I love a good checklist. 
​
We just presented on the Sustainability Stage at the Minnesota State Fair. At the event, we handed out a declutter checklist to help attendees find items that can be donated. Several participants asked that we publish it, so we are!
There is also a printable version below.

​Happy decluttering :)

Most or all of the items on this list can be donated to nonprofits where they are truly needed. ​

Kitchen
☐      Pots and pans you seldom use
☐      Bakeware and cookie cutters you haven’t used in two years and/or duplicates
☐      Extra and mismatched dishes, silverware, mugs/glasses, and serving ware
☐      Appliances you haven’t used in the past year
☐      Junk drawer: Extra scissors, measuring tape, pens, markers, clips, etc.
☐      Extra jars, bottles, or cans you don’t use
☐      Duplicate or unused utensils
☐      Unused or excess plastic containers
Bathroom
☐      Travel sized shampoo bottles
☐      Surplus or non-matching towels
☐      Unused cups, holders, décor
☐      Unused mirrors, hangers, shelving/stacking, etc.
Bedrooms
☐      Clothes and shoes you haven’t worn in a season
☐      Jewelry you haven’t worn in a season
☐      Clothes and shoes that don’t fit well
☐      Excess hangers, storage
☐      Books you haven’t read or re-read in 3 years
☐      Unused toys, games, and  books
☐      Extra bedding, blankets, sheets
Living
☐    Extra televisions, furniture, lamps
☐      DVDs and CDs you no longer use
Office & Technology
☐      Excess school supplies
☐      Gift cards you haven’t used
☐      Unused computers
☐      Unused cellphones
☐      Unused cameras
☐      Unused electronics (mice, monitors, printers, etc.)
☐      Excess school supplies
☐      Excess folders, files, folios, binders, etc.
Laundry
☐      Extra hangers and baskets you don’t use
Attic/Storage
☐      Décor you haven’t used in a season
☐      Extra furniture you haven’t used
☐      Anything that is broken
Garage
☐      Unused bikes that haven’t been used in a year
☐               Mower/blower: duplicate or unused
☐      Ladders, extra siding, etc., not used in a year
☐      Yard and Garden tools you haven’t used in a season
☐      Power and hand tools you don’t use
Other
☐      Pet supplies you no longer need
☐      Keys from old cars/houses/unknown
☐      Unused glasses
☐      Furniture you no longer use
☐      Instruments you haven’t played in the past year
☐      Seasonal: coats, mittens, boots not used in a year

​Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Repair, Reuse, Regift, Repurpose, Recycle, Rot...
There are a lot of "Rs" and they are all important pieces of living more sustainably.
Focusing on just one thing to apply them to can help keep them in mind for many things.

Let's start with coffee.
​There are so many ways to make enjoying a cup just a little more earth-friendly. 
By focusing on just one item, hopefully, it will help you apply the "R"s more easily and memorably to other things, too!
​

Think about it.
Every choice is very important to the health of the planet. Coffee has a big carbon footprint from the production, water consumption, shipping, roasting, packaging, and brewing. ​Are there other choices that will be just as easy and satisfying for buying or brewing? Could you cut out some coffee in favor of a healthy glass of water or even enjoy growing your own teas?
If you do need that morning cup, read on...

Refuse earth-unfriendly stuff.
Ditch products (and companies) that harm the environment. Consider better options to capsules, pods, and pads that produce a lot of waste. Take a pass on single-use cups, overpackaged convenience items at the cafe', and plastic packaging. Opt for package-free bulk coffee, buying from sustainable growers and stores.

Have enough, not too much.
Do you find you are throwing out 1/2 of a pot or the last bit of your latte because you don't actually drink it all? Order a smaller size or make 1/2 of a pot.

Fix it if it breaks.
​If you've broken a carafe, you know it costs almost as much to buy a new machine. But even if the cost is similar, in the end you end up with a working machine which is what you need. You may even be able find that carafe from a neighbor through nextdoor or FB Marketplace.

Refill your own, buy used equipment, & donate what you don't need.
Use a refillable cup, a filter-less coffee maker, a cloth napkin, a reusable straw....
If you no longer use your coffee machine, mug, or anything else, donate it, give it, or sell it so someone else doesn't have to buy new.

