Reminder on responsible use of charity clothing banks

Colleagues are being reminded that they could inadvertently be putting themselves at risk of a financial penalty when using charity shops or clothing banks.

People who think they are doing the right thing by leaving bags of charitable donations next to the public collection bins or outside charity shops may actually be fly-tipping without realising.

Many people across North Ayrshire do their best to support good causes by donating unwanted clothes and shoes to local charity shops or clothing banks that can be found in supermarket car parks, retail parks and other locations.

Charities rely on these good-quality donations to sell through their shops, and the clothing banks also help save pre-owned items from being disposed of, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

At clothing banks, people donate clean clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories in the familiar over-sized bins.

Dumped bags are usually ruined by the weather, get soiled or are rummaged through by passers-by, meaning they cannot be reused or recycled.

While banks are regularly serviced by contractors, from time to time they can be full and charity shops can often alter their opening hours. Dumping bags of donations – even when your intentions are good - is classed as fly-tipping

Our Streetscene team is responsible for collecting bags that are left on the ground, and officers can check these illegally-dumped bags for evidence of an address to find out who is responsible for leaving them.

Donations being left on the ground near charity banks often encourages people to dump bulky items, including furniture. If there is photographic or CCTV evidence of a driver fly-tipping in this manner, the Streetscene team can trace the vehicle’s owner through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

To report fly-tipping and find out more about fixed penalties, please go to the Council website. Information on where you can recycle goods in a responsible way can be found online here.
If you have a bulky items – such as old garden tools, sofas and bed frames - for uplift, please book a collection via the dedicated web page or call 01294 310000.

Published July 10, 2026