At commonkind, our mission is to support disadvantaged Australians through kindness-driven programs. While our focus is on people, we know that the planet matters too – especially to the children and youth who lead and inspire our work.
This Recycling Week, we’re proud to celebrate the theme “Join the Cycle” by sharing 10 simple ways families can recycle, reuse, and upcycle – while supporting causes that matter.
We accept donations of various household items for our community service initiatives. Check out just some of the ways you can help us and other charities by donating your items. Reach out to us if you might be able to help.
1. Children’s artworks
Are you keen to clear out “that” draw filled with your child’s precious drawings but not got the heart to toss them in the recycling bin? Here’s a win-win for your home and the environment. Consider donating your child’s artwork through our “Art with Heart” art-repurposing community projects, you can spread kindness to disadvantaged members of the community while ensuring that your child’s creativity continues to brighten someone’s day. Your donation of original artworks can contribute to the beauty of shared spaces, fostering a sense of community and creativity for those who may not have access to such experiences otherwise.
2. Wool, yarn and needles
Inspired by the beautiful donation of knitting needles and wool from a local community member after her mother passed, consider donating any balls of yarn and knitting/crochet needles to our All You Needle Is Love community knitting project. Each year we choose a charity and knit/crochet our little hearts out for a cause important to our child and youth changemakers. Whether it be blankets for vulnerable newborns or beanies for people sleeping rough. Your donations help provide the resources for our young crafters to make a difference.
3. Craft materials
We love those little bits of pieces hanging around the back of your cupboard – opened pots of craft paint or half a packet of stickers? Wonderful – we use these in our Kind Cards for people experiencing social isolation. Loom bands, beads and jewellery making materials? Great – we use these in our Send a Smile kits for children entering emergency care. You name it, there’s a high likelihood we can take it – just don’t tell our Founder’s husband as their garage is slowly being taken over by these just in case items!
4. Board Games
Board games are very popular in our Heart to Heart Intergenerational Learning Programs between children and elders. If you have any lying around that are still in good condition and no longer being used, we’d love to put them to use in breaking down generational barriers and creating new connections and memories through play.
5. Colouring in books
How many colouring in books do you have lying around the house that have annoyingly been mostly done (or not at all)? Just us? We thought not. We assure you, in 6 months your child will not suddenly remember that they left page 17 uncoloured. Rip out those uncoloured pages and give them to us – we’ll include them in our Send a Smile packages for children going into emergency care placements.
6. Used (but working) school stationery
Drop-off old school supplies to our Charity Partner Stationery Aid, who collect and redistribute unused or excess school supplies to make booklists for Aussie students who might otherwise do without.
7. Baby clothes
Children grow fast! Donate gently used clothing (especially under size 5) to our Charity Partner Baby Give Back, who ensure items go directly to families in need.
8. Nappies
Unused nappies can be donated to our Charity Partner The Nappy Collective, helping families who are doing it tough. It’s a small act with a big impact.
9. Children’s books
Children’s books from newborn to young adult are in high demand by Care Kits for Kids Qld. If your books are in excellent condition, consider donating them to this worthy charity.
10. Cans, bottles and other recyclable containers
We would love you to consider donating your 10c containers to us to fund the materials for our sessions. We are fully volunteer-run so every cent goes to running our programs to empower children and young people to cerate kinder and more connected communities through service. In QLD, our Containers for Change Scheme ID is C11462570. Thank you for being a changemaker!
Got something to recycle?
By joining the cycle, families can make a difference – not just for the planet, but for people too. Recycling isn’t just about bins and bottles—it’s about rethinking what we use, how we share, and who we help.
Want to get involved? Reach out to us or explore our programs to see how your family can contribute.
