All items · Sharps & weapons
Knives and bladed items
Also covers: kitchen knives, knife block, machete, axe
Why shops refuse it
Age restrictions and staff safety mean many shops refuse blades entirely; others sell kitchen knives with checks — it varies.
What to do instead
Police stations and some councils run knife-surrender bins; wrap blades thoroughly if taking them to the tip.
Charity by charity
-
Can't accept
British Heart Foundation
Described as items 'with potential for harm'.
Their wording
“Pointed items (kitchen knives, blades, daggers, swords)”
-
Can't accept
British Red Cross
Butcher's knives, flick knives and sports knives.
Their wording
“butcher's knives, flick knives, sports knives”
-
Can't accept
Cancer Research UK
Also sharp gardening tools and scissors.
Their wording
“Any kind of knife (excl. cutlery)”
-
Can't accept
Cornwall Hospice Care
Their wording
“Knives”
-
Can't accept
DEBRA
Their wording
“Weapons & knives of any type”
-
Can't accept
Emmaus
Their wording
“Guns, knives and weapons, replica or otherwise”
-
Can't accept
Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
Their wording
“Sharp items (scissors, knives, etc.)”
-
Can't accept
Octavia Foundation
Their wording
“Sharp knives or swords”
-
Can't accept
Overgate Hospice
Their wording
“Bladed items”
-
Can't accept
Princess Alice Hospice
Their wording
“Knives”
-
Can't accept
Salvation Army (SATCoL)
Their wording
“Knives of any kind”
-
Can't accept
Shaw Trust
Their wording
“sharp items”
-
Can't accept
Shelter
Their wording
“knives of any sort”
-
Can't accept
St Barnabas Hospice (Lincolnshire)
Only table knives sold as part of a cutlery set are accepted
Their wording
“Knives (other than table knives sold as part of a cutlery set)”
-
Can't accept
St Christopher's Hospice
Their wording
“Knives, firearms (including replicas), explosives-including fireworks or any weapons or sharp objects”
-
Can't accept
St Giles Hospice
Their wording
“Sharp knives”
-
Can't accept
St Peter's Hospice
Their wording
“Knives”
-
Can't accept
St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
Includes scissors.
Their wording
“Knives and Scissors”
-
Can't accept
Sue Ryder
Excludes cutlery; also excludes sharp gardening and hand tools.
Their wording
“sharp knives (excluding cutlery)”
-
Can't accept
The Children's Trust
Their wording
“Weapons, knives, swords, sword stocks, crossbows.”
-
Can't accept
Trinity Hospice (Blackpool)
Their wording
“Knifes/crossbows/guns/ammunition/swords”
-
Can't accept
Wales Air Ambulance
broad category rule
Dangerous items generally not accepted for legal and safety reasons
Their wording
“We cannot sell dangerous items for legal and safety reasons.”
-
Check first
Dorothy House
Only accepted as part of a complete cutlery set
Their wording
“Knives of any kind unless in a complete cutlery set”
-
Check first
Samaritans
Unless new or sealed; covers knives and scissors.
Their wording
“Knives and scissors”
Not mentioned in 20 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 Claire House Children's Hospice
- Not mentioned Crisis
- Not mentioned Dogs Trust
- Not mentioned FARA Charity Shops
- Not mentioned Keech Hospice Care
- Not mentioned LOROS Hospice
- Not mentioned Marie Curie
- Not mentioned Oxfam
- Not mentioned PDSA
- Not mentioned Phyllis Tuckwell
- Not mentioned Save the Children
- Not mentioned Scope
- Not mentioned Sense Scotland
- Not mentioned Traid
- Not mentioned Willen Hospice
- Not mentioned Woodgreen Pets Charity
- Not mentioned YMCA (England & Wales)