Police are developing a national strategy to help reduce charity collection crimes. A trebling in the price of used clothing over the past three years has caused a rise in thefts by organised criminals, who are thought to be selling the clothes in Eastern Europe.
A tonne of textiles now goes for £600, as opposed to £200 in 2008, so thieves are emptying charity clothes banks – worth £150 to £200 each – before volunteers can collect donations. Items left outside shops are also being targeted, and some organisations are making bogus doorstep appeals posing as charities. The crimes come at a time when donations to charity shops have dropped by 10 per cent – because of the recession, people are moving house less frequently and holding onto clothes for longer.
The British Heart Foundation says it lost out on £3 million last year, and fears that figure could double this year. Retail Director Mike Lucas said: “Stealing stock that is intended for our charity is akin to robbing people with heart conditions of a better quality of life.”
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.