Why You Shouldn't Dump Clothes Near Overflowing Charity Bins

With the rise of #newyearnewme and Marie Kondo's inspirational cleaning show on Netflix, Australians are having huge clear-outs of their wardrobes.

However, while well-meaning in attempting to donate these unneeded clothes, charities are urging donors to do their research and donate responsibly.

This comes after large numbers of bags of goods have been dumped nearby overflowing bins - rendering the items unusable for charities and resulting in them having to find a way to dispose of the overflow.

Charities are having to fork out a combined total of roughly $13 million each year in order to send unusable clothing to landfill, with the goods not able to be accepted both due to storage restrictions and largely due to damage sustained while the clothes are left out in the weather.

If the donation bin is overflowing, don't leave the clothes in bags around the donation site as they will end up thrown away.

Instead, it might be a better idea to visit the donation centres (rather than just the bins on the side of the road) to speak with someone about whether they can take the goods.

Catch up on today's headlines, and download the app here: iOS | Android