A charity shop worker has branded a common item that’s regularly donated to the store as “trash” and “absolutely ridiculous”, urging people to simply throw it in the bin instead
A charity shop volunteer has called on people to stop donating one popular and common household item, labelling it “absolutely ridiculous” and “trash”.
Charity shops are a firm favourite for fashion enthusiasts seeking one-of-a-kind, affordable pieces while helping to ease the environmental strain caused by fast fashion. These stores typically stock a decent mix of goods, from clothing, footwear and jewellery to books, decorative items, furniture and beyond.
There’s no shortage of choice for those looking to save money while backing a worthwhile cause, or for those simply hunting down essential bargains amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Many people also pass on their unwanted belongings to charity shops, freeing up space at home while enabling other shoppers to snap up cheaper buys.
Charity shop volunteer Vanessa, who shares content online as The Lit Spirit, posted a TikTok video to highlight the unusable and unsellable donations regularly dropped off at the shop – makeup and cosmetics.
“This is just some of the stuff that we in charity shops have to deal with,” Vanessa explained before panning the camera to reveal a box crammed with used eyeshadow palettes, lip balms, makeup sponges, lip pencils, eyeliners and more.
Vanessa went on: “How do you think that we can resell this? Like, I’m sorry, this isn’t even the worst kind of donations that we receive.”
She then held up a well-worn makeup brush to the camera, its bristles caked in product, and sarcastically said: “Yep, definitely gonna be selling that. Absolutely, wow.”
Vanessa proceeded to bin some of the donations, and added: “Absolutely ridiculous.”
Overlaying the footage, she included text stating: “Please stop donating tat. Your trash is not our treasure.”
In the comments section, fellow TikTok users were eager to share their opinions. One person said: “Surely it’s easier for them to chuck it in the bin, rather than drop it off at your shop??”
Another replied: “It’s well known, people take things to charity shops to rid themselves of the guilt of being wasteful”.
A third said: “someone at my charity shop donated a bag and there were literal dead slugs in it”.
A fourth commented: “It’s basically fly tipping”.
Someone else shared: “My mother ran a charity shop for 14 years. A guy gave in his grass cuttings in black bags.”
Another theorised: “It’s as if people are scared of the bin, like it’s ok to put useless stuff in a bin.”
And another added: “how are people not embarrassed”.
Why makeup donations aren’t accepted at charity shops
Pre-owned and used makeup and beauty items pose significant hygiene concerns – they can contain germs transferred from the previous owner’s contact, as well as bacteria which can potentially cause infections.
Additionally, these products typically have a limited shelf life of just a few months, and expired items pose a risk of skin irritation.
The British Red Cross outlines items which should not be donated to charity shops, and states: “Please do not donate these items. Disposing of them may cost money and divert funds away from people who need our help.”
It further adds: “We do not sell items that present a hygiene risk in their use or handling.”
Regarding cosmetics it can accept, the charity clarifies: “We can accept new, unused cosmetics, aftershaves and perfumes if they remain sealed in their original packaging.”
