All items · Electrical
Waste-disposal units
Also covers: waste disposal, garbage disposal, sink disposal, food waste disposer
Why shops refuse it
These units are hardwired and plumbed in, and shops cannot easily verify a removed unit is complete, hygienic and safe.
What to do instead
Ask the installer or your council about electrical recycling; clean metal components may be accepted separately at a recycling centre.
Charity by charity
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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
“Waste disposal units”
-
Can't accept
Dorothy House
Their wording
“Waste disposal units”
-
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
Princess Alice Hospice
Their wording
“Waste disposal units”
-
Can't accept
St Barnabas Hospice (Lincolnshire)
Their wording
“Waste disposal units”
-
Can't accept
St Giles Hospice
Their wording
“Waste disposal units”
-
Can't accept
St Peter's Hospice
Their wording
“Waste disposal units”
-
Can't accept
The Children's Trust
Their wording
“Waste disposal units”
-
Check first
British Heart Foundation
General white goods (fridges, washing machines, cookers) are typically only accepted/sold at BHF's dedicated Furniture & Electrical (Home) Stores, not regular shops. Not accepted anywhere: built-in kitchen appliances, tumble dryers, washer dryers, waste disposal units, ovens with glass doors, and specific recalled models (selected Whirlpool washing machines 2019-2020, selected Beko fridge/freezers).
Their wording
“General white goods (fridges, washing machines, cookers) are typically only accepted/sold at BHF's dedicated Furniture & Electrical (Home) Stores, not regular shops. Not accepted anywhere: built-in kitchen appliances, tumble dryers, washer dryers, waste disposal units, ovens with glass doors, and specific recalled models (selected Whirlpool washing machines 2019-2020, selected Beko fridge/freezers).”
-
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)”
Not mentioned in 33 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 Red Cross
- Not mentioned Cancer Research UK
- Not mentioned Crisis
- Not mentioned DEBRA
- Not mentioned Dogs Trust
- 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 Overgate Hospice
- Not mentioned Oxfam
- Not mentioned PDSA
- Not mentioned Salvation Army (SATCoL)
- Not mentioned Samaritans
- Not mentioned Scope
- Not mentioned Sense Scotland
- Not mentioned Shaw Trust
- Not mentioned Shelter
- Not mentioned St Christopher's Hospice
- Not mentioned St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
- Not mentioned Sue Ryder
- Not mentioned Traid
- Not mentioned Trinity Hospice (Blackpool)
- Not mentioned Wales Air Ambulance
- Not mentioned Willen Hospice
- Not mentioned Woodgreen Pets Charity
- Not mentioned YMCA (England & Wales)