Op-shop rubbish fees are piling up as people dump masses of 'unusable' items outside. 

The SPCA says it's spent $250,000 this year. 

Retail general manager Cathy Crichton says the charity's grateful to receive donations of quality items - but people also leave damaged or unhygienic items it must throw away. 

She says binning large items like mattresses can cost a lot.

"That, in itself, is eroding the good work that our volunteers and team members are doing and building fundraising - and that's the commercial challenge."

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Op-shop rubbish fees are piling up as people dump masses of 'unusable' items outside.&nbsp;
The SPCA says it's spent $250,000 this year.&nbsp;
Retail general manager Cathy Crichton says the charity's grateful to receive donations of quality items - but people also leave damaged or unhygienic items it must throw away.&nbsp;
She says binning large items like mattresses can cost a lot.
"That, in itself, is eroding the good work that our volunteers and team members are doing and building fundraising - and that's the commercial challenge."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Cathy Crichton: SPCA general manager of retail on the unusable donations driving up rubbish fees

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2b8a66df-dc22-468b-baed-b2d7006b0194/transcript