Local authorities praised by charity sector  

Despite issuing public warnings not to leave items outside their shops, charities such as The Salvation Army and the British Heart Foundation have been overwhelmed with dumped donations.

The British Heart Foundation has this week thanked local authorities for their help in clearing the dumped items from outside its shops which, as with other charities, are closed.

‘Good response’

Sustainability manager at the British Heart Foundation David Roman told letsrecycle.com: “We have had a very good response to everything we’ve reported to councils. What we’ve found is that whenever we’ve been able to get hold of somebody, we’ve found that they’ve been really helpful.

“Although its not as bad as we feared, we’ve had quite a lot of instances of things turning up, it is a daily routine now. And we’re seeing the councils being really helpful getting it cleared.”

There has been suggestions of an increase in fly-tipping across the UK, put down partly to recycling centre closures and bulky collection suspensions, which has put increased strain on local authorities waste service teams dealing with flytipping.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army said that fly-tipping is “costing the charity thousands” as it has mobilised an emergency response to clear the dumped items.

The charity said that this is taking funds away from the vulnerable and those hardest hit by coronavirus.

Trading company director at the Salvation Army, Tony Hosking said: “I know people think they are helping by donating clothes but they must understand that bags left outside shops and clothing banks is fly-tipping. We have to pay to clean it up and sites quickly become a health hazard so the clothes are destined for landfill.”

“I know people think they are helping by donating clothes but they must understand that bags left outside shops and clothing banks is fly-tipping”

Tony Hosking, Salvation Army

Messaging

The Charity Retail Association is calling on the public to hold onto their donations until charity shops reopen, a message which is also being promoted by many local authorities.