Creatively up-cycle.
Done with your coffee mug or just have too many? Use it as an adorable little planter.  Incidentally, you can also do that with paper cups, too. They work great for indoor planting spring seedlings. There are lots of other ways to up-cycle them in fun, creative ways.

Plant your grounds.
Who knew coffee grounds could be reused for so many things? You can save them for your garden where they make a great soil addition and help keep some pests at bay. They can even be used as grit on icy sidewalks.

The last option.
When you don't have better choices, recycling single-use cups and items should be a last resort. Since very little plastic is actually recyclable, make sure your city or county can recycle what you are putting in your blue bin. More importantly, ask coffee shops to take responsibility to recycle, offer composting, and allow refillable cups. 

Want to support the work of Breaking Free with 'good stuff'? Here are some of the things that are needed right now and the real impact these donations can have:

When you support Jeremiah Program, you become part of the community. ​Here is a glance at their ongoing needs on Donate Good Stuff:

​Each February, the United States observes Black History Month, a month dedicated to honoring the history, struggles, and triumphs of black people in America and around the world.

Its purpose is to educate us and remind us that black people have always been a contributing force in this nation and the world. The goal shouldn't solely be to celebrate Black History for a month, but to overcome our historical amnesia and to acknowledge and incorporate black history for what it is. Black history is American History. Black history is World History. Black history is a rich and integral part of our collective history.
 
While the stories highlighted during this month often focuses on famous and exceptional figures, it is also the contributions of regular people and everyday actions that have also crafted the world we have inherited. It is often those figures that are most relatable, and no less important, and equally missing from the general narrative.

While Rosa Parks and MLK are important people with major contributions, there are so many other people we should enriching our collective knowledge and experience with. For example, read about Shirley Chisolm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, and Fannie Lou Hamer, a Black activist from Mississippi who launched Freedom Farm Cooperative (FFC), an initiative to purchase land that Black people could collectively own and farm. Read or listen to “1619″ Project. Enjoy black authors Black authors in your reading list. Visit BlackPast.org for an extensive list of other notable Black figures. Dig into these collections, exhibits, and resources, or if you are an educator, these educational resources for teachers.

If you are as much a viewer as a reader, there are fantastic lists of documentaries from PBS or this List of 91 Movies and TV Shows to Stream and dive into wonderful performances by epic black leads and casts like award-winning Octavia Spencer in "Self Made", inspired by the life of Madam C.J. Walker, the first African American self-made millionaire, including Ava DuVernay’s “When They See Us,” a drama about a real-life group of Black teens falsely accused of a vicious attack; “Loving,” a film about an interracial couple whose marriage became the basis of a landmark Supreme Court case; and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” starring Viola Davis as the groundbreaking Southern blues singer; and don't leave out outstanding comic performances like Tiffany Haddish's 'They Ready". 

And if you love music, celebrate and listen to music created by Black artists, for example, on Spotify’s “Black History is Now” or Amazon's 'Black History Month". Find classics Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles as well as current recording stars like H.E.R., Anderson .Paak and Andra Day.

Meanwhile, this month and throughout the year, Donate Good Stuff will be highlighting people and innovative and exceptional organizations that are working to further black health, education, rights and community development. They are making tomorrow's history today, working toward a more vibrant, rich, and equitable world for future generations. Although not all organizations may be collecting donation items through Donate Good Stuff, they merit recognition and support of their work to support anti-racism equity and equality.

We invite you to Follow us on Facebook to learn more.

We feel better when things are organized, but it turns out it is also quite important for our health and wellbeing. ​Psychology Today provides 8 reasons messes are proven to cause stress including overstimulation, lack of focus, inability to relax, anxiety, and guilt, and stifling creativity. Nobody needs these extra stressors in their lives especially when you can do something about it. If you completed or started a quarantine decluttering project (or finally want to start), you will find it not only decreases stress, it also increases productivity, and even saves you money.

It seems simple, so why does stuff seem to always accumulate? There are many methods of 'project' decluttering, whether you choose Marie Kondo, or others, where you set aside a bunch of time and really hit an area to declutter. For most people with busy lives, it is hard to carve out that time.
Just like making your bed or brushing your teeth, if you can make a habit of clearing clutter regularly, it becomes more manageable and gets done. 
First, you need a strategy that work for you. Here are two steps you can start right away. 

