New Queensland pilot program to tackle illegal dumping at charity bins

The State Government has taken the first step to tackle one of the biggest challenges concerning Queensland charities – illegal dumping at charity stores and donation bins.

Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles today (May 1) released the “Does your donation count or cost? Understanding donations and dumping behaviours and their impacts for Queensland Charities’ report, produced by UnitingCare Community in partnership with Queensland member charities of the National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations Inc (NACRO).

The report, funded by a $50,000 Queensland Government grant, found “conservatively” 8,200 tonnes of rubbish had been dumped at Queensland charities in the 2014/15 financial year.

It identified rubbish including soiled mattresses, broken furniture and window blinds, green waste and household waste being dumped across several Queensland sites including Deception Bay, Kenmore, Kallangur, Browns Plains in Brisbane, and Edmonton in Cairns.

“Charities deliver vital services to our community. They don’t need to waste time and money cleaning up rubbish dumped at their doorstep uncaringly,’ Dr Miles said.

“This is unacceptable and irresponsible – a habit that we must break.

“We want to change people’s behaviour, and remain committed to a range of actions to promote behavioural change and improve attitudes around the disposal of waste.

“Most people do not dump intentionally. The motivation to get rid of things in a way that is easy and convenient is a key driver of unintentional dumping, but if educated about the consequences of this behaviour, most people would be dismayed to learn that their donations created a cost for charities,’ he said.

NACRO chief executive officer Kerryn Caulfield said the charitable recycling industry was the oldest and most effective recycling industry in Australia.

“Our members, their staff and volunteers, commit countless hours every day at sites across Queensland, wasting precious time and charitable funds acting as waste disposal agents,” Ms Caulfield said.

“The proceeds from charitable donations and their subsequent recycling or reuse, finance and furnish community programs.

“NACRO members look forward to getting back to their core purposes which are to serve those in need and the provision of community services and activities within disadvantaged communities.”

Six charity organisations in Brisbane and Cairns (Endeavour Foundation, Lifeline, Salvation Army, Vinnies, Link Vision and Anhua), EHP, Brisbane City Council and national and state NACRO representatives were involved in the report.

St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland general manager (Operations) Cassandra Ashton said struggling Queenslanders were missing out because some items being illegally dumped were spoiled or stolen before reaching their warehouses.

“We can use all the CCTV cameras, large signs and prosecution deterrents possible – however public education and awareness is the key to solving the problem long term,’ Mrs Ashton said.

“We ask that if bins are full, people bring their valued donations to their nearest Vinnies store, or call us for large item pickup, and make a real difference to the lives of thousands in their community’.

Link Vision chief executive officer Terry O’Neill has experienced the impact of illegal dumping on his charity.

“Illegal dumping means that funds which would otherwise support our mission are used instead to clean up, collect and dispose of waste,” Mr O’Neill said.

“Charities also receive negative comments from the public about the state of our sites, which can create some image issues for charities.

“The report has helped us identify motivations behind illegal dumping,’ he said.

UnitingCare Community Executive Director Bob Gilkes said: “Each year, our Lifeline shops rely on the donation of saleable goods, whereby proceeds from sales go towards life-saving services such as the 13 11 14 Lifeline crisis line.

“We are highly reliant on the goodwill of our community to donate good quality items for resale. Dumping outside of donation bins costs Lifeline both in time and money – a financial and human expense that would be best invested into life-saving services we provide to the community.

“This is why we ask the public to donate responsibly to ensure their donation has maximum benefit,” Mr Gilkes said.

Disability Services and Support Organisation Anuha Services general manager Robert Evelyn said recycling was good for the environment and the community.

“We look forward to a major shift in thinking about recycling, waste and donation habits to optimise the social and environmental benefits for the community,’ he said.

Member for Bulimba Di Farmer said the report’s findings would help guide and inform a community based, social marketing campaign to inform the community to ensure correct donations of usable items for the charitable recycling industry.

"This is a great example of a public-private partnership working to change the way Queenslanders look at litter and illegal dumping through community based social marketing, and I commend Queensland member charities of NACRO for engaging with government on this pilot project,” Ms Farmer said.

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