Charitable collections

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Charity shops and good causes are losing millions of pounds a year to commercial second-hand goods collectors who profit from our desire to help others.

Non-charitable collectors put leaflets through letterboxes throughout the UK asking homeowners to leave out unwanted clothes and shoes. The leaflets usually imply that the clothing will be sent to eastern Europe or to developing countries to help those who cannot afford new garments, using statements such as “Third World Clothing Collection” or “We Urgently Need Clothing”. These statements are usually larger and bolder than the rest of the leaflet.

As their leaflets usually explain that they are a commercial collection company, they are operating within the law. In general they do not make any false claims, but the fact that they are not charities is usually in very small print.

We would urge members of the public to read the small print on the leaflets or bags they receive through their doors asking for donations.

Registered charities are estimated to be losing over £2 million a year as a result of this type of operation. Commercial collectors ship clothing to be sold on overseas street stalls, mostly in eastern Europe and Africa, pocketing the profit and giving nothing to charity. Many well known and highly respected registered charities have outlets in Renfrewshire and many also offer to collect from houses by arrangement.

You should always check to make sure that any company claiming to be a charity is registered. You can do this by contacting the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator or the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

If in doubt, take old clothing direct to a shop or use a clothes bank.

Contact us

• email: ts.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• call in or write to us at:
  Renfrewshire Council
  Environmental Services
  Trading Standards
  Renfrewshire House
  Cotton Street
  Paisley
  PA1 1BR