Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein (D-Bayside) announced the Assembly and Senate passage of legislation to combat the proliferation of clothing collection bins provided by fake charities in New York (A.5317/S.5893-Lanza).

This legislation prohibits the placement of collection bins on public property. The bill also imposes maintenance requirements and strengthens the disclosures that must be placed on bins on private property, including whether or not a bin is operated by a non-profit organization or a for-profit business. Additionally, disclosure is required if the bin is operated by a for-profit business in conjunction with a non-profit organization, a practice referred to as “rent-a-charity.” Bin owners are subject to fines for violations of the disclosure and maintenance requirements of the bill.

“Fake charities are benefiting from the generous nature of our community by misleading people into believing that their donations are going to help those in need of assistance,” said Assemblyman Braunstein. “These bins are frequently placed on sidewalks and other public places, damaging the quality of life of our neighborhoods. It is time we remove these bins and ensure that fake charities no longer benefit from their deceptive actions.”

“Some of these bins are eyesores because they are not maintained by their operators, and serve as trash receptacles and graffiti magnets,” said Assemblyman Braunstein. “Collection bins have long been considered a positive way to donate used clothing to those in need, but they are sometimes operated by irresponsible companies masquerading as charities. This legislation will help to weed out the bad actors so that people can be certain that they are donating to charities or to legitimate textile recycling businesses, such as those affiliated with SMART, a coalition of companies whose goal is to remove the textiles from landfills.”

“The Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) voices our support on behalf of our membership for A.5317, sponsored by Assemblyman Braunstein, which would eliminate collection bins on public property and ensure that collection bins on private property are responsibly maintained and operated,” said Jackie King, Executive Director of SMART.

“SMART wholeheartedly supports the measures in the bill that address any potential ‘bad actors’ in the recycling/re-use community and provide for reasonable regulation of for profit and non-profit bin collectors, including maintenance and disclosure requirements for the owners of the bins and penalties for those placing bins without permission from property owners,” said Ms. King. “At the same time the bill will further SMART’s goal of reducing the amount of clothing and textiles that end up in New York State landfills by providing convenient locations for constituents to recycle their clothing and textiles.”

“I applaud Assemblyman Braunstein for taking action against these unscrupulous individuals who are looking to make a quick profit off of our intended good will donations. These illegal boxes do not serve those in need. They do nothing more than block sidewalks, attracting litter, graffiti and dumping, diminishing the quality of life in our community,” said Chrissy Voskerichian, President of the 109th Precinct Community Council.