Leaving bags beside clothing banks might feel helpful, but it’s actually fly tipping.
Exeter City Council and The Salvation Army are asking residents to stop leaving ‘donations’ on the ground near textile banks. SATCol, the Salvation Army’s trading arm, empties its banks regularly and responds quickly to reports of full containers. Unfortunately, people are leaving bags without checking, which leads others to follow suit.
Even a single bag of clothes left beside a bank is classed as fly tipping. The rules don’t change just because it’s at a recycling site or intended for charity. Donations become waste the moment they are left on the ground.
Once exposed to weather or contamination, these items can no longer be sold or reused, costing both the Council and the charity time and money to clear away. The Council must inspect, remove and investigate illegally dumped waste, which impacts other vital public services.
Worse still, once one person leaves a bag, others start dumping furniture, mattresses, and general rubbish, turning community recycling sites into fly-tipping hotspots.
When donations are made responsibly, The Salvation Army can continue to fund vital work supporting survivors of modern slavery, providing shelter for people experiencing homelessness, and more.
You remain legally responsible for the waste you produce. To help:
- Check if banks are full before leaving items.
- If they are, try another site or take your items home.
- Never leave donations or waste on the ground.
If you spot a full bank, report it so it can be emptied quickly: Report an overflowing recycling bank
Thank you for helping to keep Exeter clean and supporting local charities.
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