Editorial: Trash is seldom anyone's treasure

Why would anyone think someone wanted their rubbish or broken appliances?

This is exactly what some of Rotorua's second-hand stores are having to deal with as part of "donated goods" from members of the public.

This is just lazy. It seems to me that people are obviously dumping their rubbish and broken appliances at second-hand stores so they don't have to get rid of the unwanted items themselves. Instead of taking them to the recycling centre or to the dump, they're making it the responsibility of those running the second-hand stores.

Yesterday, we featured a story about this issue.

Lynmore St Vincent de Paul manager Jim Gray told us people did dump their rubbish outside their store in the Te Ngae shopping complex.

He said people usually left their donated goods outside the door and the donations varied in quality from not-so-good to excellent.

Nationally, Salvation Army stores have received mouldy clothes, broken electrical equipment and even full bags of household rubbish.

Why?

It seems some people are leaving their junk for others to get rid of. In some instances, there probably are some people who truly believe someone might want their broken appliance if it's easy enough to fix. Others, however, who dump bags of household rubbish at second-hand stores, are just plain lazy and disgusting. How would they like it if someone was to dump rubbish at their door?

The next time you or someone you know goes to donate goods to a second-hand store, make sure they're items that may be of use. And if you have rubbish to get rid of, don't leave your mess for someone else to clean up. Go to the recycling centre or the rubbish tip.

What do you think?

Email editor@dailypost.co.nz, text DP then your message to 021 241 4568, or write to editor, PO Box 1442, Rotorua.