Lifeline Mid Coast welcomes donations of saleable items

Lifeline Mid Coast says the organisation welcomes donations of items that can be on-sold in order to continue offering critical suicide counselling services.

But it has to draw the line where non-saleable items are being dumped outside its numerous collection bins.

Business manager Kurt Russell said while the level of dumping of goods has been a continual problem for all not for profit charities who operate op-shops, the regularity appears to be increasing.

"There is a fad right now where people are de-cluttering their homes," he said.

"However we are finding that while we are still getting donated goods to on-sell, more goods are being dumped that are not able to be sold at all.

"People are also tending to rummage through this excess stock leaving a mess that our volunteers have to clean up and dispose instead of being put on our showroom floors to on-sell.

"The other side to this is that our volunteers are now spending too much time cleaning up."

Mr Russell said Lifeline's purpose was to raise funds through its op-shops to carry out its core role of offering telephone counselling services.

He said it is becoming demoralising for volunteers who have to spend more time cleaning up than providing items to sell.

The business manager says education will be key to helping potential donors understand what can be on-sold.

"A rule of thumb is that if it is not good enough to give to a relative or friend it is not good enough to donate," he said.

"Our volunteers' time is best spent doing what we do best and not spending time and money cleaning up."

Mr Russell said Lifeline is grateful for the continued donations - without donations the organisation would not exist.

He said the advent of fast fashion - where a product or item is purchased and worn once before being disposed - was also a contributing factor in the increased dumping of goods.

"At this time of the year it is inherent that people are getting new items through Christmas gifts and to make room for that they go through their cupboards and donate," he said.

"The main decision to make at that point is whether the item can be recycled to Lifeline or should be taken to the tip."

Lifeline Mid Coast is continuing to accept donations at its op-shops through its free pick up services or at its strategically placed donation bins across the local government area.

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