Henry Libera tries to pack in dumped rubbish at the Noble Park Salvation Army store. 72474 Picture: Kim Cartmell By Nicole Williams
DON’T dump, donate.
That’s the message coming from Noble Park’s Salvation Army store after it was named a hot spot for charity dumping.
Donald Munro, from the National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations (NACRO), said household rubbish was often dumped outside the Noble Park store.
“It’s definitely a hot spot for dumping,” Mr Munro said.
“Particularly after long weekends or hot weekends, we get a lot of household rubbish dumped outside store. There is a fine line between donations and dumping.”
Mr Munro said he has seen how bad it can get at the Noble Park store.
“You name it, we get it,” he said.
“Rubbish being dumped includes household rubbish, car tyres, dead animals and builders’ waste. I have seen a lot of renovation waste at Noble Park like doors, plasterboard and bricks, which clearly we can’t sell,” he said.
“It is a daily task faced by staff and volunteers, and can take two to two-and-a-half-hours to clear up.”
Up to 40 per cent of donations left at charity bins cannot be resold, and it is costing the Salvation Army up to $2 million a year to dispose of the rubbish.
“Charities are no different to any other organisation in that we have to pay to dispose of anything we cannot sell, resulting in escalating costs and a reduction in the money available for the cause,” Mr Munro said.
“We’ve got to take it landfill or separate and recycle and we have got to foot the bill.”
EPA Victoria is partnering with NACRO ahead of the Melbourne Cup weekend to remind residents that it is illegal to dump rubbish and unwanted goods at local charities.
“Under the Environmental Protection Act, EPA has a range of enforcement powers from the issue of warnings to be able to fine litterers for dumping rubbish,” Mr Munro said.
Dedicated EPA officers will be patrolling known hot spots in Noble Park, Abbotsford, Camberwell and Niddrie from Saturday 29 October to Tuesday 1 November.
“We’ll have an increased presence at these locations with patrolling vehicles out and about across the four days,” Mr Munro said.
“EPA is working with NACRO to get the message – our charities need your support, but do the right thing and don’t dump rubbish or unusable goods.”
