Loss of charity bins causes 'nightmare' build-up

The removal of three charity collection bins has resulted in a build-up of unwanted textiles at other drop-off points, residents say.

Whittlesey, near Peterborough in Cambridgeshire, has two collection points for unwanted shoes and clothing following the loss of three Salvation Army bins in December.

Diane Green, who lives in Whittlesey, said the charity bins had become a "nightmare".

A spokesperson for Salvation Army Trading Company said it was "adjusting its clothing bank network in response to changing market trends".

Fenland District Council said it was in the process of exploring alternative companies to ask if they would like to install clothes and textile recycling banks in the town.

The Fire Fighters Charity, which has a clothes bank located at Whittlesey fire station, said it had asked people not to leave bags next to the bins.

A spokesperson said the charity was aware that some clothing collections had stopped in the area, and added: "We're increasing our collections to keep up and reduce the chance of banks becoming full."

Green says she believes bags dumped beside the bins should be classed as fly-tipping.

"The clothing is useless if it gets wet, it is a complete waste," she said.

"Some of the charity shops in town sometimes put a sign out to say they can't take donations at the moment, so people think, right, where can I dump it."

Chris Wright, East Anglia's Children's Hospices retail area manager, said: "We're always very appreciative but can, on occasions, be overwhelmed if large, excessive volumes are received at any one time.

"However, this is extremely rare and only for a short period of time, enabling the team to catch up when we have a backlog."

Karen McFarling, who lives near the fire station, says the charity bins have started to fill up "every three or four days".

"It looks quite a mess down the street," she said.

A spokesperson for the council said that residents should be "encouraged to use either charity shops or the Whittlesey Household Recycling Centre".

Michael Weston, who also lives in the town, says the collection bins had become "uncontrollable".

He added that he thought people often put large bags into the bins which clog up the chute, giving the impression they were full.

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