You should not donate broken things. If you don't find it useful, it is unlikely that any potential future owner would find it useful.
You aren't doing anyone a kindness by giving away useless things. The thrift store will be burdened with throwing it away, or having it occupy shelf space as it goes unsold.
The tool is no longer useful because it lacks measurement marks. If you can recycle it, do so, otherwise throw it away.

I'm going through this now. We're getting ready to move, and I'm trying to purge. Avocado slicer? A nice idea, but I've already used a knife to slice open the skin, so I might as well us that same knife to make slices. Tongs for the grill we don't have anymore? Three 1/3-cup measuring cups? (I saved two!) I just keeping telling myself, "Is it worth putting in a box and moving down this flight of stairs?"

We're lucky to have inherited family kitchen tools. An old juicer is one of my favorites. They don't make stuff like they used to. We invested in a few new things like the electric kettle, but we don't plan to get rid of anything as these tools inspire us to try new recipes. If anything we'd do a swap, but I wouldn't want to give away or buy used food items anyway.

Awww...what a sad little measuring cup! I imagine someone could scrub off the remaining marks and still use it as a nice little jug to hold flowers or water houseplants.

I agree that the thrift store won't appreciate this. You could use it to hold flowers instead, or just put it in the recycling.

another vote to recycle it. if you can't use it, no one else can! and recycled glass is so cool!

@physical, sure - there are some things I wouldn't ever donate, like the split cutting board I got rid of recently, or a really badly cracked plate. But in this case I think a glass measuring cup could be used in any number of ways beyond just measuring -- as a pitcher for house plants, etc. I often scavenge the thrift store for items to be used beyond their original purpose.

Couldn't you just re-draw on the lines? I know people are baking sharpie onto cups and whatnot, but there are also pens/inks made for glass that you could just re-draw on the lines and measurements on the outside. Also, I don't think you can recycle pyrex. http://earth911.com/news/2010/10/11/how-to-recycle-your-old-cookware/

I would probably just keep a container like that and use it for storing leftover liquids in the fridge 'til I had a use for them -- thinks I wouldn't necessarily measure anyway, like the leftover juice from a can of tomatoes, or the end of a bottle of wine. Probably make up a cover for it.

I ask my husband if he can use it in the garage for anything he does. A measuring cup with a spout is handy for outside work like pouring oil into a can to recycle the oil, etc. I also would scrub off the marks to make a good looking container.

I've been to a restaurant that serves fabulous milkshakes in Pyrex measuring cups.

I agree with the other posters about donating it in its current state. Don't make it someone else's problem just because it isn't working for you anymore.

IMHO, if you must get it out of your house and the existing markings are hard to remove: Remove the existing markings, then put some useful markings on it, maybe with marker and tape. The next owner can then decide how to use it.

I think it would make a lovely plant/bud holder!

Thank you, physical.

Why on earth would anyone donate something that is useless? That item is glass. Recycle it.

I'm for re purposing it by remarking it with a paint marker made for glass. Perhaps you can use it for oddball measurements. Like 1/2 of 1/3 cup or 1/2 of 5/3 cup, etc.

Instead of debating whether or not Faith should donate or recycle her measuring cup, I'll actually answer the question that was asked.

I would say whenever it becomes difficult to use for its intended purpose, like your measuring cup. I have a set (well they're SO's) of plastic measuring cups where the markings have worn off. I've been debating getting rid of them although I still can pretty much tell which cup is which. Maybe it'll be an excuse to buy a really pretty set of ceramic ones :)

Also if my cutting board developed a large crack or warped, I would have to replace it. And, obviously if an appliance quit working (had it happen with a mini food processor) then I would need to get rid of it.

Couldn't you pick up some acid and do a permanent etching on the glass with measurement lines? Would keep it from going to the recycling or landfill. I assume once it's washed after etching it should be food safe again right?

I've somehow ended up with three different veggie peelers, though only one of them actually works well. I've only ever used one peeler at a time, so I don't really need two back ups. Probably time to get rid of the spares!

I'm pretty willing to ditch a kitchen tool that is past the point of efficacy, or if I end up with duplicates that I don't need. I prefer to give it away to someone who can use it, donate it, or recycle it, but sometimes things have to go in the trash.

I would definitely ditch that glass measuring cup too, and I would probably also donate it. Then someone here who wants to go to the effort of etching new marks on it or using it for oddball measurements can! It's win-win. ;)

The only thing I've had to think about getting rid of (in the 2 years I've lived with my fiance and all his bachelor stuff) is a plastic measuring cup that already had cracks in it.... we switched our dogs food and needed precise measurements when switching, so I just started using the measuring cup, and that's where it is to this day. Everything else is in fairly good condition, but I wouldn't hesitate to let something go (reuse, donate, recycle) if it wasn't helping me anymore!

Just because something can't be used for it's intended purpose doesn't mean it's useless. Broken is one thing, but those measuring cups are usually pyrex or some other tempered glass.
They are perfect for melting liquid, mixing and pouring.

