Where to Donate Old Trophies

gold, silver and bronze trophies — Old trophies can have a new home. Arek Socha/Pixabay

We all like to win. Who doesn't? Winners often get trophies that they can hold aloft like a baby Lion King. But what happens when the thrill of victory dissipates? What happens when the trophy for "most pies eaten near a waterfall" no longer seems relevant to the person you are today?

Some people turn trophies into craft projects, whether it's a coat rack, kitchen utensil holder or cupcake stand. But what if you're not a crafty person but you don't want to throw those old trophies into the trash either? Here are some places to donate them.

Contents

AwardsMall.com
Lamb Awards
Thrift Stores and Nonprofits

1. AwardsMall.com

This trophy and award company accepts donations of old trophies and awards and recycles them to deserving nonprofits for free. There is a fee to have your trophies recycled. Send your trophies to:

Nationwide Trophy Recycling Program

C/O Total Awards & Promotions, Inc.

6686 Odana Rd. Madison, WI 53719.

2. Lamb Awards

Lamb Awards makes trophies but they also recycle them to charities in need or break down the trophies for parts. Before you send your trophies in, drop them an email at internet@lambawards.com and put "recycling" in the subject line.

3. Thrift Stores and Nonprofits

Well-known charities like the Salvation Army and Goodwill may take your gently used trophies, but call your local branch first because not all of them have the same rules. Some nonprofits or schools also may be interested old trophies to reuse for their own activities (for instance at a sports day for kids.)

Donate Trophies FAQ

Does anyone buy old trophies?

You may be able to sell old trophies at pawn shops, but don't expect to get an awful lot for them. It is also possible to give them to schools or clubs who can change the name tags and reuse them.

Are old trophies worth anything?

If the trophies are considered collectibles or antiques or are made of real gold or silver, they will be very valuable. Otherwise, trophies that are made of plain metal are not worth much.

Does The Salvation Army accept old trophies?

The Salvation Army, along with other non-profit thrift stores, may accept old trophies as donations but you don’t get any money for them.

Does anyone recycle old trophies?

You can send old trophies to a recycling plant where it will be either melted or broken down before being used for manufacturing.