How can I reuse or recycle old stamps?

An old postage stampMy mum and dad came to visit us yesterday and given my dad’s philatelic obsession, we heard a lot about stamps. A LOT ABOUT STAMPS.

My dad specialises in old King Edward VII stamps from around the Commonwealth (or something) but it got me thinking about regular, boring, not-very-collectable postage stamps.

In the past, I’ve heard of various charities that collect them to raise money – particularly stamps from overseas – but don’t know any details. Anyone know of any in particular?

And aside from that, any other ideas about things to do with them?

(Photo by adamci)

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109 Responses to “How can I reuse or recycle old stamps?”


  1. matt scholey says:

    St Gemmas Hospice in Leeds can turn our old stamps into cash. i’m sure other chrities can as well.

    Matt.

  2. nicola says:

    send stamps to genesis breast cancer prevention centre.to
    sue griffiths
    48 stokes st
    clayton
    manchester
    m11 4qd

    leave some paper around the stamp

    • Tracy Cook says:

      Do you still collect used stamps? Have always sent to Guide Dogs for the Blind but they are stopping collectiong by end of 2007 and am looking for another worthwhile cause to send used stamps on to.

      • Alison says:

        PDSA will make good use of your old stamps We are a charity who care for sick and injured animals.

        Stamps can be sent to myself
        A Howley
        23 Thorndene Avenue
        Carfin
        Motherwell
        Lanarkshire
        Scotland
        ML1 4DT

        OR

        PDSA Stamp Appeal
        PO Box 9191
        Wishaw
        Lanarkshire
        ML2 0YB

  3. Cadan ap Tomos says:

    Oxfam collect them, so do the RNLI, and the RNIB, and the Guide Dogs for the blind…. Search for “recycle stamps charities” in Google.

  4. Cadan ap Tomos says:

    Actually, take back what i said earlier. My charity (CECB) are collecting stamps to raise funds. You can send them to me if you need to get rid of them. And it will go to help fight global warming… eventually. We get paid £2.00 per KG of stamps. Just trim them with approx. 5mm border and e-mail me at cecbpenweddig@hotmail.com for an address.

    • stephen says:

      hi, if you have got a large amount of stamps i will pay you £3 per kilo and pay for collection.
      regards
      Steve.

      • sue says:

        Hi Steve,
        I have 2-3 carrier bags full of used stamps, I was collecting for a charity but they let me down by not picking them up, so, I have decided that in this present economic climate charity begins at home, if you are interested in purchasing these stamps please let me know. Thanking you in anticipation.

      • Sue Shefford says:

        We (brownies & guides) are starting to collect used postage stamps

        How do we get them to you and convert them to cash for our charity ?
        Is it just used postage stamps you ‘pay cash for’ ?

        Thanks

        Sue Shefford

      • Irena Sobolewska says:

        Are you still collecting stamps for cash? My brownies and cubs are just starting a “postman” badge and I want them to collect stamps for a charity.

      • Greer Litster says:

        Hi Steve,

        Are you still collecting old stamps? We ( Rainbows, Brownies and guides of west lanarkshire ) are looking to collect and sell some stamps ? We are trying to raise some money to help keep Lady Olave Baden Powells badges in the UK rather than them being sold off to someone internationally.

        Can you help ? are you still offering to buy stamps ?
        Thanks
        Greer

  5. hi cadan i found the website! hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee ps i no wer u live!

  6. hey, i saw this thing on the news that theyv’e made paper from recycled sheep crap! seriously!.

  7. Hannah Phillips says:

    Once I have put aside the ones I want for my album, I then use the decorative ones to make recycled cards, then give the remainder to Oxfam. Where I bought them originally to be resold.

  8. drew says:

    a great way to reuse stamps is to cover them with tape when you put them on the envelope to be mailed, then the postmark is on the tape and the person you mailed the letter to can just retape the old stamp on the next letter they write!

  9. @ drew – the post office will not be at all pleased if you do that.