I just started making soap, and have been looking for thrift store for something exactly like that. (I don't want to mix soap making with food prep.) Also, I need to be more accurate so I use a digital scale to get exact ounces.

If you can't use something, doesn't mean it's broken. Giving it a second life is sometimes the best thing.

Also, My food processor piece broke (and I lost the cheese attachment). But I went online and can buy the replacements from the manufacturer. Good as new. instead of tossing and buying.

Sometimes it takes a bit longer to find the place to dispose/donate/recycle stuff you don't need anymore. But if it's out of your space & not in a landfill, it's worth it.

I use my old measuring cup for melting butter in the microwave. The butter is measured before melting, and the spout makes it easy to pour into the next bowl.
If something is broken it gets tossed out or recycled.

I used to volunteer at a thrift store sorting room and we would have definitely kept something like this! True, don't donate cracked glass or broken electronics, but we definitely don't consider less-than-perfect items garbage.

My approach to used-up kitchen items is to offer them up to my friends first (with full disclosure of any idiosyncrasies, of course), then straight to the thrift store.

My favorite measuring cup started losing markings awhile back. I went to a craft store and bought a fine line paint pen and painted over the fading lines. Good as new! And I use that pen on EVERYTHING now.

Word, @Thursamaday, word.

Despite having no measurement markings left, it's still a perfectly good little pitcher! Pyrex glass is too good to recycle. Leave that for beer and wine bottles.

rocks in the bottom, a bit of activated charcoal, and then potting soil and plant an herb you always wanted to grow in your kitchen.

A lot of these things (like the worn measuring cup pictured) can still be used, just not as much for the original task. If a measuring cup loses its markings, then it becomes perfect for mixing non-measured things, like cornstarch and water for thickening a sauce. Then you don't have to use a coffee cup that may chip, or break under a lot of use.
Just re-purpose things, and only get rid of them if you find space at a premium, imo. Some kitchen tools are even great in the garage, garden, etc... but you'd never use a new one there. An old slightly broken/worn kitchen tool, that would make sense.
Goodwill/thrift is fine, but only if the item is still useful as originally intended, and then it shouldn't be there in the first place (as in, why'd you get rid of it?)

I literally bought a glass measuring cup like the one pictured (i.e., with no measurement markings on it) at my local thrift store. I wanted something to measure liquids in, with a spout, and I measure primarily by weight with a scale, so I wouldn't have used measurement markings anyway. I still use it regularly.

So...donate it! If the thrift store doesn't want it, they'll say so.

I don't think you can recycle pyrex-it has a coating on it.

I really need to go thru my drawers and send some stuff to the thrift store. I don't need two apple slicers

re things can be reused for different purposes you can use that cup to scoop things out of a canister scoop laundry detergent etc use it a a cream pitcher let the kids use it for water color painting rethink and reuse it aint broke till it is in pieces on the floor that's what I do a split or broken cutting board can be used to set hot pots etc on

If the cup is a Pyrex cup, it cannot be recycled.

There are some things we have that we never use, not because they're not useful... we just don't use them.

First thing that comes to mind is our various tea infusers. Why do we have three of them--we don't even drink tea? Why do the mesh wires always get bent out of shape no matter what I do?

And ceramic cheese markers. What the hell; they just float around and clutter up my utensils or migrate over to the junque drawer. Never have used them.

I am starting to lose the markings on my Pyrex measuring cup, too. One thing my MIL did was mark the common measurements on an old one of hers with Sharpie (or something, she marked it long before I met them) and use it for measuring bleach ONLY. I'm all for repurposing or recycling. Very often, I actually find items at the thrift store after turning over something I can't use. But when space is limited (as it often is) I choose carefully and complete the project at least the same weekend so it doesn't become more clutter.

in fairness people who shop at thrift stores are sometimes looking for certain things in certain condtions or for alternative uses, like a chipped plate maybe they are going to craft something out of.

BUT this is also a general posting and I'm sure we all have items that still have use in them but that we ourselves never use.

I use an old glass measuring cup to hold batteries. The glass is resistant to acid in case a battery leaks.

It would be fun to use a glass marker to write a cheeky, made-up unit of measurement on it, like, "half full" or "half empty," depending on your personal outlook, then fill it to the line with your candy of choice.

My rules of thumb:
Broken and not repairable Right Now: throw now
Got extra: donate
Why did I get this: donate.

I had to go through my kitchen stuff thanks to a new cabinet install I most of what I have were duplicates of one form or another. My out box is now full and my cabinets are looking neater.

I use a Pyrex cup like that (no marks) for heating things in the microwave. The handle says cool, and the cup is heat resistent. Works great!

Hot water for instant coffee and for tea, melting chocolate (2 minutes on 50% power, stir!), etc. I'm not interested in the measurements for these uses, and it keeps my nicer newer Pyrex from hitting the dishwasher as often, which is probably what wears the markings off in the first place.

I trash tools that are actually broken, and dontate ones I no longer use, when I decide I won't want them again.

ANYTHING that takes up this mental energy on it's existence should be dumped immediately. I recently got rid of 75% of what is in my kitchen and am much happier. Funny thing is I don't miss a single thing I got rid of. What I really miss is the time I spent over the last decade managing clutter.

