Can you donate it?

All items · Media & books

Magazines, newspapers and periodicals

Also covers: old magazines, newspapers, periodicals, journals

Can you donate magazines, newspapers and periodicals to a UK charity shop? Usually not.

The short answer Almost all say no Of the 153 UK charities we track, 10 say no and 1 says yes. Evidence last verified

Why shops may refuse it

They don't sell, and shops pay to dispose of what doesn't.

What to do instead

Use paper recycling for ordinary outdated material. Doctors' surgeries, community groups or specialist archives may take recent or locally significant issues — ask before delivering them.

Charity by charity

11 mentions
Not mentioned in 142 charities' guidance

Absence from a charity's list doesn't mean they accept it — it just isn't singled out. Ask your local shop.