News

Actions

Pasco donation bins could face new rules

"Donation bins becoming dump sites"
Posted at 6:58 PM, Sep 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-27 09:54:07-04

"There's just a lot of unwanted stuff and it doesn't seem like anyone is taking care of it," said John Loudon.

That stuff includes mattresses, broken tables and TVs and lots and lots of trash piled high next to donation bins scattered around Pasco County.

"I often wonder how legitimate they are, they sound good but is that really the case," said Loudon who passes by the bins weekly.

According to the county, many of the bins aren't living up to the promises inscribed on the sides.

"Many of these bins aren't put there by legitimate charities, they're actually people that are using this as a business," said County Commissioners Mike Moore.

A business our I-Team showed makes a lot of money off your generosity.

If they're not making money, they're costing you it by way of your tax dollars.

"It's coming out of the general budget for us to go and clean these sites up," said Moore.

Or folks just steal what is inside as seen in local surveillance video.

"It makes everybody look bad," said Jennifer Flemming.

Flemming is with Goodwill and says they tend to their bins daily but acknowledges many other organizations do not and may end up costing everyone.

"It makes us angry," said Flemming. "Donations are the lifeblood of our business and our programs for people we help."

On Tuesday county commissions are expected to vote on a new ordinance that would require each bin to be registered, display that registration with contact information and maintain the grounds around the bin. If not, they'll see some hefty fines.

"If it gets to the point where this wouldn't work, we're not going to be able to have the bins in Pasco County anymore," said Moore.