Reusing, repairing, donating, selling or upcycling unwanted items helps preserve the world’s resources, reduces our impact on the environment, may support others in need and could make you money if you’re able to sell unwanted items.

Small electrical items

You can donate small electrical items that are in good working condition or may only need minor repair at any of these libraries:

• Bicester
• Banbury
• Oxfordshire County Library
• Cowley
• Blackbird Leys
• Witney

The scheme covers small electrical items such as toasters, kettles and radios. Items you can easily carry. Items must be deposited into a crate provided at the library entrance. The libraries cannot accept anything large or heavy – such as televisions, monitors, microwaves, white goods, fridges, and freezers – or anything damaged and beyond repair.

Once goods have been dropped off, the items will be collected by Orinoco – a local charity that help reuse and recycle waste. The items will be tested, volunteers will make minor repairs, and the items will then be sold to benefit the charities.

Other items

To find other local options for repair, reuse and recycling options including charity shops, please use our Waste Wizard search tool.

If you have good quality items suitable for donation to a charity shop, please contact the charity before travelling to make sure they are open and accepting items. 

You could also try an online auction website to sell your unwanted items or donate them via an exchange website such as Freegle or Freecycle. Your trash could be someone else’s treasure.

To minimise risks associated with COVID-19, best practice is to quarantine items for 72 hours after you have collected them. You could also consider cleaning items with a disinfectant wipe and ensure you follow guidance on handwashing, social distancing, and face coverings. 

Do not donate or accept items if you or anyone in your household has or suspects they have COVID-19.