How & Where to Donate Power Tools

Donating a used power tool is a fantastic way to do a bit of good in the world. It’s easy, too, and you have loads of options: from recycling centres to hobby clubs and everything in between.

In this blog post we’ll look at ways you can donate your tool and feel that warm altruistic glow. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Where to donate power tools
• Why donate your old power tool?
• Donate power tools to charity

Let’s get started.

Where to Donate Old Power Tools?

You might be surprised by how many ways there are to donate used power tools. Some are obvious, i.e. visiting a recycling centre, but others are less so!

Here are 6 ways you can donate your used tool.

1. Donate to a Charity Shop: Before you try this, take note: not all charity shops can accept power tools! To do so they must have the ability to PAT test all donations, which is beyond the expertise or time capacity most charity shops have.
2. Give to a Friend: Perhaps the easiest way to donate a used power tool is to donate it to a friend. This is perfect if you’ve got a friend who’s looking to get into DIY but doesn’t have the budget to buy tools.
3. Visit a Local Refuse and Recycling Centre: Taking a power tool to a refuse and recycling centre is a quick way to get rid of it and is a great solution if you don’t have much time or aren’t too fussed about where it eventually ends up.
4. Donate to a Tool Library: Tool libraries - or tool sections in libraries of things - are fantastic local initiatives that give people access to tools (and other items) they wouldn’t be able to use otherwise.
5. Support a Local Hobby Group: People love to get together in the common pursuit of a shared hobby, and many of these could make use of tools.
6. Contact the Manufacturer: Some tool manufacturers operate systems whereby they collect and recycle their customer’s tools. Tapping into their ability to recycle is a fantastic way to ensure your tool is disposed of safely, and with minimal fuss.

Why Donate Your Old Power Tools?

The main reason to donate a power tool when you’re done with it is that it can still be used! Whatever your reason for getting rid of a functional tool, this shouldn’t stop someone else making good use of it.

Here are a handful of compelling reasons to donate an old power tool:

• Environmental impact: Recycling or donating power tools reduces waste and promotes a more sustainable approach by extending the life cycle of these tools.
• Community support: Many community projects operate on very tight budgets and may not have the funds to buy the tools they need, meaning that your donation supports important community work.
• Economic empowerment: Donating tools to organisations that support entrepreneurs or small businesses who need tools but don’t have the funds to acquire them makes a positive contribution to the economy.
• Skills development: Donated tools can also be used to help educate people who may not otherwise have access to tools and the education required to safely use them.
• Less clutter: Not all the reasons are selfless! Donating a tool means you don’t have it cluttering up your garage or workshop any more, freeing up space for something else (a shiny new power tool, perhaps?)

Donate Power Tools to Charity

From reading this blog we hope you have a better understanding of the various avenues available for tool donation. Of these options, donating to a charity opens up the most manifold benefits.

And what’s more, there is no shortage of organisations on the lookout for donations. Charities and charitable groups are the lifeblood of the UK’s communities: a way for people to contribute to something larger than themselves, and to support positive outcomes for individuals and communities that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.

While the list of tools that charities need is almost endless, here are some common examples:

• Power drills: Drills are incredibly versatile and can be used by charities for everything from construction to repairs and assembly of components.
• Welding equipment: Many charities offer vocational skills development to get people into the workplace, with welding being a popular option.
• Circular saws: Similarly to the above, carpentry is a popular vocational skill. Charities are often involved in the construction of structures, too.
• Nail guns and staplers: Charities need to build displays, display literature and documentation, and many other small tasks that are made much easier by these tools.

This is just a small selection of tools a charity might need. If you’re interested in donating power tools to charity, we recommend getting in touch with groups that align with your interests and seeing whether your tools would be useful to them.

Support a Worthy Cause and Donate Your Power Tools

There are many reasons to get rid of a power tool, and if the tool still works, there are plenty of ways to make sure someone can get use out of it. Whether it’s to a friend, a charity, or a tool library, donating your tool feels good, helps others, and reduces clutter - it’s a three-way win!