Bin overflow riles traders

By Callan Date
OVERFLOWING charity bins in Narre Warren have been hindering people more than helping them.
Last week three Australian Red Cross charity donation bins near Rebound Court were surrounded with donated goods – causing a major health and safety risk for people in the area.
Microwaves, couches, clothes and toys were just a few of the items littered around the bins as late as Tuesday this week.
Rubbish around the area added to creating a major eyesore for anyone in the vicinity.
After inquiries from the News regarding the state of the area and various safety risks involved, Red Cross officials immediately ordered a clean-up.
However, local traders have voiced their concerns over what they say is the continued problem of overflowing bins at the site.
A local employee said the bins were often surrounded by junk and were a major hazard for customers and businesses in the area.
Victorian Red Cross marketing and communications officer Melissa Sawyer said the Narre Warren bins should be emptied three times a week.
She said Red Cross employed an external company, FM Recycling, to help collect and sort the goods from the donation bins.
“There is a particularly high demand at this time of year across the board, possibly attributed to the holiday period and people having additional time to sort through their belongings,” Ms Sawyer said.
She said when charity bins are full donors can contact 1800 339 888 and the items would be collected within 24 hours.