Goods jettisoned outside Hampton Salvation Army to go to waste

Despite signs clearly stating this Hampton op-shop is shut due to the coronavirus crisis, lazy donors are still dumping their unwanted goods at the door. And the charity will most likely foot the bill for getting rid of it.

Abandoned goods on the street outside The Salvation Army store on Hampton St, Hampton.

If you’re thinking about leaving that jumper you don’t wear anymore out the front of a Salvation Army outlet to help those in need, think again.

Research shows about 50 per cent of people think they’re helping when they jettison their unwanted goods outside a charity.

But figures show it’s actually costing charities around the country $18 million a year ($3.5 million in Victoria) to remove dumped items.

It comes after a large pile of unwanted goods were left outside the Hampton Salvation Army shop — one of 514 outlets to close Australia-wide — despite a sign warning the area was under video surveillance.

Dumpers ignored warning signs at The Salvation Army store on Hampton St.

The closed Salvation Army store in Hampton had items dumped outside, creating a CODVID-19 hazard as well as troubling walkers.

National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations chief executive Omer Soker told the Leader those possessions you no longer need but think could go towards helping someone else can’t be used by charities if they’re illegally dumped.

“Those items actually have to be sent to landfill and there is a cost to the charity associated with that,” he said.

“So you’re actually hurting the charity.

“Every illegal dumping is one meal for someone going hungry, or one counselling session for someone suffering mentally that can’t come to fruition.”

Vinnies is still operating but has strict measures in place to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

But Mr Soker said even if your go-to charity has closed its doors for the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still ways you can help.

“Please find a charity shop that is still safely managing to stay open, or a donation bin in your neighbourhood,” he said.

“If you can’t leave your home and must stay inside, please save up your quality donations for

later.

“If you can still donate, please put your donations inside a donation bin, sort your items for

quality and don’t donate anything you wouldn’t otherwise give to a friend.”

Op-shops and charity shops in Victoria make about $132m in revenue per year.

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But with coronavirus tearing the state’s – and country’s – economy to shreds, donations have become crucial, Mr Soker said.

“The money is used to help people in need, including those most at risk of COVID-19 including the elderly, the sick and economically disadvantaged,” he said.

“But revenue has dried up with many charity shops forced to close to protect staff, volunteers and the community.”

To find somewhere to donate, visit the NACRO website

@mottersjames