Donations

We are a family owned local business since 2018!  We recycle, re-purpose or donate all items before dumping! Landfill is the last option!  We are San Diego's #1 environmentally friendly Junk removal service.

Donating to thrift stores supports local community programs, reduces landfill waste by giving items a second life, and can even be an environmental win by decreasing demand for new production. Surprisingly, stores often accept more than just clothing, including items like candles, unused art supplies, and some electronics, but it's important to check specific donation guidelines first. A large percentage of donations go to support charitable missions, although the majority of clothes are not sold on the store floor. 

Giving Back to the Community

Proceeds Fund Programs: The revenue generated from sales at non-profit thrift stores directly funds community programs like job training, housing assistance, food pantries, and addiction recovery services.

• Affordable Essentials: Thrift stores provide a crucial service by offering essential items like clothing, furniture, and school supplies at low prices for families on tight budgets.

  
  

• Unexpected Job Training: Sorting, pricing, and organizing donations provide valuable job training and employment opportunities for individuals facing barriers to work, which is a core part of many organizations' missions, such as Goodwill's.

Environmental impact

Massive Waste Diversion: Thrift organizations divert billions of pounds of goods from landfills annually. For example, Goodwill diverted over 3.3 billion pounds of usable goods in a single year.

• Water and Energy Savings: Choosing a secondhand garment over a new one can save hundreds to thousands of gallons of water (producing a single pair of jeans requires about 1,800 gallons) and reduce carbon emissions by around 25% on average.

  
  

• Recycling Beyond Resale: Items that can't be sold in stores are often recycled into other useful materials. Unsellable textiles can become industrial rags, insulation, or carpet padding, while metals and electronics are broken down for raw materials.

  
  

• Upcycling Creativity: Some thrift stores have programs where volunteers or staff upcycle damaged items. Old picture frames might become in-store signage, and fabric scraps can be sewn into quilts or craft supplies.

Surprising Facts & Statistics

• Only a Fraction Sells In-Store: Only about 20-30% of donated clothing actually makes it to the sales floor of a local thrift store. The rest is channeled into other avenues like recycling, secondary markets, or export.

  
  

• You Can Donate Vehicles: Many charities and secondhand shops accept vehicles, running or not. They can be sold for parts, used for transportation of goods, or even given to a family in need.

  
  

• Hidden Treasures Found: Thrift store employees have reported finding everything from love letters from the late 1800s to a vintage Mickey Mouse gas mask from WWII and even a WWII Japanese officer's sword among the donations.

  
  

• Items are Exported Globally: The majority of unsold secondhand clothing from the U.S. is baled and exported to other countries, where it is either sold in local markets or ends up as waste, which can have mixed economic impacts on local textile industries.

  
  

• You Can Get Tax Benefits: Donors can claim a tax deduction for clothing and household items that are in good condition if they itemize their deductions. You'll receive a receipt at the time of donation.

  
  

• Quality Matters: Donating clean, functional items is critical. Items that are dirty, broken, or stained often cost the charity money to dispose of, which takes funds away from their mission.