How to donate old small appliances/electronics

[lazypucker]

I have some small household appliances/electronics that I don't use anymore but still perfectly functional.

Does anyone know if there is a place in Calgary to donate them? I know I can take them to Staples for recycling, but it seems like a waste for something that is still functional.

Thanks

[Fuzz]

Calgary Kidney Foundation will come pick them up with clothes and other small appliances.

[ah123]

Calgary Drop In centre will take small appliances: https://calgarydropin.ca/get-involved/give/

Women In Need society will accept small appliances as well: https://www.winsyyc.ca/donate-goods

[SportsJunky]

I don't think Staples takes them anymore. Some Best Buy locations take electronics.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Seconded.

Women In Need Society (W.I.N.S.) takes working small appliances at all their locations.

[DoubleF]

Never underestimate the type of #### Kijiji and Facebook marketplace vagrants will take for free. If the not for profits cannot take them, you'll get free pick up of all sorts of stuff within a few hours to few days if you post it for free on Kijiji or otherwise.

I've also had good success asking friends to see if they or friends of friends could use these things prior to me donating, Kijiji vagrants or dumping.

[DeluxeMoustache]

I have left stuff like that, which are useful, but not worth the hassle of selling (such as an old toaster oven) in the alley, and somebody scoops it up

I like this thread identifying sources like Women in Need, I would like to have better options for functional things than recycling, for sure

[Swift]

You can drop this stuff off at Goodwill too.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Swift

You can drop this stuff off at Goodwill too.

Convenient... but AFAIK, it's starting to seem like Goodwill and Value Village are for profit companies that are ripping people off and giving upper management huge bonuses rather than giving the extra to employees and people in need. I would have said similar not long ago, but lately I've heard stuff like this about these two companies, so I've been more intentional in trying to put it to better organizations.

A true NFP thrift store might not be bad, but IMO if the intention is to put it in the hands of people who truly could use the item, I'd definitely give the drop in and WINS a shot first.


Slightly off topic, but I seemed to recall reading something that said some shelters could desperately use donations of cell phones for individuals who need a phone when they are fleeing. I have 2-3 phones that would work fine for phone calls (iphone 5 and 6). Women's shelter says that it takes nothing used. Anyone know which NFP was asking for them? I don't mind donating through WINS, but if there was and organization that needed it more, I wouldn't mind diverting them there instead sometime in December.

[bizaro86]

The zoo takes used cell phones. I believe they are refurbished and resold with the zoo getting the funds. Not quite what you were looking for but may be another option if nobody locally wants them.