We’ve all seen the large donation bins in our
neighborhood strip-mall parking lots. After a good spring cleaning in your
apartment, it seems easy to take your goods and clothing to a local shopping
center and drop off unwanted items.
However, most people don’t really appreciate the
challenges that these bins create for both property owners and legitimate
nonprofits. Many companies drop off bins in the middle of the night, without
the knowledge of the property owners; they add to visual pollution, and they
make a profit off your good intentions. Poorly maintained bins can create
dangerous issues if they become a target for theft.
Larger nonprofits such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters and
Goodwill seek permission from owners and managers to place bins in strategic
locations, and they are careful to maintain them and ensure regular pickups to
discourage crime and pollution. For these organizations who partner with local
thrift shops, these bins create a critical revenue source for kids’ mentoring
and other programs.
Some of these donation bins purport to benefit
nonprofits, but it’s worth an extra search to see if this is truly the case.
There are a number of operators who use the bins as a business, and they are
not directly related to nonprofits. If your goal is to support a cause you care
about, find out where that organization has bins or donation points. Some
organizations will even come to your home for larger donation pickups. Every
city regulates these bins in some ways to protect the public and property
owners.