Goodwill depends on donations. Every bag of clothes, kitchenware, books, or furniture helps keep the stores running and gives someone else the chance to buy things they actually need at a lower cost. Most donations are thoughtful and genuinely helpful.

And then there are the donations that leave employees wondering what on earth people were thinking.

A lot happens behind the scenes after someone drops off a box at Goodwill. Employees have to sort through everything by hand, check whether items are safe, clean, usable, and legal to resell, then figure out what can actually go onto the sales floor. That’s why certain donations create major problems instead of helping.

One donation even forced a Goodwill store to evacuate after someone dropped off what looked like a grenade. It turned out to be a novelty item, but the staff had no way of knowing that at first. Once something appears dangerous, it has to be treated seriously.

Stories like that sparked conversations online about the strangest and most frustrating things people donate. Some items are obvious no-gos. Others are things people probably assume are fine until workers are stuck trying to deal with them.

Here are some of the items Goodwill really wishes people would stop donating.

old newspaper — Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Construction Materials

Loose lumber, drywall, tiles, and other building supplies aren’t part of their resale model.

Office Cubicles

Entire cubicle systems show up more often than you’d think. They’re massive, hard to move, and not practical for retail stores.

Tires

They require special disposal and can’t be resold through Goodwill stores.

Broken Items

If it doesn’t work, can’t be repaired, or is missing key parts, it’s not helping anyone. Broken donations cost time and money to dispose of safely.

Wet or Moldy Items

Once something is wet, it’s often unsalvageable. Mold spreads quickly, and it can contaminate nearby donations before anyone realizes what’s happening.

Bowling Balls

They’re heavy, hard to display, and rarely sell. Some locations list them specifically because they show up more often than you’d expect.

Chemicals and Paint

This includes cleaners, solvents, and leftover paint cans. These are hazardous materials and can’t be handled or disposed of like regular donations.

Carpeting

Even unused rolls are difficult to process and store. Used carpet is a definite no.

Water Beds

They’re bulky, outdated, and nearly impossible to resell or safely display.

Hot Tubs

Yes, people try. No, Goodwill cannot accept them.

Built-In Appliances

Dishwashers, ovens, and other built-in appliances aren’t accepted, even if they technically still work.

Propane Tanks

These are safety hazards and cannot be stored or sold.

Scuba Oxygen Tanks

Anything pressurized is a no-go due to safety risks.

Encyclopedias

Once valuable, now almost impossible to move. Most locations can’t give them away, let alone sell them.

Old Newspapers

Even neatly stacked bundles usually end up recycled. They’re rarely suitable for resale.

Goodwill isn’t trying to be ungrateful. Donations are still the foundation of what they do. But when unusable, unsafe, or impractical items come through the door, they pull resources away from the mission job training, community programs, and getting quality items into the hands of people who need them.