A charity has urged people not to leave unwanted items around donation bins.
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Clothing, toys, household items and garbage were left strewn on the ground around at least three charity donation bins in the Maitland area early last week. The mess has since been cleared, but The Smith Family – one of the charities that runs the donation bins – has urged people to be more thoughtful.
Recycling operation general manager Rick Mulhall said inappropriate dumping cost the charity about $1 million a year. He said it was an “unnecessary expense” that ultimately reduced the support The Smith Family could give disadvantaged children and young people in the community.
“In the 2015/16 financial year, The Smith Family’s recycling operation generated a surplus of $1.2 million helping to ensure that 82 cents in every dollar fundraised goes directing to our community programs,” Mr Mulhall said.
“The Smith Family is very grateful for the donation of good quality new or near-new clean, wearable clothes, accessories and bedding. The more good quality products we collect, the wider our range of stock, reducing the waste sent to landfill and increasing the amount of funds we raise for our community programs.
“In relation to the overflowing bins, every effort is made to empty the clothing bins on a regular basis to reduce potential overflow of donated goods however occasionally bins do overflow and we aim to rectify these situations as soon as possible.”