At this time every year in Port Stephens charity clothing and recycle bins tend to become dumping grounds for people leaving items scattered about, costing charities thousands of dollars to clean up the mess.
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Items left outside of bins are treated as contaminated and unfortunately they’re unable to be used.
- - John Piper
One of the worse areas to be impacted this festive season was the House with No Steps bin on the corner of Richardson Road and Nelson Bay Road, Salt Ash.
John Piper, House with No Steps general manager of businesses, said that the charity existed to help people with a disability live a great life.
“Not only do we offer support services, we also own businesses that employ over 500 people with a disability,” he said. “We have a recycling business across NSW where we process paper, plastic, cardboard and donated clothing.
“As part of this, we have a partnership with The Smith Family, who manage the collection of donated clothing from the donation bins.
“Over the festive season, we’ve seen an overflow of clothing donations. We’re very grateful to the Port Stephens community for the donation of good quality, clean and wearable clothes.
“We also must remind people that clothing bins – and the areas around them – are not rubbish bins. Items left outside of bins are treated as contaminated and unfortunately they’re unable to be used. They’re taken to landfill at the organisation’s expense.”
Mr Piper said that clothing bins were emptied on a regular basis, however, “if it looks close to full, it’s best for people to hold on to the clothes until they are next emptied”.