  10. fishcake_random says:

    cutting out bits of pretty stamps and useing them as nail decorations

  11. Terri says:

    The Royal National Institute of the Blind would love your stamps at RNIB Recycling, PO Box 185, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 9BH at anytime. Visit http://www.rnib.org.uk for more details

    • Anonymous says:

      i do this for RNIB and they ask if you can please put your GB and overseas stamps in separate envelopes and clearly mark your overseas ones.

      • louisa says:

        Karen Ketley from the RNLI has contacted us to say they no longer run their stamp collecting scheme.

        -louisa
        Recycle This

  12. Bluebell says:

    We raise funds for rescued and abused cats. The organisation that I was sending used postage stamps to has now stopped turning the stamps into cash, and I’m now looking for an alternative. I have searched the web and can find plenty or organisations who want the stamps to raise funds, but no-one who is advertising ‘cash for stamps’. Can anyone help please.
    Thanks.

    • kevin says:

      hi, i am looking to buy stamps. i am looking for regular lots. i am disabled and just starting out with this venture.
      if you do want to sell stamps please let me know and we can arrange prices ect.
      thanks
      kevin

      • Carol Sain says:

        Hi,
        I am with the American Legion Auxiliary in Cooper City Florida, we try all ways to raise money to help support our Vetererans and Children. We can collect stamps if you would like us to. What price to you want to pay? We can help each other…..
        Thank you, looking forward to hearing from you.
        Carol

      • Anonymous says:

        Do you still want stamps?

      • Mrs Jean Dyson says:

        I have just over 38 kilos of trimmed stamps collected for our charity.They will need to be collected and last year we were paid £7 per kilo so would expect a similar price. Our telephone number is 01723 516954 They are mixed G.B. and foreign

      • Greer Litster says:

        Hi Kevin,

        are you looking to but old stamps ? if so can i be nosy and ask what you do with the im from a guide unit in scotland and we are looking to raise some funds.

        thanks for your help
        Greer

    • stephen says:

      I can help by purchasing your stamps and i pay for collection via courier, if i can help please contact me further.
      kind regards
      Stephen
      steve_1r@yahoo.co.uk

    • KEVIN LEACH says:

      hi, im looking for stamps for cash, i can pay £4.00 per kilo if unsorted. i am disabled and make them into packs for sale, theres no real earning money in it but i enjoy doing it. if you can help out let me know
      kevin

      • cathytannahill says:

        Hi Kevin,

        I have just sorted out a bag of stamps which i have shoved in a box over the last few years…foreign and british. If you want them you are welcome to them and I want nothing for them…just i need to get rid soon as i am moving house.

        Best Wishes,

        Cathy

      • Mrs Jean Dyson says:

        Hi Kevin

        I have just over 38 kilos of used stamps (weighed by the Post Office)
        They are G.B. and foreign and have all been trimmed but unsorted by our volunteer trimmers, none of whom are philatelists. They are ready to be collected and we require £7 per kilo for our charity. Telephone 01723 516954

        Regards

        Jean

  13. Edna says:

    The Bransby home of rest for horses collects used stamps which helps look after horses.

    The Bransby home of rest for horses
    Bransby
    Saxilby
    Lincoln
    LNI 2PH

  14. Elouise says:

    I once got hold of hundreds of envelopes from a mail-in competition that was being run at my workplace. I pulled out all those with unstamped (i.e. unfranked) stamps, soaked them off, and reused them as and when I needed a stamp. I ended up saving quite a lot of money reusing those stamps. (Don’t tell the post office…) All the rest, I threw into paper recycling.

  15. stephen says:

    Send them to me and mark your favorite charity i will pay them direct £2.50 per kilo
    steve_1r@yahoo.co.uk

  16. Oxfam accepts all British and foreign used stamps. Donations can be handed in at any Oxfam shop in England, Scotland or Wales and will be forwarded to one of our shops with a specialist stamp department.