STEP 1: 
Create a small space where you feel OK about putting things that you need to donate. Create a 'to donate' bag or box somewhere near your door where these items can go and plop them in. When it fills up or gets in the way, make a trip to donate or post it stuff for neighbors on Nextdoor, Facebook, or you could even just send a message to friends or family who might like the items.

STEP 2:
Create a place where you can put things that need sorting between repair, giving, or trash. Set it somewhere you are regularly or are likely to do a passive activity. Hide it next to a couch where you'll be watching TV or under a chair where you'll be sitting with a child while she does homework. Get creative and find what works for you. When you sit down in that space, you are automatically reminded and the items are right there. Many find sorting a very satisfying activity, plus you make progress toward your decluttering routine.​

Now, how do you get through all of the stuff in a 'routine' way? Here are a couple of ideas that other people have found helpful depending on their personality:

If you struggle with routine and scheduling tasks, try this:
When clutter frustrates you or makes you bad, deal with a little right away. Can't shut your utensil drawer? Right then and there, quickly identify one or a few things you don't use and plop them in the 'to donate' bin. That way, it doesn't have to derail what you are doing, and you get the satisfaction of removing a frustration in the moment. Yay!

If you love a to-do list and organizing but don't have much time, try this:
Give yourself the gift of a tiny bit of time - maybe just 15 minutes on a Saturday morning. Identify a small area like a shelf in your closet, or specific drawer. Take just the allotted time and do a super quick sweep of that area. You can dump everything out, or just pull the things you don't need out - It's your choice. Focus on items that haven't been used in a while, are broken or no good, out of date, or just taking up too much space. Put them aside in a 'to donate' receptacle by your door or if you need time to sort the give/fix/repurpose/trash, set it somewhere you are doing a passive activity like watching TV or sitting with a child while she does homework.  
​

You may well find the extra motivation you need to get things out of your home when you know your items will find a meaningful new home where they will be used and enjoyed. Most people, when they find out someone needs something, bend over backward to get it to them. However, when it's just a pile at your back door without a plan, it can sit for weeks or longer.

Donate Good Stuff is a great resource to help you find organizations that need what you have, nearby, and provides you with the info to easily deliver. Here are some examples of what you can find:

• Give tools you don't use to the MN Tool library 
• Donate current season clothing to service providers like YouthLink, 
• Give work clothes to Dress for Success or Ready for Success
• Donate linens and unopened body care items to a variety of shelters
• Donate furniture to distribution centers like Bridging
• Donate home improvement and construction items to Hearts and Hammers or Habitat ReStore
• Give medical equipment and supplies to Mano A Mano or Hero
• Donate kitchen and household items to supportive programs like Breaking Free, and MORE. 
• Donate art supplies to help young people at Jeremiah Program and Ampersand Families
• Donate sports and outdoor equipment so kids can participate in activities to Urban Ventures

Wherever you donate, carefully read what is needed and what is not ensure your donation is appreciated and used and doesn't become an unintended burden for the organization that can cost them time and money they often don't have. Make sure it is in excellent condition, freshly cleaned, and free of damage, fur, stains, odor and any other unpleasantness unless the listing specifically states otherwise. Always do a re-inspection of items right before you donate!

If you have stuff might not be considered 'good', there are still options:

• Bring used shoe boxes or old blankets to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
• Give outdated computers and equipment to PCs for People or Tech Dump
• Even old cars can have a new life at Newgate School

If you can't find an organization that needs it near you, try some neighborly options like posting your things on Freecycle, the NextDoor app or Facebook community groups and marketplace. Consider other simple and local solutions like delivering a few books to a neighbor's little free library.
​

Whether you’re on a limited budget, want to reduce landfill waste – or both – renovating your existing wardrobe instead of buying a new one is easier than you think. A good wardrobe is a must-have for many, and we tend to invest in new clothes without taking stock of what’s already hanging in our closets. You can resist the temptation by giving your wardrobe an economical but fun fashion facelift.
Transforming and tweaking your wardrobe instead of buying a new one saves money. Maybe you’re a single mom whose job requires a high-level wardrobe, or you’re young and just building up a solid income. Perhaps you’re interested in recycling and upcycling. We have some great advice and techniques to find both budget-easy and Earth-friendly ways to update your wardrobe.
 
