Goodwill Stores Will Not Accept These Items in Massachusetts

It feels good to donate. Every so often, I’ll take a look around my house, collect items I no longer want, and bring them to the nearest goodwill or thrift store for someone else to claim. I like the idea of giving my items a second life.

But sometimes, I look at an item in my home and think, “Can I even donate this?”

It turns out that there is a pretty extensive list when it comes to items that Goodwill will not accept.

Get our free mobile app

Let’s Start with the Items They Will Accept

Goodwill will happily accept gently used goods in usable condition, including:

• Clothing
• Shoes
• Accessories, such as belts, handbags, hats, jewelry and scarves
• Backpacks
• Bags
• Luggage
• Cookware, like bakeware, dishes, glassware, pots, and pans
• Small electronics, like alarm clocks, coffee pots, and toaster ovens
• Home electronics, like computers, laptops, stereo equipment, books, CDs, and DVDs

Dell Reconnect Program

Goodwill has partnered with Dell for the “Dell Reconnect” program, offering Massachusetts residents the opportunity to donate old computers free of charge. All computers and parts get responsibly recycled, and you no longer have to stare at your old monitor from 2005. It’s a win-win.

What about those rusty paint cans sitting in your garage or the old mattress in your guest room?

Items like those may be best suited for the garbage.

While Goodwill is prepared to accept many gently used items, here are some that they definitely will not.