Illegal dumping is costing charities millions of dollars every year.
Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB) is calling for tougher fines for illegal dumping and monitoring of dumping hot spots.
Keep Australia Beautiful’s Chief Executive Officer Philip Robinson said action would prevent charity bins becoming obsolete.
“Donating unwanted goods to charity is a great alternative to throwing them away, but you’re not helping anyone by turning charity bins into dumpsites,” Robinson said.
“Donations help raise vital funds for the community services these charities provide – let’s not let a few bad eggs ruin it for everyone.
“It’s estimated 40 per cent of donations to charities in New South Wales are unusable, with illegally dumped waste burdening charities with $3 million in disposal costs a year.”
Robinson said Australians should donate to charity shops during opening hours.
“This will ensure large items which do not fit in charity bins can be taken on the spot and not left out to be damaged by weather or vandals,” said Robinson.
According to the KAB National Litter Index, the volume of illegal dumping has decreased by 54% in New South Wales over the past 10 years.
“We need to continue this impressive downward trend in New South Wales and lead the country in the fight against illegal dumping,” Robinson said.