A Second Life
We all have our clothing secrets, those gotta-have purchases that we hang in the closet, waiting for the next perfect occasion. Except, that perfect cocktail party or night on the town just never materializes. Eventually, we forget it’s hanging there, tags still attached, and now it’s no longer trendy or it doesn’t fit like before.
Don’t just toss clothes: consider giving them a second life. Most of our clothes eventually end up in a landfill. In 2015, more than 10 million tons of fabrics went to landfills, according to the EPA. Yet within that same year, only about 14% of clothing and shoes were recycled. Producing new clothes and other textiles requires energy, water, and other resources. By renewing your wardrobe (and other household textiles like linens, bed sheets, drapes, and blankets) instead of discarding, you can do your part to reduce landfill waste.
 
Clothes Renewal Selection
Let’s dig in and decide which clothes stay, which clothes leave, and which are good candidates for a transformation.
Go through your closet. Take clothes out and start working on an organization system. Some people organize types of clothes together: button-down shirts together, slacks, pants, skirts, dresses, etc. Others group their wardrobe according to use: work clothes, party clothes, casual clothes. Still, others group their clothes according to colors.
Whatever organizing system you use, stick to it, and revisit the selection process every few months, or at minimum once a year. You may discover clothes you haven’t noticed for years. Rotating them into your regular wardrobe choices brings new variety.
 
How Often Do You Use it?
As you go through your closet, question how often you use it. How about that outdated pair of slacks or that forgotten dress? These slacks make a good candidate for re-homing or renovating, and you could transform that dress into a cute blouse. If you haven’t worn something for a year, give serious thought to renovating it or removing it from your closet.
 
Does it Still Suit You?
You adored that skirt 10 years ago when you couldn’t resist buying it. Still, think you can’t live without it? Do you have the same feelings for it? This kind of item in your wardrobe might be a good candidate for a subtle or grand transformation.
 
What to Do with Clothes you Don’t Need?
You should now have a keep pile, a keep but renovate pile, and a “leave the house” pile. What do you do with these clothes? Evaluate them: If they’re good quality and not hopelessly outdated fashion-wise, you may consider donating them. You can find places near you to donate at DonateGoodStuff.org. You may also consider using social media groups such as Facebook Marketplace, or Nextdoor, as well as selling them at a local consignment shop.
If you don’t want the hassle or the clothes aren’t top quality, you can also offer them for free on sites like The Freecycle Network. This way, the clothes have a use for others while staying out of the landfill.
 
Upcycle, Downcycle, and Renovation Techniques
Your wardrobe is a great source of creative upcycle and downcycle projects.
Upcycling involves turning an existing item into something of higher value. Those tired old jeans could become an on-trend, functional shopping tote, a denim tank top, or a woven sink floor mat. Upcycling saves energy and materials used by new-item manufacturing processes. Some people earn income by crafting and selling items using upcycled materials.
You can also downcycle your wardrobe – that is, turn the fabric into something else useful but less valuable than the original item. Turn soft but no longer wearable cotton T-shirts into dust cloths, a sweater for your dog, or a snuggly small pet hammock. Downcycle shirts to wax your car. Crafty people have recycled clothes into sewn protective face masks, using t-shirt strips as tie straps.
Check out hundreds of amazing second-life ideas for upcycling your clothing. You’ll be amazed what some creativity, scissors, and maybe some sewing thread can accomplish. You don’t have to be a professional seamstress or DIY fashion guru to achieve beautiful results.
There are some great fabrics for craft or upcycle projects that are probably hanging in your closet right now:

• Denim, like jeans and jean jackets
• Cotton shirts
• T-shirts
• Cotton blouses or dresses
• Flannel or plaid shirts
• Bedsheets
• Wool sweaters and blankets

By using various techniques and some handy online tutorials, you can cut, sew, glue, and transform unwanted, tired fabrics into new, exciting clothes, home decorating, or craft creations. Here are some ideas for transforming closet rejects:
 
Cutting
Fabrics and scissors are a perfect match when you’re giving new life to clothes. Renovations can be as simple as cutting slacks into shorts and hemming the frayed ends (or leave the frayed ends for a casual statement). Cut strips and weave together for a rug, tying off the ends or cut clothes up for future quilting pieces.
 
Transform Dresses into Trendy Tops or Skirts
Remember that cute dress you almost never wore? Turn it into a top or even a skirt. This may be as simple as hemming the dress a little higher and adding a cute belt. Look online for inspiration and tutorials.
 
