Vinnies bins disgracefully left
• It’s disappointing to see items dumped on the ground next to the Vinnie charity bins on Victoria condition.
By Taylor Clyne
October 21, 2020
Volunteers arriving to work at the Vinnies Store on Victoria Street Scottsdale were horrified to find clothing, rubbish and belongings dumped on the ground next to the donation bin, a sight which is unfortunately all too common.
The incident forms as part of a challenging timeline for locals working at the charity store with more and more people disregarding the signs and leaving unusable items out in the weather for clean-up.
Northern Retail Manager Melissa Alty said the purpose of Vinnies Stores is for the donation of quality items to be sold in their shops to raise much needed funds to support assistance programs.
“Now that some restrictions have lifted Vinnies valued volunteers are keen to sort through donations as quickly and cleanly as possible.
“Unfortunately, too often, volunteers are turning up to find people have dumped rubbish and broken goods at donation points which cannot be recycled or sold to assist vulnerable people and families in need,” she said.
“Dumping or disposing of items considered waste can contaminate quality donations, put those who sort through the items at risk and increase landfill.
“Furthermore, there are considerable costs to the charity who have to pay to collect and dispose of it.”
Ms Alty mirrored the lines of Vinnies CEO Lara Alexander stating, "every single dollar that is used for paying to dispose at the tip, of the unwanted goods that somebody has dumped on us, is a dollar that does not go to servicing the community in need."
Instead if the bins are full locals are encouraged to drop items instore during the opening hours and only donate items that are clean and in an unsoiled condition.
Otherwise people may notice metal charity bins disappearing from the streetscapes.
“This is because charities such as Vinnies have found they can reduce the risk of contamination by encouraging those to donate within the shop.
“There’s less chance of quality items being damaged by weather, food scraps, broken items and so on,” Ms Alty said.
Those with large quality items such as furniture are encouraged to contact the Vinnies Warehouse who may be able to organise collection, 6333 0210.