Can I Donate Toilet Paper? (Here’s the Step by Step Process)
Have you ever wondered if you can donate toilet paper? It might seem ridiculous, but it is an item that we use every day. Most charity organizations accept toilet paper donations, although they have one requirement when you are donating toilet paper.
Toilet paper can only be donated if it is still sealed in its original packaging. This is important for sanitary reasons but also for storage. Storing toilet paper in its original packaging greatly reduces the chance of mold growing on your toilet paper.
This article discusses exactly how, what, and where you can donate toilet paper. It’s important to remember that every charity organization is different and has different needs, so we would recommend contacting your local charity to enquire about what donations they accept.
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Here’s a Quick Pro Tip!
Toilet paper is one of many essential household items that you can donate. We might take these things for granted but other families may struggle to afford them. A donation goes a long way.
Essential household items that you can donate:
Toilet paper – Sealed and preferably unscented.
Dental Hygiene Products – Toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
Diapers – Various sizes are always in need.
Hygiene products – Shampoo, soap, shower gel, etc.
Can You Donate Toilet Paper?
You can absolutely donate toilet paper! Donating toilet paper is one of the essential household items that every family needs, so you might be helping a family more than you realize. Let’s learn how to donate toilet paper and help others in your community!
Can You Donate Toilet Paper?
Toilet paper is an essential item in most households, so you can donate unopened toilet paper. Families always need toiletries, like toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, and sanitary products.
Most charities will not accept opened toilet paper roll packages, only those still in their original packaging. Although charities prefer unscented toilet paper because some people have allergies, they accept scented toilet paper too.
What Things Can You Donate?
There are a lot of things that you can donate, including clothing, food, and even vehicles! Donating can help other families keep their heads above water, so we have compiled a list of the most desired donated items.
Here is a list of common items that can be donated:
- Financial Donations – The most simplistic item, a little goes a long way
- Clothing – Men’s, women’s, or kid’s clothing
- Jewelry – Real or fake jewelry
- Canned food – Or any nonperishable food
- Books, CDs, or DVDs – Any old Books, CDs, or DVDs that you have lying around your house
- Domestic items – Linen, curtains, blankets, etc.
- Vehicles – Goodwill accepts vehicle donations
What Can Be Donated to Charity?
Charities accept most new and gently used household items, although a few exceptions exist. To be safe, we recommend contacting your local charity and checking what items they accept.
For example, large charities, like Goodwill, do not accept furniture, paint, or even shampoo due to hazardous materials or potential allergies. Every charity is different and has different needs, hence why we advise contacting your local charity.
You might also enjoy our post on If Toilet Paper Expires
What Can Be Donated to Orphanages?
Anything that you would donate to a charity, you could donate to an orphanage. Although, orphanages will appreciate any items that improve the quality of life for the children, for example, educational books or clothes and shoes.
These items could also be reading books or school books to help the children build a brighter future. A monetary donation might be the most useful option, but the donation needs differ for each orphanage.
Can You Donate Toilet Paper to Hospitals?
You could absolutely donate toilet paper to hospitals as it is an everyday need. That said, your local hospital might not need toilet paper as much as other charity organizations.
The best practice is to contact your local hospital and ask them if they currently need toilet paper donations, and if they do not, you can donate your toilet paper to charities or orphanages. Each hospital is different and has different needs.
Can I Donate Non-food Items?
You can absolutely donate non-food items. Charities are often in need of household items, clothes, or toiletries. Every charity is different and has different needs, so you would have to contact your local charity.
Non-Food Items that you can donate:
- Toiletries – Toilet paper, shower gel, shampoo, toothbrushes, etc.
- Laundry items – Laundry liquid detergent, laundry powder, washing up liquid.
- Feminine products – Unopened tampons and sanctuary towels.
What Can You Not Donate to a Food Bank?
Although food banks accept most food items, you can’t donate candy, sugar-sweetened beverages, spoiled food, or leftovers. Knowing this is important before attempting to donate to a food bank.
