Ken Gregson is tired of cleaning up other people’s rubbish. 27182 Picture: Luke Plummer
By Casey Neill
A BORONIA charity worker has pleaded with locals to stop dumping rubbish outside his store.
Aussie Veterans Opp Shop’s Ken Gregson said the shop had spent almost $5000 removing garbage over the past three months.
“You’ve got to sell a lot of second-hand clothes to make that sort of money,” he said.
Dirty nappies and syringes are among items left outside the Erica Avenue store.
“They’re really shifting the cost of dumping their rubbish to charitable organisations,” Mr Gregson said.
He said looters pilfered useful items before they could be sorted from the junk, and urinated on bags filled with donations.
“The bags are ripped and the goods are spread all over the footpath,” he said.
“They’re stealing from us.”
Mr Gregson said the problem was getting worse.
“Incrementally it’s gone up at least a grand a year over the last couple of years,” he said.
Aussie Veterans Opp Shop provides financial and practical assistance to war veterans, their families, carers and significant others.
The shop distributes $30,000 in cash annually, and more in goods.
“I’d much rather assist someone who’s in a bit of strife than clean up rubbish some inconsiderate little so and so’s dumped,” Mr Gregson said.
“We could pay for two funerals with what it costs us each year.”
In 2007 rubbish dumped in front of the store barricaded Mr Gregson inside.
He had to unlock the roller rear door to get out.
Knox mayor David Cooper said such acts cost Knox charities up to $50,000 each year.
“We’re alarmed by reports of deliberate rubbish dumping at local opportunity shops,” he said.
“It’s not in the spirit of donating and detracts from the efforts of those who are trying to help.”
Cr Cooper said the council would work closely with opportunity stores to find ways to combat the problem.
Baird Ward councillor Peter Cole said anyone caught deliberately dumping rubbish could be fined for breaching the Environment Protection Act.
Anyone who would like to volunteer at Aussie Veterans Opp Shop can call 9761 0468.
