On Monday morning, people using the car park noticed piles of clothing, plastic containers, sporting trophies and trolleys dumped on top of and around the donation bin for the charity. 

The Smith Family’s recycling operations general manager Rick Mulhall said situations like this impact on the charity’s ability to assist people in need. 

“Dumping of inappropriate or damaged items at our clothing bins creates approximately $1 million per year in unnecessary expense for The Smith Family,” he said 

“This activity ultimately reduces the educational support The Smith Family can provide to disadvantaged children and young people in the community.”

When donated items aren’t being re-used, The Smith Family will sell clothing donations, the proceed from which offsets organisational costs, ensuring that more of the charities donated funds can be spent on educational programs for children in need.

In the 2016-17 financial year, eight million kilograms of material was diverted from landfill and reused or on-sold through The Smith Family’s retail, wholesale and export channels.

In terms of its donation bins, Mr Mulhall said the charity works very closely with  councils, landlords, rangers and government authorities to ensure bins are used appropriately and emptied regularly to reduce potential overflow.

“Every effort is made to empty our clothing bins on a regular basis to reduce potential overflow of donated goods,” he said.

“Occasionally bins do overflow and we aim to rectify these situations as soon as possible.”

People are reminded that the charity can’t accept damaged or stained clothing, white goods, electrical items or mattresses.

To report any issues with a Smith Family clothing bin please contact 1300 737 166.