Repurpose Old T-shirts into Something New
Do you have drawers full of oversized t-shirts or old t-shirts? Give them a new life. Weave them into totes, make them into crop tops, or find other ways to reuse the fabric. T-shirt material is a dream to renovate, upcycle, or downcycle. When cut, t-shirts don’t fray, so you can cut and handle without the need to hem. You can also use T-shirts as knitting yarn to make rag rugs, macrame, pillow cushions, patchwork quilts, t-shirt bags, or even potholders.
 
Tie-Dye
Tie-dye never goes out of style. Vibrant and fun, tie-dyeing makes a terrific family activity. Transform white shirts or other clothes, even ones that may be stained. Chances are unless they’re bad stains, the tie-dye pattern will hide the imperfections, making that shirt wearable again.
Before you dive into tie-dying, watch videos online with step-by-step directions. There are lots of different techniques to achieve the patterns and color combinations you most love.
If you’re not into tie-dye, you can use different painting materials on clothing to change their look. Try acrylic pens, natural pigments, and even fabric paints watered down to make clothes look just like a dreamy watercolor painting. Sites like Pinterest.com have lots of ideas for bringing new life to your clothes.
 
Bleach Techniques
If you have dark clothes, you can transform them into vibrant, eye-catching statement pieces by using a creative reverse dye technique process of bleaching out the color and then adding bright dye colors to the bleached, white sections. You can also use bleach pens to create cool, colorful images on fabric.
 
Knitting, Sewing, and Crocheting
Don’t overlook traditional methods to change up clothes you’ve grown tired of. Knitting, sewing, and crocheting are time-honored skills you can enjoy learning as you add beautiful accents to your clothes.
Hem a long skirt into a shorter version or transform slacks into shorts. Add a contrasting color block to an existing skirt. Sew a lace hem on shorts or a crocheted accent onto a blouse for a charming touch.
 
Repair Old Clothes
Instead of throwing away clothes, consider repairing them. Resist the urge to pitch clothes with a hole or missing button, Invest a little time in repairing instead of replacing, and you’ll save lots of money. Iron on or sew on a cool, on-trend patch on your jeans, and change out the buttons on your sweater. Browse online shops for eye-catching buttons that show off your personality.
If your sewing, darning, or sew-on button techniques are rusty or nonexistent, don’t worry: There are lots of tutorials online for almost any repair situation.
 
Denim Jeans and Jackets
Denim jeans are incredibly versatile for repurposing projects. Sew some patches or lace onto existing jeans or a jacket for an on-trend shabby-chic fashion statement. Use fabric paint to embellish with flowers, peace symbols, or cool sayings.
Denim’s fabric strength can be transformed into things like totes, light-blocking curtains, woven denim rugs, or reupholstering fabric for chairs for a fresh shabby-chic look. Make denim into pillows, baskets, or quilts. Make a braided tug-toy for your favorite pooch (make sure he doesn’t swallow the fabric) or, using elastic on each end of a pants leg, make a grocery-bag holder. There are lots of tutorials online with clever ideas for old jeans.
 
Patching
Clothes don’t last forever, especially if worn by kids. Sometimes quick patching can give clothes years more life. Find coordinating or contrasting colors to bring interest to your renovation. You can place the patch on the inside of the worn-out spot and sew it in for added textural appeal.
 
More DIY Wardrobe Renovation Ideas
There are other creative and inexpensive ways to inject new life into your wardrobe.
Update your accessories. Haunt thrift stores and estate sales for sweet vintage statement pieces like bracelets, necklaces, or earrings. Browse vintage stores for a retro leather handbag. A new-to-you set of bangles can bring new sparkle to your ensemble. Or, switch it up with a luxurious-looking, oversized scarf or shawl for a pop of color or pattern. Add an accentuating belt.
Add a few “basics” to your wardrobe. Add a solid-colored jacket or sweater, a classic blouse, or a basic skirt that you can create multiple ensembles with. Thrift stores are a great place to shop. These basic additions can match with pieces already in your closet, providing a fresh look.
Mix and match colors and patterns. This increases your daily ensemble variety and choices. Don’t be afraid to buck the trend of a pattern paired only with a solid. Try some florals with stripes.
Have a clothes swap party. Invite friends over and ask them to bring gently-used clothes, shoes, and accessories. Share your own offerings. You can make this a fun, themed get-together.
Look for classic, casual, or business jackets that you can change out with different blouses and skirts or a good pair of jeans. Elevate an ensemble or rock a casual look, adding versatility to your present wardrobe.
 
