Donating and recycling used disability equipment
When you have disability equipment that is no longer needed, you may be able to give it to someone else.
Scope does not accept equipment donations.
But you can donate them to other charities that recycle equipment.
Return your equipment
If the NHS, social services or another support service supplied your equipment, find out if they will take it back. They may be able to offer it to another person.
Contact the department that supplied your equipment to find out if you can return it. Ask if they will collect the equipment or if you have to return it yourself.
Contact your local occupational therapist to ask about local schemes to reuse equipment.
Find contact details for your local authority’s social services (GOV.UK)
Medequip works with the NHS and social services. Find out on their website if you can return your equipment to them.
If it is a specialist piece of equipment, you could also ask the manufacturer if they will collect or accept a return of the item.
Donate to charities that recycle equipment
There are several charities that accept donations of used disability equipment.
Please contact them in advance to check that they can use the items you have to offer.
In most cases, you will need to arrange delivery of the equipment, so try the nearest to you:
Disabled Equipment Sent Overseas in Ashford, Kent
Jacob's Well Appeal in Beverley
Limbcare in Surrey
Medigive in Hailsham, East Sussex collects medical supplies, including ostomy bags and stoma bags, as well as crutches and walkers, to send overseas.
Mobility Equipment Recycling Scheme in Warrington
PhysioNet in North Yorkshire
Wheels to Heal in Scotland (UK collections)
Donate a prosthetic leg
Offer your item for free
You can list items that you want to give away on these websites:
You could offer your item through Facebook groups or a local disability organisation. They may feature your item in their newsletter.
Local disability organisations
You can use these directories to find local disability organisations.
Map of disabled people's organisations (Choices and Rights Disability Coalition)
List of user-led organisations (Shaping our Lives)
List of deaf and disabled people’s organisations (Inclusion London)
Sell your item
You could ask buyers to donate to charity in return for the item. Or you could donate the proceeds through eBay.
Recycling disability equipment
If the equipment is not in a good enough condition to reuse, there are some options for recycling.
You may be able to recycle some items through your local authority’s waste service, such as:
- electrical goods
- household appliances
- batteries
- mobile phones
Use Recycle Now’s search tool to find out what they can recycle locally.
For large items such as mobility aids, beds and wheelchairs, you will need to arrange delivery to your local Household Recycling Centre.
You may be able to arrange a ‘bulky item collection’. There is generally a cost for collection.
Some local authorities will charge for recycling or disposal of large items. This can vary.
Last reviewed by Scope on: 23/07/2024
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