The lead-up to Christmas-New Year is unfortunately a common time for the dumping of unwanted household goods, many of them around charity donation bins in public places. As well as being an eyesore and health hazard, these mostly unusable goods cost our charities hard earned funds to dispose of at landfill.
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This year Vinnies has decided to remove the donation bins in Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Wauchope, and Laurieton that are not adjacent to its shops.
“We are now asking anyone wishing to donate clothing or smaller household items to bring them to one of the local Vinnies shops during opening hours, or to use the donation bins outside these shops,” said North Coast Retail Operations Manager, Kim Boyd.
“We are always grateful for the donations we receive throughout the year, as these are the source of our funding for helping families doing it tough and supporting programs that benefit kids in need. These include school breakfast programs and the equine therapy programs for young people who have experienced trauma or serious neglect.
“However the dumping of unwanted goods has become a serious problem, with things like broken electrical items, damaged furniture and dirty castoffs being left near or even in our donation bins.”
Vinnies is asking anyone wishing to pass on unwanted clothing, kitchen and dining items and bric a brac to consider whether the goods are in suitable condition for re-sale, and if so to drop them into a Vinnies thrift shop during working hours.
“This ensures that they can be properly handled and presented for sale,” Ms Boyd said. “It also lessens the demands on our wonderful volunteer staff, who include the van drivers. They are quite upset when they find dirty mattresses or large furniture items that are unfit for sale or not the kinds of goods we stock.”
Ms Boyd said Vinnies is a ‘win-win’ for local people passing on unwanted goods or those shopping for quality clothing and other items at low prices.
“In addition you are part of a major recycling initiative that massively reduces the amount of reusable goods going to landfill. So please do the right thing at this time of year and bag up your unwanted goods – no electricals or furniture, please – and take them to your nearest Vinnies shop or collection bin,” she said.
“Clean items in good condition are well and truly saleable, and the end result is to put smiles on the faces of those who benefit from our support through food vouchers, help for their kids and other necessities.”
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