Don’t dump on charities this Holiday season

Environment Minister Robyn Parker today appealed for people to donate second-hand goods responsibly throughout this Christmas holiday season.

Ms Parker was joined by Executive Manager of the National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations Kerryn Caulfield and General Manager of Salvos Stores Neville Barrett and said that donating to support those in need was a quintessential part of the Australian spirit but that it was important that the goods were good quality and reusable.

“Every year Australians donate two billion items (over 300,000 tonnes) of quality second-hand items to charities to help Australians in need, but up to 40 per cent of donated material is actually dumped rubbish or not suitable for re-sale or reuse,” Ms Parker said.

“The NSW Government will provide $100,000 in grants for a pilot program for charities and councils to help prevent dumping at charity sites. Deterrent methods may include cameras signage and fences.

“Having to remove rubbish and take it to waste disposal centres is both time consuming and costly for charities, their volunteers and the NSW Government, and diverts resources away from the good work that charities do to help those in need.

“Charity bins are not rubbish bins – so this Christmas whether donating gifts or embarking on a holiday clean-out, please remember that giving un-useable or broken goods to a charity bin is not a donation – it is illegal dumping.”

Ms Caulfield said that Christmas was a hard time of year for many Australian families struggling with poverty and donations of good quality goods were always welcome.

“While charities have seen an increase in donations which is wonderful, there has been a corresponding very significant increase in illegal dumping of waste at charity recyclers in recent years,” Ms Caulfield said.

“It is estimated that 16 per cent of the material charity recyclers are now disposing to waste arises from illegal dumping of household rubbish, with a further 24 per cent of donations unsuitable for re-use due to soiling, damage or unsuitability for recycling as industrial rags.

“We ask people to make their donation count by delivering direct to the charity during business hours, depositing in a charity donation bin, or calling the charrity to arrange for them to collect your donations.

“If your donation is not left in a secure place, even at the doors of the op shops, pilferers ransack the donations and take all the quality saleable items, leaving the charity with damaged, soiled rubbish which is heartbreaking for the op shop staff and volunteers and diverts resources away from the charities work.”

Mr Barrett said that the Salvos needed donations of good quality furniture, clothing and other items.

“The criteria for donations are items which you would continue to use yourself, but which are superfluous to your needs,” Mr Barrett said.

“We thank our donors for their support however we ask members of the community to make donations to our stores during normal business hours. Donors can also ring 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) to have their donation picked up.”