I literally Just bought a Pyrex measuring cup like this at the thrift store to use while melting my pre-measured soap/lotion/lipbslm supplies!

I agree that there is absolutely nothing wrong with donating that measuring cup. Lots of people would use it as a pitcher or something.
To answer your question, my "hard line" is that malfunctioning electric gizmos go in the trash, chipped/broken glass and ceramics become target practice, and excess or unused items in good shape get saved for my next yard sale. If my yard sale storage is full, or I am impatient to declutter, I just freecycle my items.

I have an old battered and dented colander that was my grandmother's (I am sure it is over 50 years old). It does however serve its purpose and has more straining holes than any colander that has ventured into my kitchen as a potential replacement. As for duplicates -- Benjamin Franklin wrote in his biography how his one 'cup' was quite adequate for his purposes and scolded his wife for getting him a new one. I say 'lighten up' Ben.

I volunteer for a thrift store. We take pretty much everything. One persons junk is another person's treasure. Plus, we sell what can't be put out on the floor to be shredded (in case of textiles) or scrapped (for other things) for a bulk price. The charity still gets money for it either way.

Besides, I've seen broken items in the clearance aisle at HomeGoods. Someone's got to be buying that stuff or else they wouldn't keep putting it out.

That's a cute idea.

"You should not donate broken things. If you don't find it useful, it is unlikely that any potential future owner would find it useful."

Geez. People apparently have not been to the St. Vinnie's Dig & Save, where kitchenware is something like 30 cents a pound. There are many people starting out, starting over, or just struggling to get by. Not everyone has a kitchen with granite countertops and fancy appliances and special drawers just for spices and cutlery.

The only types of glass that are recyclable are jars and bottles. All other household forms, including glass flower vases, drinking glasses, glass plates, pyrex, and window glass, are chemically hardened when they're made and have substantially higher melting temperatures than bottle glass. In the recycling process these harder glasses don't melt completely and cause structural imperfections in the resulting glass that is produced.

The guidelines for your municipal recycling program undoubtedly tell you this, though they may not tell you why.

It is not useful to you because it no longer serves its purpose. Why would someone else want this item? My mother volunteers at a Salvation Army thrift store and they simply throw these sort of things in the garbage when they arrive in the store.

Way to go!

People doesn't understand that recycle stuff spend resources too! In this case, energy.

REUSE is better that RECYCLE!

I think someone shopping a thrift store would buy this, eventually. It all sells, trust me. It all sells eventually. I'm a seller and never cease being surprised at what sells!

Funny how just this morning I was thinking I need some measuring cup that had lost it's markings. This way, I can use faked stained glass paint to note on it the exact volume of milk/water I need for my favorite mugs at home. So if you don't mind sending your cup up north, I'll adopt it and give it the love a veteran like it needs!

I would be so pleased to find that cup in a thrift shop-- I would much rather have a well-built vintage borosilicate Pyrex than the new stuff that seems to have a pesky reputation for shattering and exploding all the time.

Okay I was originally not thrilled with the idea of donating it but if the lines are redrawn yeah, reuse is better than recycle. And now that I'm on Etsy I would give my left arm for some pretty glass jars that don't cost a fortune. Measuring cup would not work but decorative glass jars would.

I have no problem donating or otherwise discarding items that I have purchased myself and no longer find useful. If it was a gift though, I have serious guilt and usually end up keeping it.

Reduce = buy less
Reuse = reuse as it is, or repurpose
Recycle = what you do when you can't reuse, anymore
When combined with the old saying, 'Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.' You'll find that when you actually take the time to think about all of the ways an item can be repurposed, you won't need to work as hard at learning to buy less, and unless something breaks (even then, sometimes repurposing is still feasible), it will usually take a long tome to completely wear it out, so you won't have to recycle a often.

I'm in the donate it, if you truly can't find a use (or a new home) for it. I thrift shop all the time specifically looking for things to repurpose. That pretty plate with a few chips? Could become a mosaic trivet, garden path stone, or protect your beautiful oak table from water marks left by a plant. The old, wool sweaters on that thrift store clearance rack? They would find new life s felted totes, purses, hats, slippers... For many of us creative types, the thrift stores are or first choice for making purchases, and only for basic supplies, do wee hit the craft stores.

I won't wax political, but hyper-consumerism is, imho, unwise, at best.

If I found that measuring cup in a thrift store, I might buy it to use as is as a little vase, or spray paint it and use it as a container. Just because something has outlived its usefulness for you, doesn't mean it is garbage or can't be useful to someone else. I'm not talking about torn and worn clothing or a broken plate. This vessel is still a vessel and it can be very useful to someone else.

I'll second that! :)

My first ever measuring spoons slipped down the drain and got a little mangled when I turned on the garbage disposal. Oops! Because they were my first, and I can't bare to part with them I decided to drape them over my first cookbook, Better Homes Junior Cookbook, that I got when I was in Girl Scouts. They are in the little Vintage nook of my kitchen.