Charity shops across Geelong have been left to deal with a costly and frustrating mess following the Christmas and New Year period, as they were swamped by a deluge of illegally dumped rubbish.
Mountains of Rubbish Replace Donations
Instead of receiving generous donations of quality, saleable items, stores operated by major charities like the Salvation Army and Vinnies were targeted with piles of broken furniture, soiled mattresses, and general household waste. This illegal dumping occurred at their donation bins and shopfronts while the stores were closed for the public holidays.
The Salvation Army store on Shannon Avenue in Geelong West was one of the hardest hit. Manager Darren Taylor described returning after the break to find the site completely overwhelmed. "We came back to an absolute mess," Mr Taylor said. The dumped items were not just unsellable; they were often broken, dirty, and posed a health and safety risk.
A Costly Burden for Charitable Organisations
This wave of illegal dumping has placed a significant financial strain on charities that rely on the proceeds from their shops to fund vital community programs. The cost of disposing of this rubbish runs into the thousands of dollars, money that is directly diverted from their charitable work.
Darren Taylor estimated the cleanup cost for his single store at around $1000, a substantial sum for a not-for-profit. This expense covers skip bins, extra staff labour, and waste removal fees. For charities operating multiple stores across the region, the total financial impact is far greater.
Beyond the money, the dumping creates a major operational headache. Volunteers and staff must spend hours sorting through and clearing the waste instead of processing genuine donations and running the store. It also creates an eyesore for the local community and can attract further dumping and vandalism.
Community Urged to Donate Responsibly
Charity leaders are making a heartfelt plea to the Geelong community to think before they dump. They emphasise that donation bins are for clean, working, and saleable items only, not a free alternative to a trip to the tip.
"If you wouldn't give it to a mate, don't give it to us," is the simple rule promoted by Darren Taylor. Items that are broken, stained, or missing parts cannot be sold and become a liability. The message is clear: responsible donating ensures charities can continue their essential services.
For items that are not suitable for charity, residents are directed to use the City of Greater Geelong's hard waste collection service or the local landfill facilities. A small fee for proper disposal supports the entire community, whereas illegal dumping punishes those who are trying to help the most vulnerable.
The incident highlights an ongoing issue for charitable recyclers, particularly after holiday periods when people are cleaning out their homes. Charities are now reviewing security measures, including potential CCTV installation, to deter future dumping and protect their valuable community resources.
