Sarah von / Twitter
While they are placed in communities to fund local charities, donation bins often pose a number of problems.
For one, they can be a serious eyesore. Rather than placing their clothes in the bin, some people choose to leave clothing beside them. And while some individuals do this on purpose, others do it because the bins are overflowing and they can't fit more items inside.
What's more, a number of people have been seriously hurt or even lost their lives while trying to pull clothing out of the bins. In fact, three lives have been claimed in Metro Vancouver since 2015. If successful, many of these individuals sell the clothing from unlicensed “pop-up" shops on busy sidewalks. Of course, some people may raid the bins because they are in need of clothing, but they are risking their safety while doing it.
A Twitter user shared an image of a donation bin located at Pine and 4th Avenue that appears to have clothing strewn all around it. Aside from being unsightly, she remarks that it is, "daily raided by street people! The donations are not getting received by those that you're trying to help."
@BigBrothersYVR This donation bin is a very serious concern in our neighbourhood at Pine/4th ave, please remove this bin as it is daily raided by street people! The donations are not getting received by those that you’re trying to help #Vancouver #Vandalism @VancouverPD pic.twitter.com/eeIZQ6o5Z1
— Sarah von (@sential) November 7, 2018
While the bins are convenient, people may also take their clothing to a designated donation drop-off location in the city. Doing this ensures that donations go exactly where they are meant to, and that they do not pose a safety risk to the public.
With files from the Vancouver Courier.
