Note: Please call the store before dropping off donations. Some stores may allow donations only on certain days or hours.
Do you have unwanted items and clothing that you’d hate to see go to waste? Support fellow Melburnians in need by donating usable items. Don’t let your pre-loved belongings end up in the trash: find local charity bins to support both your community and the environment by preventing your items from going into a landfill as added waste.
With over 560 donation bins in the Melbourne area, finding a local charity bin is a breeze. To ensure that everyone has access to a local bin, they have been carefully located across the city of Melbourne and surrounding suburbs. Below is a list of locations where you can find local charity bins. Locations include but are not limited to:
Depending on the op-shop sponsoring each bin, there are rules and regulations for what can and cannot be placed in organisational charity bins. Vinnies, Salvos, and SCR Group have the majority of bins in the Melbourne region. Be sure to visit our site: https://findcharitybins.com.au to check out each opportunity shop’s rules and regulations.
A general rule of thumb for donating pre-used items is to ask ourselves: would I be comfortable giving this to a friend or family member? Items should be in good condition. Meaning, they are functional, usable, and presentable.
Clothing, shoes, accessories, toys, books, games, and bric-a-brac.
Clothing, shoes, accessories, toys, books, games, DVDs & Vinyl, bric-a-brac, and homeware.
Clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Recyclable items that are not usable can be put in bins for recycling. Items that are broken, ripped, faulty, or severely stained are considered unusable. Check each organisation’s website for recyclable rules. There are also categories of items that are typically not permitted for donation such as auto parts, building materials, paint, and chemicals. Some items cannot go in the bins but can be brought to the store for donation.
Vinnies:
Cannot go in the bin, but can be brought to the store for donation:
Salvos:
Cannot go in the bin, but can be picked up or brought to the store for donation:
SCR Group:
Cannot be donated at all:
Leaving items—donated or dumped—outside of charity bins and op-shops can result in a littering fine. As stated by the Environmental Protection Authority of Victoria, littering fines for individuals can range from $370.00 to $1,110.00 depending on the case. For companies, fines range from $1,849.00 to $5,548.00.
Overcrowding bins with unusable or unacceptable items will hinder each organisation’s ability to effectively sort through donations, distribute them to those in need, or recycle items.
Download the FindCharityBins app to locate your nearest charity bin or donation organisation, filter by donation item, rate and review your donation experience, and check out our blog.
Support your community and the environment through informed charity donations.
References:
Penalties. Environment Protection Authority Victoria, 21 Sept. 2022, https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/penalties.