Matchmaking for your stuff - a guide to rehome, repair and recycle
Not everything sells on the day of your garage sale, and that's okay. There are heaps of ways to make sure your unsold treasures still find a good home.
Rehoming, repairing or recycling your things keeps useful materials in circulation and out of landfill. They can also help local charities and support your community.
So let’s keep the good stuff going.
Clothing & textiles
Still in good nick?
- Donate to your local charity or op shop in store hours. Find an op shop near you.
- Try a clothes swap with friends or give away items for free on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or Buy Nothing groups.
- Sell high value items online through Depop or eBay.
Need a bit of love?
- Mend small tears or missing buttons yourself, or visit a local Repair Café or alterations shop.
- Darn socks, patch jeans or add fun embellishments to give items a new look.
Too worn out to wear?
- Check with your council for textile recycling events and services.
- Book a collection with Upparel or fill and return a bag with RCYCL.
- Turn old T-shirts into cleaning rags or craft projects.
- For bedding and Manchester, recycle at your local Sheridan store or contact local mechanics, animal shelters or vets.
Kids toys
Got a plethora of plushies or even a legion of LEGO?
- Pass them on to family, friends, a local playgroup or toy library.
- Host or join a toy swap.
- Donate to op shops or community organisations. Calling ahead to see what they accept.
- For broken toys, check your local recycling centre for options or recycle instore at Big W as part of their Toys for Joy initiatitve.
Furniture
Still in good shape?
- Sell or gift through local Facebook groups, Gumtree or Buy Nothing New communities.
- Donate to a community member in need through GIVIT.
Needs a bit of love?
- Upcycle! A coat of paint or new handles can make old furniture new again.
- Try a Repair Café or contact a local Men’s Shed for help with fixes.
Too far gone?
- Book a council collection for end-of-life and broken items, checking your local council’s website for the services available locally and booking ahead of time.
Electrical goods
Still in good shape?
- Pass working items on to friends or family or post in a local Good Karma Facebook group.
- Donate through GIVIT — they often have requests for small appliances in good working order.
- Sell safely on Marketplace, Gumtree or at a local market (making sure items are tested and tagged if needed).
Needs a bit of love?
- Take it to your local Repair Café or Men’s Shed for help fixing small faults.
- Many brands offer take-back or repair services — check the manufacturer’s website.
Too far gone?
- Recycle through official programs such as MobileMuster (for phones and chargers) or the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (for TVs, computers and accessories).
- Book a council collection for end-of-life and broken items, checking your local council’s website for the services available locally and booking ahead of time.
Homewares
Still in good shape?
- Pass on spare crockery, glassware or cutlery to neighbours, friends or a community kitchen.
- Donate to your local op shop or through GIVIT.
- Sell matching or vintage pieces at your next market or an online marketplace.
Needs a bit of love?
- Chips or scratches? Try a gentle sand or paint touch-up for wooden or enamel items.
- Sharpen blunt knives or tools, or replace missing screws and lids to make them usable again.
- Visit your local Repair Café for help fixing small household goods.
Too far gone?
- Book a council collection for end-of-life and broken items, checking your local council’s website for the services available locally and booking ahead of time.
Golden rules
- Donate items in good, clean condition and call ahead before donating to check what’s accepted at your local op shop.
- Not sure what can be recycled? Download the Recycle Mate app or visit the website to snap a photo or search for any item and get local, accurate recycling information.
- Never leave donations outside charity shops, bins or on the kerbside.
- Book a council collection for end-of-life and broken items, checking your local council’s website for the services available locally and booking ahead of time.
- Safely dispose of paint, gas bottles, fire extinguishers, motor and cooking oils, car and household batteries, fluorescent tubes and globes, and smoke detectors. If you’re in NSW, visit cleanout.com.au to find a Community Recycling Centre or Household Chemical CleanOut near you.
- Always think: Sell it, repair it, donate it, recycle it — before you bin it.
This project is a NSW EPA Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy initiative, funded from the waste levy
