Free Stuff Online - What People Give Away

Every day, thousands of people give away perfectly good stuff on Trash Nothing - furniture, kitchen bits, toys, clothes, books, garden tools and everything in between. Most of it comes from ordinary moments: a clear-out, a move, kids growing fast, or simply wanting things to be reused instead of thrown away.

To get a clearer picture of what people actually pass on, we looked at more than 765,000 listings from 2025. The results show the items that appear most often, the categories people search for every day, and the things that consistently find new homes within hours.

Whether you want to declutter without wasting anything, or to pick up free stuff near you, these patterns offer a useful snapshot of how local sharing works, and why the Trash Nothing community is so good at keeping everyday items in use and out of landfill.

Furniture is the #1 most given category

Furniture tops the list by a huge margin, with over 173,000 free furniture items listed.

If you’ve ever had to clear a room or move house, this won’t come as a surprise, large items are expensive to dispose of and incredibly valuable to someone who needs them.

Most common furniture items given away free:

• Chairs, stools and seating
• Tables and desks
• Beds and mattresses
• Sofas and sofa beds
• Wardrobes, drawers, cabinets, and bookshelves

These essentials often still have years of use left. For many people, Trash Nothing has become the easiest, quickest, and most sustainable way to give away furniture near you without the hassle of selling or dumping it.

Kitchenware & Tableware: The Second Largest Category

With more than 58,000 free kitchen items, this category reflects everyday decluttering. Kitchens tend to collect duplicates—extra pots, pans, mugs, jars, and crockery that someone else can put to immediate use.

Typical kitchen items listed:

• Pots, pans and bakeware
• Plates, bowls, mugs and glasses
• Cutlery and utensils
• Food storage containers
• Chopping boards and small accessories

If you're setting up a home or replacing old items, the kitchenware listings are one of the best places to find free household essentials near you.

Clothing & Accessories: A Constantly Moving Category

More than 63,000 free clothing items were listed, making it one of the most active categories for both giving and receiving.

People frequently pass on:

• Coats, jackets and outerwear
• Branded shoes and trainers
• Handbags, backpacks and accessories
• Wardrobe clear-outs and seasonal clothing bundles

Clothing is easy to rehome, and the community ensures perfectly good garments don’t end up in a landfill. If you’re looking to get free clothes near you, this is an excellent place to start.

Home Décor & Lighting: An Easy Win for Reuse

With 48,685 décor items, this category shows how often people update their homes. Rather than letting old furnishings gather dust, members pass it on to someone who can enjoy it.

Most common décor items:

• Lamps and lampshades
• Mirrors, picture frames and artwork
• Curtains and blinds
• Vases, clocks and decorative pieces

These items are ideal for renters, students, first-time movers, or anyone refreshing a space on a budget.

Seasonal items, especially Christmas decorations, generate a steady volume. Artificial trees, baubles, lights and wreaths take up storage space, so giving them away is easier than keeping them.

Books & Media: A Big Hit With Declutterers

Over 41,000 books, media items and learning resources were given away. This includes:

• Novels and paperbacks
• Textbooks and study guides
• DVDs, CDs and vinyl
• Cookbooks and craft books

Book lovers routinely declutter, and others are delighted to pick up new reads for free.

Other Fast-Growing Categories

Baby, Kids & Toys

Nearly 34,000 items were offered, including prams, Lego sets, toys, cots, craft supplies, clothing bundles, and highchairs. Kids grow fast and reuse helps families keep up without spending a fortune. See more about finding Free Baby Stuff.

Garden & Outdoors

With 33,641 listings, this category includes lawnmowers, planters, pots, tools, hoses, compost, BBQs, and even outdoor furniture. Seasonal activity keeps this category lively year-round.

Appliances (Large & Small)

Tens of thousands of appliances were passed on, everything from fridges and freezers to microwaves, sewing machines, kettles, heaters, fans, and dehumidifiers. Many still work perfectly but are given away due to moving home, needing space, minor cosmetic damage or being given a new appliance.

Full breakdown of what people are giving away

What These Trends Tell Us About the Trash Nothing Community

From furniture to kitchen gadgets to kids’ gear, the data makes one thing clear: people genuinely want their things to be reused.

A few key insights stand out:

• Most people would rather give something away for free than throw it out.
• Large items like sofas and beds move just as quickly as small ones.
• The platform reflects real life—decluttering, moving house, welcoming new children, upgrading appliances, or simply changing tastes.
• The circular economy is thriving because of everyday generosity.

Every time someone lists a free item, they help another person and prevent unnecessary waste.

If this has inspired you, it’s easy to get started. You can quickly:

• Give away furniture near you
• Offer free household items
• Pass on clothes, books, kitchenware and more
• Help someone locally while reducing waste

Here’s to the next 765,000 items finding new homes—one generous offer at a time.

You can also see where in the UK people give the most stuff, and where in the USA is most popular for donating free items.

FAQ: What People Give Away & How to Get Free Stuff

1. What items get picked up the fastest on Trash Nothing?
   Furniture, baby items, tools, bikes, kitchenware and small appliances tend to go within hours because people actively search for them every day.

2. Why do people give away perfectly good things?
   Most members are decluttering, moving home, upgrading appliances or simply prefer reuse over landfill. Giving something away is easier and more sustainable than disposing of it.

3. Can I ask for free stuff as well as offer it?
   Yes. You can post a “wanted” listing for items you need, from furniture to kids’ gear to household essentials. Many people enjoy helping someone locally.

4. Is it safe to give away or receive free items?
   Yes. Listings are local, and most exchanges are quick doorstep pickups. Just inspect items before taking them and avoid sharing unnecessary personal information.

5. How do I find free stuff near me?
   Browse your local group, follow specific categories, or enable notifications. Furniture, kitchenware, books and baby items are listed daily.

6. What if I have a large item like a sofa or wardrobe?
   Large items are among the most rehomed. Include clear measurements and collection details. Many members have vans or are already looking for bulky items.

7. Can I give away broken items?
   Yes , as long as you describe the issue in your listing. Many people pick up items for parts, repair or upcycling.

8. What shouldn’t I give away?
   Any items that are dangerous, illegal, or contain hazardous materials. Always check local regulations for things like mattresses, chemicals, or safety-critical baby items.

9. Do people actually respond to listings?
   Absolutely. With hundreds of thousands of active members, most items find new homes quickly.

Trash Nothing app and website

Trash Nothing has nearly 3 million members, everything is free, and the community gives away a lot!

You can use this website or download the Android App or iPhone App - it’s really simple and just takes a couple of minutes to set up.

1. Create an account on the site or app using your email address, or with a Facebook, Google, Microsoft, or Yahoo account
2. Tell it where you are and how big an area you want to see posts for
3. Have a look at anything of interest
4. If you don’t find something straight away, you can create one or more Alerts based on a few words e.g. ‘baby clothes’ or ‘kitchen table’ and you’ll get an instant alert as soon as someone offers something you are interested in. As soon as you find something you want, hit Reply.
5. You can also make a Request - let people locally know what you are looking for.

It’s that simple!