Call to remove clothes banks over 'waste mountain'

26 minutes ago

Ben MellorDerby, Sinfin

News image — Barbara Hall said people were treating the clothes banks as a "tip run"

BBC A woman stood in front of clothing donation banks which have been blocked by a mound of rubbish bags. — Barbara Hall said people were treating the clothes banks as a "tip run"

Clothes banks in a suburb in Derby have been described as a "Mount Everest of household waste" as donations pile up.

Residents say they are concerned about the amount of recycling left outside a row of charity donation banks that are on private land and part of the Sinfin Shopping Centre in Derby.

Barbara Hall, who works for the Marie Curie charity shop nearby, said Sinfin had started to turn into "Sin-bin" because of the problem.

Asda, which manages the clothing banks, said it was actively reviewing their use but no decision had been made regarding their removal.

Derby City Council is not responsible for clearing up the excess donations because the site is on private land.

But it said leaving items outside of a donation bin counted as illegal fly-tipping.

A pile of rubbish and bin bags in front of clothes banks. — Clothing in bags left outside the clothing banks

Hall said the build-up began "in earnest" two months ago, when a charity that made regular collections and tidied the area removed its clothing donation bank and pulled out.

"They found some heroin needles and decided they weren't doing it anymore," she said.

"It's disgusting. I want all the bins gone. I want it cleaning up."

A view of a woman behind a pub bar. — Sharon Clark said items were dumped again just days after being removed

Sharon Clark, landlady of the Ferrers Arms pub, said the situation was "unacceptable and dreadful".

"It's going to encourage rats and mice.

"There are also people that go through the bins, searching for whatever; clothes, handbags, shoes, I don't know. It's a little bit intimidating."

Katie Davies, deputy manager of The ExtraCare Charitable Trust charity shop, said she had also seen people rummaging through the pile.

"It's like a Mount Everest of household waste. It's horrible. There's just been mountains and mountains of rubbish and all sorts."

A close up view of dumped rubbish bags. — Wardrobes, mattresses, and even toilets have been spotted in the past

An Asda spokesperson said: "We regularly arrange for this area to be cleared, organise collections and continue to monitor use of our recycling points.

"We thank those who use the facilities responsibly and help us keep the area clean and tidy," they added.

In a statement to the BBC, Derby City Council said residents who were concerned about rubbish on privately-owned land could make a complaint to its environment and regulatory services department.

"We encourage residents to act responsibly and only leave items at clothing donation bins if there is space in the bin," a spokesperson said.

"Any unwanted clothing can be disposed of at our Household Waste Recycling Centre."

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