The Sky’s the Limit
Renovating and rehabbing your wardrobe can be as extensive and as creative as you want – let your DIY fashion imagination soar. Try out a new painting, sewing, or tie-dye techniques, and if you mess it up, that’s OK: it’s all part of the learning and experimenting process. If you have kids, set them loose with some of their clothes and paint pens or other kid-safe fabric paints.
 
Find Joy in your Wardrobe Again
You can feel good about giving your clothes a new life and a new look. You’ll expand your wardrobe choices while saving money and being a good steward of the Earth.
The clothing manufacturing industry is harsh on our environment. Some companies are showing creativity in using throwaway items like water bottles upcycled into new clothes, handbags, and even bed sheets. However, until all technology improves with more sustainable and recycled materials, you can do your part by not buying new items. Instead, have fun using these techniques to bring new purpose to your existing wardrobe.
 
Originally posted on Porch.com

If you sew, knit, or are working with twine, or even while wrapping gifts, clips can hold strands together for you to keep them from getting knotted up.

Just like putting toilet paper on the 'right' way, keeping toothpaste tubes neat can be a worthwhile relationship aid. There are quite a few devices that are created for the purpose, many of which I've tried and not loved. This is an easy, DIY, free, reuse friendly way to keep everyone a little bit happier.

​Don't have a clipboard handy, or one of those binder clips? Well, you can make a clipboard using a jaw clip and something like a thin, hardcover book, or even some sturdy cardboard. Lay the paper down, attach the jaw clip, and slide the pen inside. Simple.
Or if you need to keep papers from blowing away.
Or outdoor party tablecloths

Finally, when you need to replace hair ties, here are some creative zero waste ideas.

2) Donate only useful things
​This is trickier than it sounds. Usefulness is in the eye of the beholder, and in this case, the judge has to be the recipient. Be careful not to fall into the wish-cycling trap. (I know you would really love to drop off those those VHS movies somewhere)

Even if your item was really awesome at one time, things can really change when stuff sits for a while.  

Take a close look & determine:

• Does it have any broken or missing pieces, tears, missing a button or have other damage?
• Are you telling yourself 'someone could easily fix this.....'
• Is it old and outdated?
• Has it been sitting where it's gotten a dusty and dirty or picked up basement or garage smells? 

If you answered 'yes' or even 'maybe' or 'I don't know' to any of these, it is likely to create a burden on the recipient. Consider if you can fix it, clean it, or update it to make it good for donation. Either don't donate it, or take the next best step (#3 below) and ask. 

Two More Tips for Screening Your Items
​
Consider if it would be acceptable to give to your sister. She's going to notice if it's not good, and she'll tell you all about it. So if it's not sister quality, don't assume it's OK to donate. (Ignore this advice if you don't have a sister or you have a really nice sister like mine. Instead, think of someone else who holds you to a higher standard, AND who is brutally honest with you.)

"When in doubt, throw it out" is a common quote of guidance. But I think there is an even better - just ask. That said, if you are in a situation where you have to make an assumption and you aren't sure, don't donate it. 

The good news is that there are a lot of other great ways to divest of the things you no longer need. To get new ideas about how to ethically and easily re-home or repurpose your items, and also tips for decluttering & reducing, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, or subscribe to our newsletter for tips each month.

3) Get consent. "Good intentions do not a good gift make"
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP.
It's happened to most of us.... Remember a time you received a 'gift' from someone that you didn't need or want? Maybe it was a parent cleaning out the house, or  a friend who just doesn't 'get' you. The intent may have been there, but you still ended up with an extra item that you didn't want so instead of a lovely gift, you had the burden of storing it or figuring out what to do with it. Usually, these aren't a big deal, but they aren't the positive experience they are meant to be. And you can imagine if this happened to you over and over (like it does with places that accept donations), it becomes unmanageable and expensive.

Some organizations are very explicit about what they do and don't accept. Those are easy - Just follow their lead.  Some organizations are less explicit. The key is not to assume.

Drop-off sites seemingly take 'everything' so it's easy for people to grab a bag full or car load and 'let them worry about it, they are set up for it'. In reality, many things end up going right into the trash because they can't be resold or reused.