With so much that gets trashed, why can’t there be a new type of store?
I understand that some of what is trashed by goodwill after being donated is because it is bug-infested (or suspected to be) or bug and bulky, and I know that warehouse space is obviously not cheap. But what if, in addition to the boutiques, the normal stores, and the outlets, a new type of place was created: overstock.
This is where they would have trucks take away everything that couldn’t go in the store and wasn’t bug-infested. They would just literally dump stuff all over the ground inside a huge building, not sorted or anything. For a flat rate of say $20, you can come in and take whatever you want. Unlike the bins/outlets, it wouldn’t be by the pound. And no carts or checkouts, just maybe large/garbage bags. You haul away whatever you want. They also would routinely invite actual charities to come and take whatever they need and write off the whole thing. Everything gets cycled through monthly and only then does stuff get trashed.
I don’t know the legal/tax implications of it, but I think it would be a good look for them. Thoughts?
Posted May 11, 2025, 4:41 PM UTC