All items · Electrical
Used or unsealed personal-care electricals
Also covers: electric shaver, shaver, foot spa, epilator, electric toothbrush
Why shops refuse it
Items used directly on the body raise hygiene concerns as well as electrical-safety checks; some shops only accept them unused and sealed.
What to do instead
Unwanted sealed items may suit a hygiene bank. Used electrical versions should go through a WEEE take-back or council recycling route.
Charity by charity
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Can't accept
Acorns Children's Hospice
Their wording
“Personal appliances (shavers, foot spas) unless mint and sealed — Personal appliances such as shavers or foot spas (unless in mint condition and sealed)”
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Can't accept
British Heart Foundation
Their wording
“Personal appliances (electric shavers, foot spas) — unless new and in sealed box”
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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
Their wording
“Personal appliances (shavers, foot spas) unless unused in original sealed box”
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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
Salvation Army (SATCoL)
Their wording
“Personal appliances e.g. shavers, foot spas (unless new in sealed box)”
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Can't accept
Shaw Trust
Their wording
“Unsealed personal care appliances”
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Can't accept
St Barnabas Hospice (Lincolnshire)
Their wording
“Personal appliances (e.g. electric shavers) unless in sealed box”
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Can't accept
St Peter's Hospice
Their wording
“Personal appliances (shavers, foot spas) unless unused and sealed”
-
Can't accept
Sue Ryder
Their wording
“Personal hygiene electrical items (shavers, foot spas)”
-
Can't accept
Trinity Hospice (Blackpool)
Their wording
“Foot spas”
-
Can't accept
Wales Air Ambulance
Their wording
“Personal hygiene electrical items (shavers, foot spas)”
-
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)”
-
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)”
-
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)”
-
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”
Not mentioned in 28 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 Barnardo's
- Not mentioned British Red Cross
- Not mentioned Cancer Research UK
- Not mentioned Crisis
- Not mentioned DEBRA
- Not mentioned Dogs Trust
- Not mentioned Dorothy House
- Not mentioned Emmaus
- Not mentioned FARA Charity Shops
- 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 Oxfam
- Not mentioned PDSA
- Not mentioned Samaritans
- Not mentioned Scope
- Not mentioned Sense Scotland
- Not mentioned Shelter
- Not mentioned St Christopher's Hospice
- Not mentioned St Giles Hospice
- Not mentioned The Children's Trust
- Not mentioned Traid
- Not mentioned Willen Hospice
- Not mentioned Woodgreen Pets Charity
- Not mentioned YMCA (England & Wales)