// Charity Retail Association urges public to stop leaving items outside of closed charity shops or already-full donation banks
// Donations left outside charity shops or overflowing banks at high risk of being destroyed by the weather or by animals
// Destroyed items lose their value and it costs charity retailers money to dispose of ruined donations
The Charity Retail Association has launched a campaign urging the public to stop leaving items outside of closed charity shops or already-full donation banks.
Instead, people are being urged to hold on to their donations until shops reopen unless their preferred charity offers alternative donation options.
Charity shops are currently closed due to lockdown measures around the UK, with staff and volunteers unable to access their shops to process donations.
READ MORE: How charity shops are adapting amid Covid-19
The Charity Retail Association said donations dropped off outside charity shops or overflowing donation banks were at high risk of being destroyed by weather conditions or ruined by animals.
The group added that the destroyed items would lose their value as a result, and it would also cost charity retailers money to dispose of ruined donations.
“With so many people using the lockdown as an opportunity to have a clear out, we are grateful to everyone who is putting aside items to donate to charity shops,” Charity Retail Association chief executive Robin Osterly said.
“We are optimistic that when charity shops reopen there will be a surge in donations of high-quality pre-loved items and strong customer sales which will raise much needed funds to help those in need.
“To make sure that donations do not go to waste, we are urging people not to abandon donated items outside of closed shops or next to already full donation banks.
“The accumulation of abandoned donations outside closed shops creates a major problem as they will be quickly ruined by the weather, become a public nuisance and potentially risk public safety.
“It costs charities and local councils significant large sums to dispose of ruined donations left on the street.”
The Charity Retail Association re-iterated that donations – once they are safe to be left at stores again – would help charities respond to increasing demand for their services due to the pandemic.
It would also help plug a dramatic fall in income due to the closure of charity shops and cancellation of fundraising events.
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