  17. Nicky Smyth says:

    Not sure if you still have stamps to recycle, but I am manage a scheme for the Meningitis Trust and collect stamps, coins, phones and cartridges so if you would like more details, please contact me at nickys@meningitis-trust.org
    Thanks

  18. stephen says:

    I buy used stamps in bulk at £2.50 per kilo.contact steve_1r@yahoo.co.uk

    • Doreen Kitchener says:

      Hi Stephen
      I am an RSPCA Trustee of a very small branch and we collected stamps and a guy called from Rhayader on a regular basis and we received £3 per bag. would you be willing to take these off us or do you know of anyone more local to Herefordshire. I would be glad to hear from you as I am arranging a street collection and want to encourage the public to help us which doesnt cost them anything – how can they refuse – so would like to continue with stamps.

  19. Carrie says:

    There are a number of charities that can get cash for old stamps: –

    Oldies Clus – which helps older dogs find new homes (Oldies Club Stamps, c/o 14 Colwyn Terrace, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 6RB)

    PDSA – helps pets in need of vets (PDSA Stamp Appeal, P.O. Box 9191, Wishaw, Lanarkshire, ML2 0YB)

    Help the Aged (Stamp Appeal, Help the Aged, 36A Bunkers Hill, Romiley, Stockport, SK6 3DS)

    RNIB – supporting blind and partiallu sighted people (RNIB Stamp Recycling, PO Box 185, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 9BH)

    • alok says:

      sir i have a stamp of German of near about first world war i want to sale that it worth 500million German mark in 1923 i want to sale that plz give me idea or sale with me for money or pl z contact a old stamp vendor or a man who want to purchase this we share this money

  20. pam says:

    my mother used old stamps for decoupage projects and covered a tissue box with them.

  21. killoware_collector says:

    I offer £3.50 per kiloware. If there are any charities that want to sell me unsorted stamps, I be more than happy. Please contact mumbleslad@hotmail.com

  22. Anonymous says:

    MAKE THAT £4 PLEASE, JUST PLEASE GET IN TOUTCH WITH ME AS I AM DESPERATE TO BEAT ALL THE OTHERS SELLING KILOWARE ON EBAY WHO RIP OFF THE CHARITY SHOPS BY ONLY GIVING THEM £2.50 PER KILOWARE.

  23. Ceri says:

    Anyone in Swansea want to sell me a regular supply of totally unsorted kiloware, please contact magicgames08@yahoo.co.uk

  24. Alison Howley says:

    I am no longer collectin stamps for the PDSA. All stamps should now be sent direct to

    PDSA Stamp Appeal
    P.O box 9191
    Wishaw
    Lanarkshire
    ML2 0YB

  25. There is a jeweller near me in Liverpool Emma Farnworth who works with stamps. http://www.squem.co.uk I think or try the MJMAN site (Merseyside Jewellers and Metal Artists Network).
    I personally send all mine off to a charity or use them in work or save them if they are beautiful.

  26. Stephen says:

    I purchase kiloware in bulk @ £2.50 per kilo and arrange collection from you at my cost.please contact me if you are a charity and looking for a regular buyer
    Regards
    Stephen

    • Anonymous says:

      HI STEPHEN, WE ARE A STARTUP CHARITY AND ARE INTERESTED IN SELLING STAMPS FOR CASH, ITS GREAT YOU ALSO COLLECT.
      WHERE ARE YOU BASED, WE ONLY COLLECT THE NORMAL POSTAL STAMPS NOT THE OLD FASHIONED ONES IS THAT OK?

  27. Stephen says:

    steve_1r@yahoo.co.uk for your kiloware

  28. kishor says:

    I will offer £5 per kilo for totally unsorted gb kiloware post paid,this is a top price as I want to give as much as possibel to charity
    please email if you have any for sale

    • We run a small registered charity and are considering recycling used stamps. At the moment we save them and give them to somebody else!

      How do we go about presenting stamps for recycling?

      • kevin says:

        hi i am looking at buying stamps, i will pay you £5.00 per kilo for them. if you still want to sell please email me
        cheers
        kevin

    • Adele says:

      Hi there, I have some used stamps that you may be interested in, I am scout leader and would like to donate the money to the group and get our group to get interested in saving them,
      just let me know if you are interseted.
      Thanks
      Adele

    • Kate says:

      Please email about old used stamps. i represent a charity who would like to receive an income from the stamps they recycle

    • julie says:

      Hello,

      Please advise if you are still buying used stamps from charity collectors. I have a number of stamps to help raise funds for Mid-Warwickshire Cats Protection.

