I did not know that, Whynot. Still, the bins should be marked honestly for what they are. NOT dumped on our sidewalks as they please, perhaps placed at a gas station or lot. I like the idea of a real storefront collection where by the companies participate in the communities rather than trash it.
I believe these stores are able to make money in high cost areas, mostly from the sale and donation of NON clothing items: Housewares, small appliances, etc.
"Cool retro clothing" also is a money maker.
...but such clothing is a tiny % of what is going in the local faux charity bins.
Well, if anyone has any large cotton sweaters they're thinking of giving away I would happily take them. I unravel these sweaters then warp up the cotton yarns onto my loom and make handwoven items like dishcloths, tea towels, and scarves. Denim or cotton bed sheets or curtains would also happily be of use in weaving rugs. I'm a little leery of thrift stores for the bug factor. And, Fulton and Franklin is nowhere near convenient for me and not near any trains I take.
hmmm, last week there was a bin overflowing on Washington avenue across from botanic garden, right near the overpass of the Q train. i know someone that used to work for USAgain. he said that their business is so profitable that the bins are kind of a calculated casualty. They sell the clothes by the trailer. sometimes here sometimes down in Mexico, etc. and so by purchasing the trailer, you get a mixed bag if reselling to the public for profit. There might be gucci bags in one lot, but ragged clothes in another. The other side of their business is textile based. You know how upholstery and car seats have multi colored stuffing sometimes? That too is sold from what goes into the bins. So, if anyone here wants to donate items that they no longer want, please make sure you go to a reputable place that can give you a RECEIPT for your donation.
edited to add, some of the bins are on the corner near a bodega or a parking lot of a bigger company, the bins pay monthly rent to those guys.
i know someone that used to work for USAgain. he said that their business is so profitable that the bins are kind of a calculated casualty. They sell the clothes by the trailer. sometimes here sometimes down in Mexico, etc. and so by purchasing the trailer, you get a mixed bag if reselling to the public for profit. There might be gucci bags in one lot, but ragged clothes in another.
The legit charities in the US (such as Goodwill) receive more clothing than they can sell locally.
Once I tried to drop off a bunch of items left over from my (now) deceased parents to Goodwill (on Livingston) around the winter holiday season. The staff told me up front that they didn't really have room for donations that that moment in time.
Both Goodwill locations are a little bit of a schelp for me. The journey to the one on Franklin is easier if you are carrying the items in a cart because it is 1) steps from the train station and 2) there is an elevator there. Can't say the same regarding the location on Livingston Street.
ETA: The one by the new TD Bank on Bedford Avenue was moved onto the sidewalk on Sullivan Place during construction. I want to send in a notice to DSNY but I wonder whether it will do any good.
Also, the unit on Sullivan Place behind that building that will be a new Walgreens is still there. The area has been fenced off, but people are still apparently dumping clothes there. Some of it is even getting caught on the top of the fence. I wonder how to proceed.
I find it outrageous that the onlyway of reporting it in this day and age is via U.S. mail. Really?
wish i had my camera. Saw a sanitation truck picking up 3 clothing bins along Washington AveTand Atlantic this morning. Would like to be able to share this moment. They did it the hard way though with a hydraulic cable and dragged it onto truck. they need a fork lift.
Someone wasn't happy about the pink bin on Park between Classon and Washington, since I saw it knocked over this morning. How light are these things that someone tipped it over?
However, it has big drawback in terms of convenience: The bins sit inside a building. Space is valuable and people who don't live in the building have no access to it.
The program does, however, potentially reduce the number of bins entities like Viltex find profitable to place around.
BTW, can I get readers to post the locations of bins that have already been tagged by Sanitation, and are awaiting removal?
there is a bin on Prospect place and nostrand that had its Sanitation tag and crayon numbers covered by a poster so there it still sits 2 months later.
"Summonses are not issued, a department spokeswoman explained, based on the theory that those distributing the bins have factored any fines into the cost of doing business."
