Stamp out waste
When you receive post, don’t throw away the stamps – recycle them and help one of the many charities and organisations who collect them.
Below lists some of the main stamp collecting schemes in the UK.
Please note
Most charities and organisations request that you leave approximately 1cm of paper around each stamp and separate UK from foreign/ overseas stamps.
BRITTLE BONE SOCIETY
The Brittle Bone Society collects and then sells on all types of used stamps. Last year the BBS made £600 from stamp collecting.
Send stamps (you can also send coins and postcards to this address, the older the better!) to:
Mr and Mrs J Price
57 Mount Pleasant
Swansea
West Glamorgan
Wales
SA1 6EQ
http://www.brittlebone.org/fundraising_supportbbs.htm
DHIVERSE
This charity works to reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS. They accept postcards as well as stamps.
To donate unwanted stamps or postcards please either drop them into one of their centres or send them via post to:
The Stamps Team
DHIVERSE
Office B
Dales Brewery
Gwydir Street
Cambridge
CB1 2LJ
http://www.dhiverse.org.uk/_stampsAndCoins.htm
HEARING DOGS FOR DEAF PEOPLE
To help raise vital funds for hearing dogs for deaf people, send your used stamps direct to their dealer marked Hearing Dogs for Deaf People at:
PO Box 6198
Leighton Buzzard
Beds
LU7 9GW
The dealer doesn’t have the facilities to be able to acknowledge your gift – but rest assured every stamp you send plays a part in enabling them to help more deaf people and unwanted dogs.
• In 2004 you helped them raise £1,972 by recycling your stamps.
• In 2006 you helped them part-train a hearing dog called Penny, a black Labrador.
• They are now well on the way to sponsoring a third hearing dog through your stamp recycling!
Postcards
The Hearing Dogs For Deaf People fundraisers in Scotland are raising funds from picture postcards as well as stamps. The card and stamp on it have to be left intact as the dealer has a special method of deleting address details and ensuring privacy. For further information, please contact their regional fundraiser in Scotland Margaret Arthur by email margaret.arthur@hearingdogs.org.uk or on 0141 812 6542.
http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/fr_d_other_donate.php
LEUKAEMIA CARE
For every kilo of stamps that is recycled, Leukaemia CARE receives a donation of £3 (if they are British stamps) or £13 (if they are foreign).
Please send your used stamps to:
Leukaemia CARE
Charity Stamp Support
46 Church Hill
Chorley
Lancashire
PR6 7LQ
Please ensure that Leukaemia CARE is clearly marked on the donation as many other charities also use this company. If possible, please send foreign stamps separately, with the envelope being clearly marked with ‘foreign stamps for Leukaemia CARE’.
If you are recycling for Leukaemia CARE and would like to tell other people, why not ring them for a poster or label for the front of your recycling box?
If you have any questions regarding recycling in aid of Leukaemia CARE, just call the Fundraising Team on 0845 521 3456.
http://www.raise4leukaemia.org.uk/corporate/recycling
OXFAM
Oxfam collect stamps and they can be dropped of at any Oxfam second hand shop, albums and collections are particularly welcome, but they accept all used stamps (foreign or UK).
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shops/content/stamps.html
RNIB
Stamps are collected and sold by weight and the RNIB receives 90p to £1 for 1lb of stamps. They request that you sort stamps into British/Overseas.
Send the used stamps to:
RNIB Stamp Recycling
PO Box 185
BENFLEET
SS7 9BH
http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/PublicWebsite/public_frstamps.hcsp
RSPB Save The Albatross
Longline fishing is having a devastating impact on albatross populations across the world - 19 out of 22 species of albatross are threatened with extinction.
The success of this campaign will depend on your support and you can help them raise even more by sending them the used stamps from your post, which they can sell.
They can raise money from ALL types of stamps – whether they are used or un-used, UK, foreign or even first day covers. For example, they raise up to £3.50 per kg for UK stamps and £12.50 per kg for foreign stamps.
If possible, please separate UK and foreign stamps when you give them to the RSPB.
Post your stamps to:
RSPB Stamps
PO Box 6198
Leighton Buzzard
Bedfordshire
LU7 9XT.
People wanting to donate first-day covers or stamp albums can send them to:
Save the Albatross Stamp Appeal (Special Stamps and Albums)
RSPB
The Lodge
Sandy
Bedfordshire
SG19 2DL
If you have a large number of stamps, the most economic way for you to get them to the RSPB, is to combine delivering them with a great day out to one of their nature reserves. You can see some fabulous birds, enjoy the countryside and help the albatross all in one go. A list of the nature reserves that will take stamps can be found to the right of the page linked below.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/albatross/howyoucanhelp/stamps.asp