      Regards,
      Julie

    • How does the system work? Can yo give me more info please?

    • Anonymous says:

      HI, WE ARE A STARTUP CHARITY AND WOULD LIKE TO GET A BUYER FOR OUR STAMPS, WE COLLECT THE NORMAL POSTAGE STAMPS NOT THE OLD FASHIONED ONES IS THAT OK?

    • Mrs Jean Dyson says:

      I have 38 kilos of trimmed unsorted used stamps collected for our charity ready for collection at your expense. They are G.B. and foreign, and were weighed by our local Post Office Sorting Office. Ready to go for the right price.

      Regards

      Jean

    • Mrs Jean Dyson says:

      For Sale for our charity. 38 Kilos of trimmed used G.B. and foreign stamps weighed by the Post Office Ready to be collected Telephone me on 01723 516954
      Regards

      Jean

  29. Jennifer says:

    Hi,
    Does anyone know of someone buying stamps in Ireland?
    Thanks
    Jennifer

  30. Sheila says:

    I’m willing to buy raw unsorted kiloware for £3.50 per kilo.
    Please contact me with details of the stamps you have for sale.Many thanks.

    • Anonymous says:

      HI, WE ARE A CHARITY FOR NEGLECTED ANIMALS AND ARE INTERESTED IN THE STAMPS FOR CASH, BUT WE COLLECT THE NORMAL STAMPS NOT THE REALLY VALUABLE ONES CAN ANY BUY THEM FROM US PREFERABLY COLLECT ASWELL IF ITS NOT TOO MUCH TROUBLE, WE ARE BASED NEAR MAIDSTONE

  31. We are a small charity for people with learning difficulties and special needs children.
    We are currently collecting used stamps so if you have any to donate you can send them to
    Keynsham Mencap Society
    44 Bath Hill
    Keynhsam
    Bristol
    BS31 1HG

    Thanks!

  32. sarah says:

    HI,TO ANY CHARITY OUT THERE I WILL PAY £7 PER KILO FOR CHARITY STAMPS, ANY AMOUNT TAKEN NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL, WE COLLECT.PLEASE EMAIL SARAH , EMAIL ADDRESS DULYSR@AOL.COM.
    MANY THANKS.

    • hi, we are a church in North Wales wondering if it’s worth us starting to collect stamps in our own right (we have been doing it for another Christian organisation for a while) so that we can use the money to help those in need. could you please tell us what to do etc. thanks,

      Heather

    • Gary Goodman says:

      Are you still buying at £7 per kilo.
      Do you accept great britain on paper,
      or foreign on paper.
      Or as they come!
      garygoodman@talktalk.net

  33. Hi all,
    We are a charity who is desperately trying raise funds. We are collecting used stamps and old mobile phones and also printer cartridges. (Please see website for more info). If you have any of these items please can you send them through to :

    Plantation Dog Rescue,
    Common Lane,
    High Catton,
    York,
    YO41 1EW

    Any help is appreciated.

  34. Alison says:

    I have started my collection of stamps again for the PDSA Please send all stamps to

    A Howley
    23 Thorndene Avenue
    Carfin
    Motherwell
    ML1 4DT

    Thank You to All donations already recieved

  35. stacey says:

    Hi I would love the oppertunity to any amounts

    (i am not a dealer) I just love sorting through it and adding to my collection and also like having spares – I then give any stamps left back to charity (so they benefit again)

    I dont want to go selling this straight on for £10 a Kilo like on Ebay!!!

