Recycle old binoculars to help conservation projects

There are so many ways you can help us in the fight to give nature a future. If fundraising and volunteering aren’t your thing, why not play our lottery, visit our online shop or check out our second-hand binocular scheme? 

Have you got an old or unwanted pair of binoculars, a telescope, a spotting scope or a tripod that still work but are collecting dust in the cupboard? If so, we’d love to take them off your hands and put them to good use.

Since 1985, the RSPB's second-hand binocular scheme has provided more than 12,000 items to conservation and education projects in more than 90 countries. Binoculars and telescopes have found their way to some of the world’s most remote communities, often delivered by RSPB staff and supporters.  

We’ve kitted out Angola’s first-ever bird hide, helped Tanzanian school children see wild animals up-close at a national park, and given Brazilian rainforest reserve rangers the equipment they need to protect wildlife from poachers. 

When we receive donated binoculars, telescopes, spotting scopes and tripods, RSPB staff and volunteers check the condition of the items. We keep the usable ones in storage until they’re needed. 

We get lots of requests for equipment from BirdLife International Partners and other organisations that have heard about our scheme. We do everything we can to fulfil each request. To keep costs as low as possible, we often rely on an RSPB staff member or supporter visiting the country where the request has come from to deliver the items. We also keep a record of where we send the equipment and ask that the organisation/project agrees not to sell items for profit. 

Whether you’re after a bird feeder for your garden friends or are looking to make some sustainable kitchen swaps, there’s something for everyone in the RSPB online shop. Your shopping supports our work – a portion of each sale goes towards funding our fight to save nature. All products are tested for their effectiveness and quality and are chosen with the environment in mind.  

We’ve got everything you need to do your bit for local wildlife, from bird tables to bat boxes and everything in between. If you want to brush up on your birdwatching skills, we have identification charts and binoculars. Or if you’d like to make your home extra eco-friendly, we have beeswax kitchen wraps and.reusable cotton pads. 

Looking to take your trip outdoors to the next level? Why not check out our selection of camping chairs, water bottles and rucksacks? Searching for the perfect present? Buying something from the RSPB shop means you’ll be giving us a gift as well as the lucky recipient. We have candles, jigsaw puzzles and cosy blankets.