Canberrans and residents of the wider region considering donating to local charity shops have been urged not to donate electrical goods or other things like prams or baby car seats governed by product safety laws.
Some 25 St Vincent De Paul shops across the region, including Queanbeyan and Goulburn, have been clearing out shelves in preparation for the regular post-Christmas donations rush, expected to start next week.
But area manager Paul Quinn has urged people to donate good quality clothing, manchester, children's toys and board games, furniture and homewares.
"Unfortunately due to some laws and restrictions there are some items we can't accept like baby car seats, prams and cots, mattresses and electrical items," he said.
Mr Quinn also said people should not leave bags of clothes or goods outside the donation bins, as the organisation was unable to use them if left out.
Among the many volunteers working at shops sorting out household goods and clothes this week was 15-year-old James Sankey, who got an early start on his 25-hour community service program all Year 10 students at Canberra Grammar School have to do.
He said he was volunteering mainly to fulfil the requirements of the Year 10 course, but he also wanted to get as much experience as possible in the community.
The shops across the region are still looking for more volunteers to help out, particularly in the first two weeks of 2017 as donations are expected to flood in.
"People donate with the best intention of their goods going to someone in need or raising funds for our services," he said.
"The best way to ensure that that's what happens is to drop off your donations when our shops are open so we can take them inside straight away."​