    Stacey54321@hotmail.com

  36. Stephen says:

    I would like to purchase bulk quantities of stamps and already work with several leading charities, please e mail me for further details on
    steve_1r@yahoo.co.uk

  37. alex says:

    will offer £5.50 per kilo for totally unsorted gb kiloware post paid,this is a top price as I want to give as much as possibel to charity
    please email if you have any for sale

    tattyteddy2008@aol.com

  38. cheryl molloy says:

    Hi there,

    A dear friend / work colleague died of cancer a few months ago. She used to collect stamps for a cancer charity, but im not sure which one. Can anyone advise?? My email address is: cherylmolloy@hotmail.co.uk

    Thanks

  39. cheryl molloy says:

    Hi there,

    A dear friend / work colleague died of cancer a few months ago. She used to collect stamps for a cancer charity, but im not sure which one, since then we have big collection building up. Can anyone advise?? My email address is: cherylmolloy@hotmail.co.uk

    Thanks

  40. Gary Goodman says:

    I have loads of used stamps off paper from various countries.
    I am trying to exchange them for Triangular shaped cheese labels.
    Is there anyone out there interested.
    Thanks
    Gary Goodman
    Liverpool
    garygoodman@talktalk.net

  41. HelenR says:

    I collect stamps for the Many Tears animal rescue in south Wales, to sell for funds. My address is on the website or e-mail me at the googlemail address below.

    http://www.freewebs.com/manytearsrescue/howtohelpitemsforsale.htm

    helen.welsh@googlemail.com

  42. matt says:

    OK, so this is how it works…
    The dealers buy your UNSORTED stamps, then they remove the unfranked ones (a surprisingly large number!), these they soak off the paper, then sell them on (eBay) for re-use (illegal), then sell on the remainder as kiloware. They make a big profit on the illegal re-sale for re-use, they may even re-donate the franked ones to a smaller charity that they avoid buying from.
    I would recommend that you sell your stamps genuinely unsorted on eBay using an official eMail address for contact.
    There are a lot of people out there hoping to take advantage.
    Regards
    Matt

  43. Ian, says:

    I would be very interested to buy any unsorted charity collected stamps. I would offer a good price, plus pay delivery, postage etc. on any amount. Also i would welcome your unwanted stamps, collections, part collections, odds and sods, as i donate to a small animal charity, which is desperate for funds. Many thanks, please email me at ian@ianash.fslife.co.uk

  44. Do you get lots of mail? Work in an office?

    Turn your used stamps into money for Nowzad Dogs! (Rescuing stray and abandoned dogs)

    Just make sure the stamps have a small piece of the envelope around them as a border but no more than 4mm otherwise the Nowzad Dogs team have to sit there and do it! To make life easier, please wait until you have a large pile of used stamps before sending them. They can also turn all those old coins and notes into hard cash for the charity.

    Nowzad Dogs, PO Box 3495, Corsham, SN13 7AE

    I personally do not have any connection to this charity, I just send my own stamps to them (every new year after Christmas card time) as I think its a really good cause! I hope you will too.

  45. Gulia says:

    They can be used for scrap-booking. I’d even glue a tiny photo on the inside, preserving the fringe, though. Looks cute.

    If the image is not too ruined by the stamp, use it to copy the picture by drawing. Nice way to develop sense of proportion, from small to big.

    Glue them around small wooden cubes and keep on a coffee table. Nice conversation starters.

    Turn one into a necklace by attaching to some base.

  46. Put them on ebay. There will be loads of buyers on there for them.

  47. NIGEL GOWER says:

    HI, I COLLECT USED POSTAGE STAMPS FOR A NUMBER OF CHARITIES AND WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD SEND THEM TO ME AT 62,CEYLON PLACE, EASTBOURNE,BN22 8AB

    • Margaret Pitcher says:

      Dear Mr Gower,
      I saw your message and would like to send my used stamps to you. But firstly I would like to know which charities you support with your used stamps before I donate mine to you. Perhaps you would kindly let me know and thank you.

  48. sarah says:

    hey we collect used stamps just go on the web site for our address n send them in thanks. we r a dog rescue

  49. Deep shah says:

    hi sir
    i have many old stemps like “u.s,canada,u.a.e.,india, tanzania,espana,and many more i want to sela it if you want to bay contect me on +91 9725620797 or deep.shah89@yahoo.com

  50. Mo Khan says:

    Hi we are starting to collect used Uk stamps and would like to find a buyer who will buy them of us and at a good price , i be glad for your prices
    thanks in advance



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