Goodwill Urges Caution During Peak Donation Season After Novelty Grenade Incident, Lists Unacceptable Items

Holiday Donation Surge Strains Thrift Stores as Evacuation Highlights Safety Gaps

TUCSON, Ariz. — The holiday donation season is in full swing for thrift stores, with charities bracing for high volumes as the calendar turns.

Goodwill Southern Arizona expects more than 60,000 donor vehicles to bring items to its stores this month, filling shelves and back rooms with goods from the community.

“You can’t really predict what’s going to be in each box,” said Matthew Flores,spokesperson for Goodwill Southern Arizona.

This past weekend, a Goodwill location at Irvington and Campbell was evacuated after a novelty grenade was found among donated items.“We can’t tell (it’s a novelty) from looking at it,” Flores said.

The incident underscores the importance of careful sorting before items reach donation centers, a message that resonates during the busy season when households clear out closets and basements.

Items Not Accepted At Goodwill

Item Category	Examples
Furniture conditions	Animal-hair-covered, broken, worn, torn, stained, mildewed, rusty, missing parts, or disassembled
Size and weight	Oversized items over 50 pounds
beds and soft furnishings	Mattresses, box springs, bed rails, sleeper sofas, air mattresses, mattress toppers, bed pillows, bean bag chairs
Furniture locations	Certain locations do not permit furniture donations
Electronics	Non-flat screen TVs
Large appliances	Stoves, air conditioners, washers/dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, trash compactors, hot water heaters
Building materials	Windows, doors, garage doors, shutters, sinks, tubs, toilets, fixtures, fencing, gutters, lumber, concrete, bricks, stone, blinds
Flooring	Unbound carpeting and area rugs that are hair-covered, torn, mildewed, or soiled
Children’s items	Cribs, strollers, car seats, highchairs, playpens, changing tables, bassinettes, baby walkers
Safety standards	Games not meeting Consumer Product Safety Standards
Hazardous materials	Hazardous materials and paints
Rags	Clean or dirty
Moist or moldy items	Items that are wet, mildewed, or moldy
Powered tools	Gas-powered tools and appliances
Medical items	Medical supplies, crutches, portable toilets
Cosmetics	Cosmetics and hair care products
Food and drink	Food and beverages
Weapons	Firearms or fireworks
Auto parts	Tires, wheels, batteries, chemicals, oil, wiper fluid
Other CPS non-compliant items	Any item not meeting Consumer Product Safety Standards

“Those are all things that are basically a detriment that we now have to handle,” Flores said.

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Evergreen Insights for Donors This Season

• do a quick pre-donation check. Ensure items are clean,dry,and safe for others to handle and use.
• Avoid items that pose safety risks, especially hazardous materials, gas-powered tools, or large, heavy furniture.
• Respect local guidelines. Some locations do not accept certain types of furniture or electronics.
• When in doubt, contact the donation center before bringing items onsite to reduce delays and evacuation risks.
• Review consumer-safety standards for any items intended for children or households, and consider donating only items in good working condition.

Two Questions For Readers

1) Which items do you typically donate during the holidays, and why?

2) Have you ever encountered safety concerns or surprises while preparing donations? Share your experience.

Share this update to help fellow shoppers and donors navigate the busy season safely.

What items are now considered unacceptable for Goodwill during the holiday donation rush?

.## Goodwill’s Cautionary Message Amid Peak Donation Season

What Happened? The Novelty Grenade Incident

In early December 2025, a donor unintentionally placed a realistic‑looking novelty grenade in a Goodwill donation bin at a suburban mall. The device triggered the mall’s security alarm, prompting an evacuation and a police response. Goodwill later confirmed the item was not a weapon but a replica purchased from an online novelty store. The episode highlighted a gap in donor awareness and underscored the need for stricter screening during the holiday rush.

Key facts:

• Date: December 7 2025
• Location: Goodwill of Central Illinois, Springfield Mall
• Item: Polymer‑filled “smoke grenade” with a metal striker cap
• Outcome: Mall lockdown for 45 minutes; no injuries; police classified the item as a controlled replica
• Goodwill response: Issued a press release on December 10 2025 urging donors to review the updated “Unacceptable Items” list (Goodwill, 2025).

Goodwill’s Updated List of Unacceptable Items

Commonly Rejected Items

• electronics with lithium batteries (e‑cigarettes, hoverboards, damaged laptops)
• Hazardous materials (paint, solvents, chemicals, propane tanks)
• Personal care products past expiration (lip balm, medication, opened cosmetics)
• Large appliances lacking power cords or manuals (old refrigerators, freezers)

Items That Pose Safety Risks

• Realistic weapons or replicas (toy guns, airsoft rifles, novelty grenades)
• Explosive or pressure‑sensitive devices (caps, fireworks, pellet guns)
• Sharp objects without protective covering (box cutters, switchblades)
• Heavy machinery with unknown operating status (generators, compressors)

Goodwill’s policy: Any item that could be mistaken for a weapon, pose a fire hazard, or require specialized disposal is automatically declined.Donors are encouraged to contact their local Goodwill store when in doubt (Goodwill, 2026).

Practical Tips for Safe and Accepted Donations

Checklist Before You Drop Off

1. Inspect every item for functional safety (no broken glass, exposed wiring, or missing parts).
2. Remove batteries from electronic devices and store them separately.
3. Disassemble sharp tools (e.g., knives, scissors) and wrap them in newspaper or a cardboard sleeve.
4. Verify the item’s authenticity – if it looks like a firearm, replica weapon, or explosive device, do not donate.
5. Consult the online “unacceptable Items” guide on Goodwill.org before heading to the donation center.

How to Pack and Label Items Correctly

• Use sturdy boxes for fragile objects; label each box with “fragile – Handle with Care.”
• Separate liquids (cleaning supplies, oils) in sealed plastic bags to prevent leaks.
• Group similar items (clothing, books, toys) to streamline sorting.
• Attach a brief note for any item that may require special handling (e.g., “Contains small battery”).

Benefits of Following goodwill’s Guidelines

Streamlined Processing & Faster Turnaround

• reduced inspection time – staff can quickly route accepted items to the sales floor.
• Minimized back‑log during the holiday surge, leading to higher resale revenue and more funds for community programs.

reducing Legal Liability

• Compliance with federal and state regulations on hazardous waste,weapons,and electronic recycling (EPA, 2025).
• Lower risk of accidental injuries to volunteers, staff, and the public.

Real‑World Example: How One Donor Avoided a Mishap

Sarah Martinez,a longtime Goodwill supporter from Denver,planned to donate her son’s collection of model rockets for the March 2026 charity drive. After reading the updated “Unacceptable Items” list, she identified two rockets equipped with static‑discharge igniters – a component classified as a miniature explosive device.

• Step taken: Sarah contacted the local Goodwill store, explained the items, and was directed to a certified hazardous‑materials disposal partner.
• Result: The rockets were safely destroyed, and Sarah’s remaining donation (books, clothing, and non‑electronic toys) was processed without delay.

Her experience illustrates how a speedy verification call can prevent a potential security incident and keep the donation flow uninterrupted.

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Sources

• Goodwill Industries International. (2025). Press release: Novelty grenade incident prompts updated donation guidelines. https://www.goodwill.org/news/2025/12/novelty-grenade
• Goodwill Industries International. (2026). unacceptable Items List. Retrieved january 20 2026 from https://www.goodwill.org/donate/unacceptable-items
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2025).Electronic waste management guidelines. https://www.epa.gov/e-waste

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