Brooklynites continue to become aware of illegal clothing bin issue

Bin there, done that.

The city is cracking down on the rising number of illegal clothing bins sprinkled throughout the borough, many located on sidewalks, which is illegal.

“The placement of collection bins by any person, other than a government or governmental agency, or its contractors or licensees on any city property, property maintained by the city, or on any public sidewalk or roadway is prohibited,” says Kathy Dawkins, a spokesperson for the Department of Sanitation (DOS), who told this paper that, within the last year, there has been a significant increase in bin removals.

“Citywide, the Department of Sanitation removed 132 clothing collection bins for Fiscal Year ‘14. In Fiscal Year ‘13, seven bins were removed,” added Dawkins.

But, that’s not enough for local residents and elected officials who see the collection bins as both a nuisance and a sham — obstructions for pedestrians that encourage both the dumping of garbage and crowds of people removing the garments from the bins, trying them on, and taking them, and which, in reality, are often placed by for-profit companies looking to trade on the generosity of area residents.

“Do not be fooled by their charitable veneer. The clothing collected in these bins is not donated to charity but often sold by the pound – there is nothing ‘nonprofit’ about it,” said Justin Brannan, director of legislative affairs for Councilmember Vincent Gentile, who is working on legislation to streamline the bin removal processCurrently, when a bin is reported, a DOS officer tags it. The owner then has 30 days to remove the bin – more than enough time for bin owners to collect a mass of clothes, pick up the bin and move it to another spot, starting the process all over again.

“If the clothing bin is still on location after the 30-day period, we remove and recycle it. Arrangements are made for any material already in the bin,” said Dawkins, who added, “Placement of collection bins on private property is allowed, provided that the property owner has furnished the collection bin owner with written authorization.”

Longtime Brooklyn residents such NinoshkaGarrick, who have donated via clothing bins in the past, are disturbed by the reality.

“I always assumed the bins’ original purpose was to help those in need but it turns out that that’s not the case, which is so unfortunate, and I don’t think that many people know that those bins are in fact illegal,” she said. “I myself didn’t know until like a year ago. Before that, I used to [donate to] the bin located at 40th Street and Fourth Avenue because it was convenient.

“I think the illegal bins should be removed, companies behind them should be penalized and people should be educated about the bins, since there are legitimate bins, such as Goodwill,” added Garrick.

Those that see illegal bins can report them by contacting 311 or visiting www.nyc.gov/sanitation.

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