Does Goodwill take old knives?

Author: Judy Runolfsson  |  Last update: Saturday, June 13, 2026

Wondering if you can donate knives to Goodwill? The charity typically accepts the knives you keep in your kitchen, but can't take hunting knives off your hands for safety reasons. Some of these dangerous items have specific disposal methods, so check out the following tips to see how to get rid of them safely.

Can I donate old kitchen knives?

Donation or Recycling: If the knives are still in good condition, consider donating them to a local charity, thrift store, or community kitchen. Some metal recycling facilities may also accept them. By following these steps, you can ensure safe disposal while minimizing the risk of injury to yourself and others.

What will Goodwill not take as a donation?

Items Goodwill does not accept
  • Large exercise equipment.
  • Chairs, stools, or couches.
  • Mattresses or bed frames.
  • Desks or office furniture.
  • Tables.
  • Dressers or bookcases.
  • Pianos or organs.
  • CRT TVs.

How to pack knives for Goodwill?

Use caution when packing knives.
  1. Place knife on newsprint and fold newsprint over.
  2. As you add knives, alternate direction of blades.
  3. For larger knives, wrap in an additional sheet of newsprint.

How to throw away old knives?

How to Safely Dispose of Kitchen Knives. Tape newspaper around the blade, and then tape a piece of cardboard around it as well. Put the knives in a cardboard box, and they're safe to put in your trash bin. Alternatively, take the old knives to a waste collection site, a recycling center, or a donation center.

Old Knife New Life - Goodwill

Does Salvation Army take kitchen knives?

If you have knives that are still in working order, donating them can be your best option. Kiele-Jael Stanton, a certified health-supportive chef and wellness culinary coach, says, “If you have knives that you don't want anymore, you can donate them to companies like Goodwill, Salvation Army, or secondhand stores.”

Why is Goodwill not a good place to donate?

Because Goodwill doesn't want a lot of your stuff. Goodwill can't resell your old t-shirt with the stains on it just because it has sentimental value to you. In 2020, Goodwills in Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire alone threw away 13 million pounds of donations that they received because they could not resell it.

Does Goodwill take bras?

Goodwill. While policies vary by location, most Goodwill drop-off centers will accept clean and gently used bras for resale.

What items does Salvation Army not accept near me?

In general, the Salvation Army Thrift Stores cannot accept:
  • Any appliances that have mechanical difficulties, missing power cord or is rusty or dirty. ...
  • Large console model televisions and stereos.
  • Televisions older than 5 years. ...
  • Built in appliances (Ovens, Stoves, Dishwashers, microwave etc.)

Who takes old knives?

These sharp objects can't be placed in the recycling bin you put out on the curb each week, though. Instead, knives should be taken to a scrap metal recycling center. You can contact your county or city government or visit their websites to determine if there is a nearby scrap metal recycling center.

What do you do with an old knife?

The recommended method is to wrap the knife in several layers of newspaper or cardboard, secure it with tape, and label it as “sharp objects” or “kitchen knives” to alert waste management personnel. Additionally, you can contact your local recycling centre or municipal waste management facility for specific guidelines.

Can you give away knives?

According to tradition, this powerful object should not be given as a gift. On the one hand, the gift giver loses their power, and on the other hand, the knife's blade supposedely cuts the ties between the gift giver and the gift's receiver.

Where can I bin old knives?

Label the box if possible and place it at the top of your wheelie bin to inform the waste management team about its contents. Recycling is a more sustainable choice if your kitchen knife is entirely made of metal. Take it to your local recycling centre and deposit it in the scrap metal bin.

What clothing items should not be donated?

Clothes that should not be donated to a second hand store include ripped, stained, damaged or dirty items. You should not donate used items and clothes in poor condition because these items cannot be resold. Instead, damaged or dirty clothes should be recycled, upcycled or disposed of.

What Goodwill will not take?

Furniture that is covered in animal hair, broken, worn, torn, stained, mildewed, rusty, missing parts or disassembled. Oversized items including furniture or exercise equipment that weighs over 50 lbs. Mattresses, box-springs, bed rails, sleeper-sofas, air-mattresses, mattress toppers, bed pillows and bean bag chairs.

Does Goodwill take bed sheets?

Mattresses and Box Springs

While many Goodwill stores can accept bedsheets, blankets and other linens, most locations do not accept mattresses and box springs.

Why are people boycotting Goodwill?

Goodwill receives public funds, accepts philanthropic donations, and profits from the sale of donated goods, but refuses to pay its workers with disabilities the federal minimum wage.

Does the CEO of Goodwill make a lot of money?

Average Goodwill Industries Ceo/President yearly pay in the United States is approximately $55,365, which is 51% below the national average.

Can I throw away old knives?

If all else fails, your knives are destined for the trash

But, you shouldn't simply toss them into the can—that's dangerous. Start by wrapping your knives in several layers of newspaper. Then, find a piece of cardboard that's more than twice the depth of the blade.

How do I dispose of old knives near me?

Drop-off Locations:
  • Los Angeles County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events.
  • Los Angeles County Environmental Permanent Collection Centers.
  • City of Los Angeles SAFE Centers.
  • Los Angeles County Dept. ...
  • County of Los Angeles Sheriff Stations.
  • Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship - CalRecycle Home Page.

Does Goodwill pick up furniture for free?

Goodwill provides a complimentary donation pickup service for your convenience, offering an effortless solution for donating items that may be challenging to transport to one of our donation sites.

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