New law targets clothing bins

ALBANY — A new law in New York aims to curb the proliferation of clothing collection bins set up by fake charities by imposing stricter regulations on their placement, maintenance, and disclosure.

The legislation prohibits collection bins on public property and imposes maintenance requirements. It also requires disclosure about whether it's operated by a for-profit business or nonprofit organization, or operated by a for-profit business in conjunction with a nonprofit organization. Bin owners are subject to fines for violating the bill’s disclosure and maintenance requirements.

The bill was sponsored by NYS Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein (D-Bayside) and supported by the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART). It was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo on Dec. 14.

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

SMART Executive Director Jackie King said its members "abide by a rigorous code of conduct and support any measures that address potential ‘bad actors’ within the recycling/reuse community.”

SMART's member companies use recycled and secondary materials from used clothing, commercial laundries and non-woven, off spec material, new mill ends, and paper from around the world. Its members recycled nearly four billion pounds of used clothing and other textile waste that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill each year, King said. Its members range from wiping rag manufacturers, textile wholesalers, textile graders, fiber conversion companies and collection bin operators.