What happens to your donation?
When you donate to Good Sammy, you’re doing more than passing something on — you’re helping people, reducing waste, and supporting jobs for people with disability.
But what actually happens after you donate?
Here’s how we make the most of every item.
Step 1: We check and sort your donation
When your donation arrives at a Good Sammy store or yellow donation hub, our team gets to work.
Each item is checked by hand for quality, cleanliness and safety.
Items in good condition go to our op shops.
Items with small flaws may go to our Factory Outlet.
Some donations are sent for export.
Others are recycled or repurposed if they can’t be sold.
“If something isn’t store-grade, we always look for another way to use it,” says Circular Economy Coordinator, Janelle.
Our team — many of whom are people with disability — gain hands-on experience in sorting, customer service, logistics and more.
We also work with recycling partners to handle things like:
Plastics – through Claw Environmental
Metals – through AAA Metal Recycling
Electronic waste (e-waste) – through Total Green Recycling
Mattresses – through Soft Landing
Books and cardboard – through Veolia and Remondis
If an item doesn’t meet safety standards or can’t be reused or recycled, it may go to landfill — but that’s our last resort.
Step 2: We prepare items for sale
If your item is clean, safe and in good shape, it gets prepped for sale.
Clothes are hung and displayed in store.
Homewares, books, and accessories are sorted, grouped and shelved.
High-value or designer items may be featured in-store or online.
This process creates jobs and skill-building opportunities. People like:
Ben, who replaces watch batteries.
Krissie, who bundles craft materials.
Gary, who patiently untangles jewellery and pairs earrings.
Even DVDs are checked and books are sorted by genre. Books that don’t sell quickly may be offered to wholesale buyers or sent to community groups.
Step 3: We recycle or repurpose what can’t be sold
If something can’t be sold, we try to find another way to keep it out of landfill.
Here’s what happens next:
Textile recycling – We partner with ThreadUp to recycle worn-out clothes, turning them into insulation or furniture fill.
Cleaning rags – Old towels and t-shirts are cut into rags for cleaning and industry.
Creative reuse – Some items are repurposed by schools, councils, or small businesses. For example: cushion fill becomes toy stuffing or boxing bags.
E-waste recovery – Faulty electronics are stripped for parts or donated to programs like Technology for the Aged and Disabled.
Book recycling – Damaged books are stripped of covers and sent for paper recycling.
Nothing is wasted if we can help it — every donation is considered for its highest and best use.
Step 4: We create jobs and opportunities
What sets Good Sammy apart is the people behind every item. More than half our team are people with disability who receive training and career development support across all areas of our organisation — from retail and warehousing to customer service, hospitality and administration.
Every donated item plays a role in building confidence, skills, and independence.
“The benefit of donating to Good Sammy is that your items support real jobs and training for people with disability,” says Janelle.
What makes us different
At Good Sammy, we’re proud to do things a bit differently.
Disability employment – Every item supports inclusive job opportunities.
Sustainability – We reduce landfill and promote reuse through recycling, ragging, and Containers for Change.
- Local processing and partnerships – through our Factory Outlet in Canning Vale, partnerships and other local markets, Good Sammy keep a lot more in WA.
Careful sorting – We present only quality, clean items in-store.
Community engagement – We work with schools, TAFEs, councils, and community groups to promote sustainability and inclusion.
Your donation makes a difference
The next time you declutter, remember — your donation isn’t just helping someone else.
It’s supporting local jobs, reducing waste, and building a better future.
From clothing and books to household items — every item counts.
Thanks for putting your donation in good hands.
