Donation dumping costs Blackwood Goodwill op shop $8000 each year
VOLUNTEERS at an op shop in suburban Adelaide are pleading with people to consider what — and when — they drop items off, as it’s costing the charity thousands to get rid of unusable items.
BLACKWOOD Goodwill staff are pleading for an end to items being dumped at the shop after hours, to avoid the charity wasting more than $8000 a year to dispose of unusable goods.
Store manager Stephanie Pascale said frustrated staff often arrived at the Main Rd shop to find damaged clothes and furniture strewn across the shopfront.
“When we turn up and we see there are donations that have been dumped and are completely unsaleable, we’re disappointed,” Ms Pascale said.
“We work really hard in order for the proceeds to go towards Lifeline.”
Ms Pascale said there was a sign at the front of the shop warning against after-hours donations, but it was largely ignored.
Goodwill operations manager Anya Stawicki said it cost the charity about $8000 a year to clean up damaged clothes left in the rain, unusable furniture and other broken items.
She said often it was obvious the goods had been rummaged through.
“I’m very frustrated,” Ms Stawicki said.
“We’re giving up our time for free to help such a great cause ... and seeing in the morning the best stuff is stolen, it’s heartbreaking.”
Lizzie Anderson, of Blackwood, was so disgusted at the goods dumped at the shop when she drove past on Monday, May 1, that she posted a photo to the Blackwood Community Buzz Facebook page.
“We have such an amazing community how could this happen?” Ms Anderson wrote.
“I have lived in this amazing community for four and a half years and I feel as though people are here to help and support each other.”
She had 96 replies to her post from people offering their support to the Goodwill store.
Hermina Bolton, a Save the Children manager, said theft of goods and after-hours dumping was a problem across the charity’s op shops, including at Blackwood.
“It doesn’t matter how many signs you put up, they still do it,” Ms Bolton said.
“What tends to happen is unfortunately there are people out there who go through the things that are left out.
“You can always tell when people go through the donations, they go through the best items and trash the rest.”
A council spokeswoman said illegal dumping at charity shops was an offence and could attract an on the spot fines of up to $1000.
Anyone who witnesses illegal dumping is encouraged to contact Mitcham Council on 8372 8888.