The McGowan Government has reimbursed more than $300,000 in Waste Disposal Levy fees this year through the Waste Authority to charitable recycling organisations who were forced to dispose of waste from illegal dumping and unusable donations. Six charitable recyclers – Alinea, Anglicare WA, Good Sammy Enterprises, RSPCA, St Vincent de Paul Society WA and the Salvation Army – shared in $300,357 of rebates to pay for the disposal of goods illegally dumped at their donation bins or shopfronts, as well as well-intentioned but unusable donations that cannot be recycled or reused.
“Most people are well-intentioned when it comes to giving their old clothes to charity but, unfortunately, charitable recyclers continue to be burdened by large amounts of dumped or unwanted donations.” Western Australian Environment Minister Stephen Dawson commented “I urge Western Australians to please do the right thing, especially during these uncertain times, to help our charities who assist the most vulnerable people in our community.”

Minister Dawson explained that the rebates help these charities meet the costs of disposing of 4,294 tonnes of unwanted or unusable goods to landfill. The Minister went on to add that grants have been provided to reduce illegal dumping at charitable recycling collection sites, for measures such as high security donation bins and security cameras at charity shopfronts. To reduce unusable donations, remember these key messages:

• if the item is not good enough to give to a friend, please do not give it to charity;
• do not leave any donations outside closed shops as they will become litter, which creates a huge cost to charities to clean up;
• donate in-store at shops that are open or inside a donation bin only. Please check ahead to find out if your favourite charity shop is open; and
• sort your items for quality, as these are the items charities can use to support those in need.

The Minister said that householders are being asked to visit charity websites to find out what goods and materials can be accepted, and how to go about donating. This is especially important during the COVID-19 period, as many charity shops are closed and cannot accept donations. In these circumstances people are being asked to keep their unwanted goods until charity organisations reopen.
“If your items are not good enough to give to a friend please do not give them to charity and do not dump your goods outside stores which create a huge cost to charities to clean up.” Minister Dawson commented “Dumping donations outside charity stores completely negates any environmental benefit you may have achieved with a successful donation as dumped goods will ultimately end up in landfill.”

For more information about the rebate initiative visit the Waste Authority’s website. To report illegal dumping, contact the Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782.