Here is a list of items that you should not donate to food banks:
- Candy
- Sugar-sweetened soda, tea, or sports drinks
- Homemade baked good
- Spoiled or rotten food
- Dented canned food
- Glass jars
- Leftovers
- Open packages
Can I Donate Half-Rolls of Toilet Paper?
Although it might sound like a good idea, you can’t donate half-rolls of toilet paper. Most charities have a packaging rule which states that toilet paper has to be sealed in its original packaging when donated. So, it’s best to leave the half-rolls at home.
However, there’s another alternative. If you have half-rolls of toilet paper that you are not planning on using, you can give them to a family that you personally know and are in need. They might appreciate it, although no one is obligated to accept your donations.
You might also enjoy our post on How Long a Roll of Toilet Paper Should Last
Where and How to Donate?
There are different ways to donate to a charity. Usually, you can drop off a donation at their store. Contact your local charity before donating to check! In the meantime, let’s talk about where and how to donate to different charitable organizations.
Where Can I Donate Unused Sanitary Products?
You can donate unused sanitary products to any big charity organization, but there are organizations, like Helping Woman Period, that specifically help women who are in need of sanitary products.
Helping Woman Period, BetterPlace.org and so many other charities focus on providing menstrual products to women who are either homeless or from very low-income households. You can donate or volunteer at these organizations.
Where Can I Donate Toilet Paper?
You can donate sealed and unscented toilet paper rolls to large charity organizations like Goodwill, Gogreendrop, Seniorcare2share, etc. These organizations typically do not accept half-rolls, so rather leave those at home.
You can also contact local charities in your state, county, or city and enquire if they accept toilet paper donations. Most charities do accept these donations, but some do not, so be sure to check.
Can You Donate Toilet Paper to Goodwill?
You can donate unopened toilet paper to Goodwill, but they do not accept half-rolls of toilet paper. Goodwill has an extensive donation guideline web page that you should check before donating any items to them.
You might be surprised to find out that Goodwill does not accept personal care items such as shampoo or conditioner, but they do accept vehicle donations. Read through the donation guidelines before donating.
Where Do You Drop Off Donations?
This depends on where you live, each charity has a different drop-off location. A general place to drop off donations includes the hospital or an orphanage. You can also simply search the location of your local charity and drop off your donations there.
For most charities, you can simply drive up to the location of the store and drop off your donations. Other charities have specific drop-off locations. Goodwill has a donation map on its website that shows you where the drop–off locations are.
How Do I Donate a Large Amount of Items?
You can donate many items by contacting and consulting your local charity organization to enquire if they offer pick-up services. A lot of charities like The Salvation Army and Goodwill offer these services, so there will always be a way to donate.
8 charities that offer free donation pick up:
- Goodwill
- Habitat For Humanity
- Salvation Army
- PickUpMyDonation.com
- GreenDrop
- Pick Up Please
- Furniture Bank
- The Arc
If you want to donate to a local charity in your area, you should contact them to make sure that they offer donation pick-up services.
Related Questions
Can You Donate Unopened Tampons?
You can donate unopened tampons, pads, and other sanitary products to most charity organizations. There are also certain organizations that primarily focus on providing these products to women and girls in need.
Charity organizations that focus on providing sanitary products to women:
The big donation organizations like Goodwill and Salvation Army also accept any unopened sanitary products.
Can I Donate Toothpaste?
Surprisingly, it is possible to donate toothpaste. Sometimes we forget that toothpaste is a product that we use every day, and other families might need this too. Most charities will accept unopened and sealed toothpaste as donations.
Colgate has a list of charities on their website that you can donate toothpaste to. You can also directly donate toothpaste to families that might be in need in your community, or to your local charity organization.
Final Thoughts
We hope this article will inspire you to donate any items you no longer use or that you have some extra available. Most people might forget that everyday essentials could be just as important of a donation as food or clothes.
Donating everyday essentials like toilet paper and toothpaste might not seem like a big deal to the average person, but you have the opportunity to make someone’s life easier. Next time you come across a ‘buy two, get one free’ special, consider donating that extra item to a charity.