"Once found by Sanitation Department enforcement officers or reported by residents to the city’s 311 help line, an illegal bin is tagged and the owner has 30 days to remove it."
So, here is the order of events: 1. Bin is placed.
2. Someone complains about bin.
3. Sanitation tags the bin.
4. Over the course of the next 30 days, the tag may be removed by the company, or the bin moved.
5. If the bin remains, Sanitation can remove it. However, Sanitation doesn't know that it is still there.
I saw a bin on Atlantic between the Armory at Bedford and the adjoining auto repair shop that has a sticker partly pulled off. This plus the one I mentioned before at Nostrand and Prospct gives you 2 for your list, whynot.
For now, just worry about the bins that are already tagged.
But a quick and dirty way determine the property line is to look at the fence line in either direction. Sidewalk cafes, trash cans, etc. all are supposed to be within the line.
Seriously, the fence is not often the property line. The city often owns right up to the first step of house and even has right to remove a stoop if they want to widen street. So the fence is just an allowed curtesy of the city. I have seen this to be true on my own properties and confirmed it with HPD. In one case the fence is over a 100 years old yet sits four feet on city property! Every property is unique to the survey. The city won't inforce a missplaced fence until it is reported or becomes issue.
Cafes have to keep 8 feet of sidewalk from curb clear.
As a rule of thumb, the city has 15 feet from the curb. As @Dawndew noted, quite often, stoops and fences are on city property, particularly on residential streets.
However, we cannot just put anything infront of our houses even if it is within your property line. These faux charity bins are in fact a commercial enterprise and perhaps not allowed on a residential front yard or sidewalk.
The effort now has enough momentum that a State AM is making statements about how he wants a change to laws at either the state or city level. In other words, disliking these bins is a calculated win:
@rmaniac - Does your home subway station not have elevators?
There was a pink bin on Franklin between Sullivan Place and Montgomery Street. I was going to take down its information yesterday when I noticed that it had disappeared. Weird.
I am still wondering why the city takes so long. As far as a 'registered' car goes I can understand that the car belongs to someone. But these boxes are not registered, they are just sitting there with lies and false claims printed on them. What is stopping the city from collecting them ASAP. What possible regulation could be stopping them. If my car is parked on the sidewalk it would be towed within the hour. If I had dumped construction debri such as cinder blocks on the sidewalk they would be removed or the owner of the land it is in front of would be ticketed for not maintaining sidewalk. These faux bins I am guessing are even making the city skitish that they may in fact be church charities? But haven't we all proven that they are not already? Why do we need a law to do the job of cleaning?
because the city can charge hundreds in fines, and people want their cars. however these bins are replaceable, where as person won't buy a new car,
I am still wondering why the city takes so long. As far as a 'registered' car goes I can understand that the car belongs to someone. But these boxes are not registered, they are just sitting there with lies and false claims printed on them. What is stopping the city from collecting them ASAP. What possible regulation could be stopping them. If my car is parked on the sidewalk it would be towed within the hour. If I had dumped construction debri such as cinder blocks on the sidewalk they would be removed or the owner of the land it is in front of would be ticketed for not maintaining sidewalk. These faux bins I am guessing are even making the city skitish that they may in fact be church charities? But haven't we all proven that they are not already? Why do we need a law to do the job of cleaning?
That article makes some good points, and I have no problem with the bin companies that clearly state they are For Profit and put their bins on private property with the owners permission.
USAgain appears to be doing that at the car wash at Bedford and EP.
Hopefully they benefit from all of the Viltex bins being removed....
Today I am proud to announce that I will be co-sponsoring legislation in the City Council that will empower the Department of Sanitation to immediately remove fraudulent for-profit clothing collection bins that have littered our public streets. This aggressive bill will impose stiff penalties on companies engaged in this illegal practice and will ensure New Yorkers can fully enjoy our City’s sidewalks.
