How do donation drop off sites sort the stuff they get?
 

For anyone that has worked for a place like GoodWill, Salvation Army, other thrift stores -

What items are wanted? How is the stuff sorted? What is kept? What happens to the stuff that is unwanted?

when I was in MN, the local thrift shop sorted out the sellable items and sent the usable but maybe soiled items to Africa.

I've had bad luck with donating to Goodwill. When we got new furniture we took our old to Goodwill. 40 minutes later when we drove by they had most of the items sitting by the dumpster to be picked up. That was the first and last time we donated anything to any thrift store type place.

We took an almost new love seat and couch to goodwill, they were very happy to take them. We had them for years but, showed no wear. They don't take junky stuff, as no one wants it. Mostly around here it is trucked to other areas. We mostly donate to Goodwill because it is the closest. People bad mouth them like they do Walmart.

I will never donate to Goodwill or Salvation Army as they rejected several types of items my sis and I wanted to donate after our Mom passed away. Where I live we have Christian Mission which gives items directly to people in need - so selling to the public. I also will donate some things (and also shop) at our local Habitat for Humanity store. I’m not even sure that Goodwill still hires the handicapped as they always did years ago - and the stores always have a funky smell.

I give nothing to Good Will because they pay their handicapped employees ao little.

The GW near me takes filthy, dumpy furniture, and good furniture, too.

I was the 'craft lady' at a thrift shop for several years. They take everything except large furniture and large appliances. They send the unsalable stuff to other charities such as the Kidney Foundation, Am Vets, etc. ... most of the unsalable linens, fabric is eventually resold as rags. Clothing sometimes ends up being sent to other countries... from here to Central America and Mexico. If is smells bad it must be discarded.

The Good Will near me takes everything I bring them. I'm not sure why people don't like this organization though.
There are so many to choose from but I haven't researched any of them. Maybe someone who has experience can enlighten me?

If you research, you'll find that AM Vets is extremely poor in getting funds to the people they say they help. That one I avoid completely.