Accessibility tools
Powered by 
Translate
Use the boxes below to change the website colours.
Visit disclaimer page for more information about the accessibility tool.
Reminder on responsible use of charity clothing banks
Residents are being reminded that they could inadvertently be putting themselves at risk of a financial penalty when using charity shops or clothing banks.
People who think they are doing the right thing by leaving bags of charitable donations next to the public collection bins or outside charity shops may actually be fly-tipping without realising.
Many people across North Ayrshire do their best to support good causes by donating unwanted clothes and shoes to local charity shops or clothing banks that can be found in supermarket car parks, retail parks and other locations.
Charities rely on these good-quality donations to sell through their shops, and the clothing banks also help save pre-owned items from being disposed of, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
At clothing banks, people donate clean clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories in the familiar over-sized bins.
Dumped bags are usually ruined by the weather, get soiled or are rummaged through by passers-by, meaning they cannot be reused or recycled.
While banks are regularly serviced by contractors, from time to time they can be full and charity shops can often alter their opening hours. Dumping bags of donations – even when your intentions are good - is classed as fly-tipping
The Council’s Streetscene team is responsible for collecting bags that are left on the ground, and officers can check these illegally-dumped bags for evidence of an address to find out who is responsible for leaving them.
Quote: While we understand that people in our communities think they are doing a nice thing by donating to their favourite charity, there is a considerable cost to the Council for removing any bags that are left on the ground near charity clothing banks when they are full. We would like to remind residents that leaving bags of donations on the ground near the textile bins - or outside charity shops - is illegal and is classed as fly-tipping.
Quote from: Councillor Eleanor Collier, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy
Donations being left on the ground near charity banks often encourages people to dump bulky items, including furniture. If there is photographic or CCTV evidence of a driver fly-tipping in this manner, the Streetscene team can trace the vehicle’s owner through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Councillor Collier added: “If you want to donate by using a clothing bank and it is full, please try another clothing bank, or please go to a charity shop during opening hours.
“This will help reduce the mounting costs of our Streetscene staff clearing up dumped donations, and will be much better for the local environment.”
Anyone caught fly-tipping can receive a £500 penalty, which was introduced on 1January, 2024 by the Scottish Government.
In 2025-26, the Council has issued the following Fixed Penalty Notices: dog fouling, 16; littering, 68 and fly-tipping, 165.
Published: 10 July 2026