrical goods are safe before sale; many use visual inspection and PAT testing as part of that process. Items that are broken or cannot be checked are normally refused.
What to do instead
Use a retailer take-back point or council small-electricals service for anything with a plug, battery or cable.
Charity by charity
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Can't accept
Barnardo's
General electricals are accepted only if in working order.
Their wording
“Electricals, but must be in working order”
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Can't accept
Cancer Research UK
New items can be sold once PAT tested. Also rejects items with a 2-pin plug or without a double-insulated logo on the plug.
Their wording
“Used mains operated electricals not PAT tested via current process”
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Can't accept
Claire House Children's Hospice
broad category rule
Blanket exclusion of electrical items, though brand-new factory-sealed hard drives, SD cards or USB sticks are excepted.
Their wording
“Electrical items”
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Can't accept
Cornwall Hospice Care
Also devices missing correct power cord or remote
Their wording
“Any electrical item with excess rust, broken parts or exposed wiring”
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Can't accept
Dogs Trust
Appliances without instructions are not accepted.
Their wording
“appliances without instructions”
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Can't accept
FARA Charity Shops
Electricals can only be sold if tested to British Standard or European equivalent; accepted items are PAT tested before sale.
Their wording
“only sell electrical items that have been tested and meet legal safety requirements of the British Standard or European equivalent”
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Can't accept
Phyllis Tuckwell
broad category rule
No electrical items of any kind currently accepted
Their wording
“Unfortunately we are currently unable to accept any electrical items or suitcases.”
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Can't accept
Sense Scotland
Their wording
“we do not accept broken bric-a-brac or damaged electrical items”
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Can't accept
St Christopher's Hospice
Blanket age cutoff for electricals
Their wording
“Electrical items older than 10 years old”
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Check first
Acorns Children's Hospice
Small electricals only accepted in good working condition and boxed as new.
Their wording
“Small electricals in good working condition and boxed as new”
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Check first
Dorothy House
Electricals only accepted with a visible CE/UKCE label; personal electrical items and hardwired items not accepted at all
Their wording
“we can only accept donated items, such as toys and furniture pieces, which have a visible CE mark or fire safety label”
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Check first
Overgate Hospice
Personal appliances (shavers, foot spas) only accepted if unused and in sealed box.
Their wording
“Personal appliances such as shavers, foot spas (unless unused in sealed box)”
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Check first
Oxfam
Most shops don't take mains-powered electrical goods, but a few shops do accept them - check with your local shop before donating.
Their wording
“Electrical goods that run off the mains (a few shops do accept these, so please check before donating)”
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Check first
Princess Alice Hospice
Personal appliances such as shavers and foot spas only accepted if unused and in original sealed box
Their wording
“Personal appliances such as shavers, foot spas, etc (unless unused and in with original sealed box)”
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Check first
Samaritans
Unless new or sealed; covers any electrical item with a plug.
Their wording
“Electrical items (i.e. with a plug)”
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Check first
Save the Children
broad category rule
Exception: accepted at selected stores — donors are told to check first.
Their wording
“unable to accept electrical goods (except in selected stores - please check first)”
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Check first
Shaw Trust
All electricals need staff pre-approval and must pass PAT safety and functionality testing.
Their wording
“Electrical items must undergo safety (PAT) and functionality testing”
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Check first
Shelter
Small electricals (lights, lamps, kettles) accepted only at Furniture Shops and only in good condition.
Their wording
“electrical items such as lights, lamps and kettles”
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Check first
St Barnabas Hospice (Lincolnshire)
Not all shops can accept electronic goods due to Health & Safety regulations
Their wording
“not all of our shops can accept electronic goods, due to Health & Safety regulations.”
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Check first
St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
Personal appliances (shavers, foot spas) only accepted mint, unused and sealed.
Their wording
“Personal appliances (shavers, foot spas) unless mint condition, sealed”
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Check first
Woodgreen Pets Charity
Electrical items are only accepted if they are PAT-tested.
Their wording
“Electrical items, providing they are PAT-tested”
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Check first
YMCA (England & Wales)
Electrical items must be in good working order to be accepted.
Their wording
“Electrical items must be in good working order”
Not mentioned in 22 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 Age UK
- Not mentioned British Heart Foundation
- Not mentioned British Red Cross
- Not mentioned Crisis
- Not mentioned DEBRA
- Not mentioned Emmaus
- Not mentioned Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
- Not mentioned Keech Hospice Care
- Not mentioned LOROS Hospice
- Not mentioned Marie Curie
- Not mentioned Octavia Foundation
- Not mentioned PDSA
- Not mentioned Salvation Army (SATCoL)
- Not mentioned Scope
- Not mentioned St Giles Hospice
- Not mentioned St Peter's Hospice
- Not mentioned Sue Ryder
- Not mentioned The Children's Trust
- Not mentioned Traid
- Not mentioned Trinity Hospice (Blackpool)
- Not mentioned Wales Air Ambulance
- Not mentioned Willen Hospice