where to donate clothing & household items in qatar (& what to do instead)
People often contact me to ask where to donate their items so here are a few tips on how to cut down on clutter & responsibility discard what no longer serves you.
Before you buy, reflect on what you need & get creative:
Okay, technically this one isn’t about donating, but hear me out. We can save our future self from having to get rid of items in the first place.
Talking about donating is sort of like talking about treating a symptom without looking at the pain point. Which is, you guessed it: our purchasing habits. If we can alter how/when/why we buy items in the first place, this can impact our need to get rid of things in the future. While this will be a longer discussion for a future post, I wanted to add a gentle nudge here toward finding creative solutions before we jump to buying things in the first place.
Consider giving or swapping items with someone you know first:
It’s a complicated subject, but sustainability experts in the know highlight that much of what we donate through conventional recycling, take-back programmes, thrift stores & donation bins doesn’t end of getting used in the long run & ends up doing more harm then good. This is why I recommend trying to explore options to give directly first. Events like clothing swaps with friends & family, donating specific items to local organisations in need, or letting people choose for themselves what they like from what you have can be an excellent way to start. You can also think of members in your community who work around you who may benefit from your items or be happy to send them home to family.
The Tidy Vibes Community Collective organises events such as Free Clothing Pop-Up Shops & clothing swaps, so join our mailing list if you’d like to get involved!
If you’re interested in learning more on these topics, the Clothes Horse podcast & Instagram has a bunch of well-research information that ‘decodes and demystifies the fashion industry, so you can make better decisions about what you buy’.
Explore Direct Selling & Renting Options:
Online marketplaces where you can sell items can often be a great way to make sure that your discarded items have a second life. When I was pregnant during the pandemic, I discovered The Octopus Club in the UK which is a preloved marketplace for buying, selling & donating items for babies, kids & parents. More than just a marketplace it’s a community of like-minded parents & kids that are positively transforming the way we think about preloved items. Consider joining a club like this & bring your items with you when you go home on holiday!
Clothing rental is another fun way to extend the life of your clothes! Here in Qatar, Indelg, allows you to ‘consciously curate your closet’ by renting (or loaning) designer clothing & promotes sustainability.
Organisations that accept donations in Qatar:
HIFZ ALNAEMA is a community initiative created the first food bank in Qatar & do humanitarian work to support underprivileged families in Qatar.
They accept: food, clothing, kitchen items, slippers, small furniture, electrical & electronic items.
Contact the Hotline for drop-off info at 4435-5555 or on WhatsApp at 6666-3615 for arrange collection (normally within 2 days)
QATAR CHARITY is an international charity working on humanitarian projects.
They accept in-kind donations through the Tayf programme: clothes, shoes, children’s toys, furniture, electrical or electronic appliances, jewellery, & cars.
There are 95+ drop-off bins in Qatar & you can contact them to arrange for collection.
PAWS RESCUE QATAR is an organisation that provides a safe haven for animals in need.
They accept household items, funds & food. You can view the full list here.
Are there other organisation that you like to donate to in Qatar? Send me an email & let me know so I can help spread the word!
When you choose TIDY VIBES services, I remove your donation items & take care of them for you!
