Bill would set tighter regs for clothing donation bins
By Julio Olivencia
Bayside Democrat Assemblyman Edward Braunstein wants to stop goodhearted New Yorkers from being tricked into donating to for-profit companies.
Dubious clothing donation bins have become a problem in New York City, where community groups claim they attract pests, block sidewalks and trick unsuspecting citizens to donate clothing to companies that then sell them for profit.
"These bins that are being placed on public and private property are not being done so by charitable organizations, but are being dropped off by private individuals who are making a profit," Greater Whitestone Tax Payers Civic Association President Kim Cody said. "These clothing bins are dropped off and only have to be moved within 30 days. On the 29th day, the clothing bins are moved to a different location, sometimes only down the street."
Braunstein plans to introduce legislation that would allow only charitable, not-for-profit organizations to operate clothing donation bins. The bins would also be limited in placement to private property that the organization has written permission to use and any bins in non-compliance could be immediately removed and the company would face a fine.
http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-07-21-88669.113122-Bill-would-set-tighter-regs-for-clothing-donation-bins.html
