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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask why charity shops no longer accept "Rags"?

60 replies

PippaXo · 26/03/2025 07:03

My charity shop used to accept clothes not good enough to wear anymore as they could put them for recycling to be made into rags. I understand that they used to generate a small amount of money from this.

They have now stopped accepting clothes for recycling to make rags.
I was just wondering why? What has changed?

OP posts:
Haveanaiceday · 27/03/2025 06:58

If charity shops have stopped accepting it then I guess pretty soon the large bins may also be discontinued.

SoOxon · 27/03/2025 07:59

We put clean old clothes, knockers, bras, socks, jumpers, towels, for rags,
in a roll top metal bin outside our local Fire Station.
None of the 5 CS in the town accept ragman donations any more, short as
they are of space.
Many of the clothes on the rails should be ragged, bobbly old jumpers especially.

Lovelysummerdays · 27/03/2025 08:03

HelenWheels · 27/03/2025 06:50

i always use salvation army bins, i did carry round books in the back of my car recently and eventually donated to a charity shop but felt awkward doing so - out of touch

Edited
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I give my books to a local supermarket (Co op) they have a bookcase next to the notice board. Just pop the books on, there is a charity bucket with a 50p a book if you can. It’s really well used. I also get books from there and theres a healthy turnover .

MissMarplesNiece · 27/03/2025 08:14

There's an animal charity where I live that takes books & DVDs to sell to one of those book buying Web companies - Magpie or whatever - to raise funds.

BeHere · 27/03/2025 08:33

mrspick · 26/03/2025 22:02

Why is it "Snooty" to have their own hangers? Charity shops usually have their own so there is a uniform look in the shop. It amazes me that people think they are entitled to drop off whatever they please and if the charity dares to say "Thanks but no thanks" they are branded ungrateful etc. Would you rather the charity pays to dispose of your unwanted items then you get rid yourself?

Show quote history

That's exactly what some people want, yes. They've got very used to the idea of charity shops as a repository for their unwanted crap with a touch of feelgood on top.

LollyLand · 27/03/2025 08:35

Charity shops are much more expensive these days so a lot more picky.

It costs them to get rid of junk.

offmynut · 27/03/2025 09:03

I dont use charity shops anymore they are far to expensive now.
I can buy new but cheaper.

neilyoungismyhero · 27/03/2025 09:08

0ohLarLar · 26/03/2025 07:57

There is something very off putting about charities inspecting people's offerings and announcing loudly in front of customers 'Oh, we can't accept that

People need to stop using charity shops as a way to get rid of rubbish guilt free.

Ask yourself - why are you donating the garment? Is it saleable? If you don't want it any more, why would someone else?

Of course sometimes people are passing on items that no longer fit, styles that don't suit them any longer etc.

But if you are trying to palm dated, stained, heavily worn items that no one will buy off your vinted account, you are just creating work for the charity to dispose of.

Absolutely this. The disgusting bags of crap we receive randomly are dreadful. Sorting through this sort of rubbish is truly awful.

GlitteryShaker · 27/03/2025 09:15

I think the decent stuff goes on Vinted and EBay . Can’t say I blame them . I think the days of getting a true bargain are rare with the advent of phones as items can be looked up online .

Gazelda · 27/03/2025 19:07

offmynut · 27/03/2025 09:03

I dont use charity shops anymore they are far to expensive now.
I can buy new but cheaper.

Which adds to the problem referred to many times on this thread. Fast fashion. Low quality goods. The landfill mountain grows and grows …

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