Charity shops overwhelmed by unsellable clothing donations

Summary

The Guardian reports that charity shops are being swamped with soiled items and low-quality fast fashion, leaving some donations unsellable. At St Raphael’s Hospice charity shop in Cheam, south London, the commercial manager says the store receives 30 to 50 bags a day, and sometimes more than 100. The article says donation habits shifted during Covid as people sold their best items on Vinted.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   13 Oct 2026, 06:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that charity shops are overwhelmed by soiled items and poor-quality fast fashion, while people sell their best items on Vinted.