Dumped rubbish causing problems for local charity shop

Most days, Louise Huisken and Jan Murray arrive to find a large pile of items outside the Ngaruawahia Church Op Shop. Some of it is items they can sell, but a lot of it is rubbish.

“We are very grateful for all the good stuff we get,” says Louise, “but we’ve had everything from broken furniture, clothes with blood stains and dirty nappies left outside the store. People even leave their bags of household rubbish outside the shop. People can be very kind, and we are extremely thankful for their donations, but please don’t drop your rubbish off for us to get rid of.”

Jan is urging people to be considerate. “People don’t think of us at the other end. It happens most days and it’s really frustrating. It’s not fair on the people who have to clear it up. For the big items, we have to organise a trailer for it to be removed and we have to pay to get rid of the items we can’t sell. We are very grateful to Council staff, who help to pick up the rubbish bags left on the footpath outside our shop on a regular basis.”

The issue is not only costly for charities, it could also be a costly mistake for those responsible as well, says Waikato District Council Community Safety Manager Sarah Bourke.

“Leaving household rubbish outside op shops is actually illegal dumping.”

And, while people may think they are doing the right thing with their unwanted items, dumping unusable items outside charity shops takes away money from those who need it most, she says.

"It means charities have less to put back into the community and to continue their good work. It’s unfair on charity shop staff and it’s a health and safety risk for them.”

This is not just an issue outside charity shops or an issue in Ngaruawahia. Every year, Waikato District Council receives more than 740 requests to pick up illegal dumping from across the Waikato district – that’s more than two every day. There’s a $400 fine given to anyone caught dumping rubbish illegally.