Charity bins are not dumps

Charities have been given an early Christmas present of $100,000 in a bid to help them educate the community to stop using charity donation bins as illegal dump sites.

  • $100,000 charity bin community education campaign launched

  • People urged to stop illegally dumping items outside charities 

Charities have been given an early Christmas present of $100,000 in a bid to help them educate the community to stop using charity donation bins as illegal dump sites.

Presenting the money to Charitable Bins Associated today, Environment Minister Bill Marmion urged the public to do the right thing during the busy Christmas period and refrain from dumping donations outside charity shops or next to collection bins.

Mr Marmion said charity bins were an important resource for the community, but donations dumped outside the bins were a costly burden for charities and local governments.

"Charity bins are invaluable because they keep material out of landfill, promote the re-use of resources and support the work of charities," he said.

"Sadly, these bins also serve as dumping sites by those unwilling to dispose of materials in the proper manner, whether it is through a genuine lack of understanding about what is acceptable, or because people are deliberately dumping items to avoid tip fees.

"Often people leave worthy products beside bins but they can deteriorate in the weather or get vandalised, leaving them useless and the cost of disposal falls to others.  The money spent on cleaning up is diverted from helping the most vulnerable in our community."

The Minister said the $100,000 grant, funded through the Waste Authority's Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account, would go towards a community education campaign.

"It is aimed at informing people about how their donations can help rather than hinder charities, if done in the right way," he said.

      Fact File

  • Common items found dumped beside charity bins include sofas, mattresses and TVs

  • More unusual items include dog kennels, garden waste and car parts

  • Disposing of items outside shops or beside bins is littering

  • Attracts fines of up to $5,000 for individuals or $10,000 for corporations 

Minister's office - 6552 6800