Moving isn’t just about boxing up your belongings — it’s an opportunity to make an impact. Whether you’re downsizing, upgrading, or simply transitioning to a new place, each move offers a chance to let go of the old and give back to those in need.
At ReSupply, we see every relocation as a powerful moment to serve your community. That’s why we’ve compiled these 10 meaningful donation-friendly tips to help you move with more purpose and less stress.
1. Start With A Donation Mindset
Before you even tape up your first box, take inventory. Ask yourself: “Do I still need this? Could it benefit someone else more?” The average home in the United States contains over 300,000 items. Moving all of them clutters your new space and wastes time and money. A donation-first mindset ensures that you:
- Reduce waste
- Avoid paying to move unused items
- Support trusted local charities
- Cultivate a more intentional home
Pro Tip: Set up a “Donate” bin in each room while you pack to keep it front of mind.
2. Schedule a Donation Pickup Early
Scheduling a donation pickup early in your move can reduce clutter and help you only pack what you truly want to bring with you into your next space. If lugging your items to a donation drop-off location doesn’t fit into your moving timeline, never fear! ReSupply’s full-service donation pickups can be scheduled within 24-48 hours to work around your schedule while ensuring that your gently-used items can have a second life with someone in need.
Booking a donation pickup with ReSupply has several benefits, including:
- Saves you time and trips to donation centers
- Ensures donations go to official charity partners within your community
- Provides tax receipts with every donation
Plus, booking a date keeps you accountable in your decluttering journey—no more “I’ll drop it off next week” delays (we’ve all been there!)
3. Declutter by Category, Not Room
For maximum efficiency, we recommend sorting by category than by room. For example, pick a category to start with and begin going through each room to evaluate items within that category. That way, it is easier to keep track of items with similar functions so you know exactly what to keep and what to donate.
Some decluttering categories include:
- Clothing: The average US consumer throws away 81.5 lbs of clothes a year. When donated to a nonprofit or local charity, those clothes could help someone be set up for a better future.
- Furniture: Over 12 million pounds of furniture are thrown away in the US each year, despite more than 90% of low income families lacking critical furniture items such as couches and beds.
- Kitchenware and appliances: Functional home goods can provide families in need with necessary kitchenwares and utensils, as well as small and large appliances.
This category-driven approach to decluttering reduces decision fatigue and helps you donate more intentionally.
4. Learn What Local Charities Actually Need
When determining if an item that you are done with could be of use to someone else, assess the items for any damage, stains, or other issues that would stop it from being functional. A good rule of thumb would be to ask yourself if you would give the item as a gift. If yes, it is probably a great fit to donate! Some items that make great donations include:
- Usable furniture in good condition
- Working electronics (and chargers!)
- Non-perishable food
- Gently-worn clothing and outerwear
To determine which items a specific charity can take, we recommend getting in touch or checking out their website. Or, you can book a donation pickup with ReSupply, who will match your donated items to local charities within our nationwide network of nonprofits.
5. Label Donation Boxes Clearly While Packing
Avoid confusion on moving day. Use color-coded labels or write “DONATIONS” in bold on any box of housewares that you intend to part with. Make sure to write the labels on the sides of your boxes as well, so that they are clearly labeled even while stacked. This ensures movers and volunteers don’t mix these up with keep-or-throw items.
6. Donate Duplicates
Have three spatulas in your kitchen? Two blenders? An extra sofa in your basement that is gathering dust? Many households accumulate duplicates, and often without even realizing how much extra space these items take up. If you won’t need them all in your new place, moving offers a great opportunity to pass the extras along. Pay attention to the following items while packing to determine if you have extras:
- Gently used bedding
- Kitchen tools
- Home office supplies
- Jackets, scarves, and hats
- Coffee tables and end tables
- Chairs and loveseats
- Mirrors and decor
These items can go from gathering dust in storage to becoming a meaningful part of someone else’s home.
7. Digitize Before You Dump
Old photos, documents, or media can be digitized to save space. Once stored safely in the cloud or on a hard drive, you can shred or responsibly dispose of the originals. This practice helps reduce clutter and better protects your sensitive info.
8. Choose Eco-Friendly Packing Materials
When moving, you will inevitably go through a lot of packing supplies—many of which are not friendly to the environment. Making responsible swaps to incorporate recyclable, compostable, reusable supplies can help reduce your impact for a more sustainable move.
Consider using:
- Biodegradable packing peanuts
- Reusable plastic bins (rentable in many cities)
- Newspaper instead of bubble wrap
Pro tip: Many donation centers will accept clean boxes after your move is complete!
9. Make it a Community Effort
Turn your packing party into a donation drive. Invite friends or neighbors to take anything you won’t need — books, clothes, even small furniture. What feels like clutter to you might be a treasure to someone else.
10. Measure Your Impact
Donating your furniture and home goods doesn’t just help others, but can also help you by making you eligible for tax deductions. When you make a donation, be sure to get a tax receipt to file for tax season.
When you book a donation pickup with ReSupply, you will receive a tax receipt, making keeping track easy.
Make Move Outs Easy With ReSupply
Moving doesn’t have to be just a life transition. It can be a mission. By choosing to declutter responsibly and donate generously, you’re not just starting fresh — you’re supporting communities and creating change. Whether you’re a first-time donor or a regular giver, ReSupply is here to help you move with meaning.
Schedule your donation pickup with ReSupply and give your items a second life where they’re needed most. Call (617) 917-9625 or book online by clicking below.
