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Charity shops across Wales are facing increasing challenges due to the rise in fly-tipped and damaged donations left outside their premises. Every January, many people clear out their homes and drop off unwanted gifts from Christmas, which normally boosts donation numbers. However, poor weather conditions often mean that items left outside the shops become soaked and ruined, forcing charities to spend significantly more on disposing of unusable goods. The Welsh government has acknowledged the goodwill behind these donations but emphasized that contributions must be made responsibly, warning that fly-tipping is an illegal act.
Local authorities have underscored the legal consequences of abandoning unwanted items, with offenders facing fixed penalty notices of up to £400. Charities, meanwhile, are burdened by the financial and operational strain caused by the need to clear large volumes of refuse. Lesley Reynolds, who manages the Waste Not Want Not charity in Oakdale, Caerphilly, recounted an incident where someone dumped four black bags filled with empty DVD boxes outside the shop during opening hours. She described this behaviour as “irresponsible” and noted how the charity’s entrances were left blocked with discarded items after Christmas. Running The Magic Cottage in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Reynolds stated that fly-tipping happens regularly, with people abandoning a variety of items despite the charity’s willingness to accept donations directly.
At Hope Rescue in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, the retail manager Claire Samuel explained how leaving donations outside the shop often results in wet and useless items. She emphasized the frustration charities feel when people put effort into sorting items but then leave them exposed to harsh weather conditions. Samuel highlighted concerns over bulky donations such as car seats and pushchairs, which are unsafe to sell and end up as waste, stating, “We are so grateful for people who make the effort to bring items in to us. We want them to come in and see their items on the shop floor.” Similarly, the Enfys Foundation Reuse & Restore charity in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, has been confronting repeated issues with donations abandoned outside despite warnings posted on social media. This year, while fewer items were left outside the store, people resorted to leaving donations in nearby car parks or secluded areas instead.
Environmental groups have weighed in on the problem, with Emma Hallett from WRAP Cymru describing the dumping as a serious challenge impacting both charities and communities. She encouraged alternative approaches such as gifting, selling online, recycling, or exchanging items that might not be suitable for charity donation. The councils of Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly echoed calls for responsible giving, emphasizing that fly-tipping is illegal and pledging to take enforcement action against offenders. Meanwhile, the Welsh government continues to support Fly-tipping Action Wales, a programme aiding local authorities with enforcement, monitoring fly-tipping levels, and raising public awareness about the issue
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