This legislative accomplishment would not have been possible without the relentless community advocacy of residents and organizations in neighborhoods like Sunset Park and Red Hook that ensured the full scope of the problem was well documented and reported to my Office, the local Community Boards, and the Department of Sanitation. Residents from across the district helped shape the final bill by pointing to regulations hindering the City from taking immediate action that we have addressed in the local law we will introduce.
Community-driven bills like this set an example for the kind of legislative work that you should expect from my Office.
Carlos Menchaca NYC Council Member | 38th District
On a related note, old clothes are piling up by the clothing donation container behind the former grounds of the laundromat that is on Empire Boulevard and McKeever Place. The bin is behind a chain link fence, so people cannot access it directly. So, people apparently have been throwing clothes & other items over the fence. Some of the stuff doesn't even clear the top of the fence; it gets stuck. It's becoming an eyesore, and I have no idea when construction is going to start on the new Walgreens. What are my options? I don't think reporting it to 311 as "dumping" would be effective since I've never witnessed this as it is happening.
I wonder if some people leave their clothing donations beside the bin (instead of inside them), with the thought that those who need clothing will use it.
...not realizing that the chance of the local homeless/poor person being a "good match" for their donation is almost zero.
The bin by TD Bank on Bedford Avenue and Sullivan Place has been tagged for removal! (I've been meaning to report it but someone had plastered a flyer for an event over the bin's contact information.)
"Legislation introduced by Councilman Vincent Gentile that would give the boot to illegal clothing donation bins on city property now has the backing of the mayor and several of the pol’s Council colleagues, setting it up for swift passage." ... "The bill will authorize the Department of Sanitation to immediately remove clothing donation bins illegally placed on public property. It also gives the agency the power to issue a $250 fine to first-time violators and $500 fines for repeat offenders."
Maybe they will resort to designing vans with the same access door but instead of on the sidewalk they are 'parked' on the street and move around to collect clothes. that seems acceptable.
I have seen those around. I suspect it is in response to having a bin removed being a real possibility.
They also look like they'd be easier than the metal ones for a few people to move onto the street, where sanitation can PRESENTLY remove debris without having to wait 30 days.
This morning I saw that the bin at Washington and Sullivan has also been tagged.
This bin has been removed. Any others in the area?
This morning I noticed that another bin has replaced this one. ( I know I didn't see it on Saturday when I walked by the lot at 1 Sullivan Place) Yet, it's already been tagged.
I read somewhere that people removing (or, in this case obscuring) the tags is a problem, but that the real problem is that Sanitation doesn't presently have the resources to remove all of the bins that are visibly tagged over 30 days ago.
There were a couple of kids rolling dice under the shuttle tracks on Prospect Place the other day right where the old bin used to sit. It seems that the city is reclaiming the space and everything is back to its natural order. However, there is still a pile of (now soaked) clothes to mark where the bin once stood..
Now cars are worth more to scrap dealers so you need not abandon it someone will pay for it and tow it. Now maybe the city should authorize scrap dealers to pick up the bins?
Comments
I believe these stores are able to make money in high cost areas, mostly from the sale and donation of NON clothing items: Housewares, small appliances, etc.
"Cool retro clothing" also is a money maker.
...but such clothing is a tiny % of what is going in the local faux charity bins.
franklin and fulton are no way near me. Besides it would be difficult to carry a huge load on train, try carring up the stairs.
For now I only go to salvation army thrift shop by nostrand when I rent a car, which is at least once a year.
edited to add, some of the bins are on the corner near a bodega or a parking lot of a bigger company, the bins pay monthly rent to those guys.
The bins are quite heavy, and without the use of equipment, very difficult to move as far as the street.
A pallet jack (discussed above) is problematic in terms of availability and discreetness.
However, one could flip the bin onto a really well made furniture dolly, move it, and then dump it in a nearby space on the street.
Asking for a hypothetical friend.
I'd estimate an empty bin to be about 500 lbs., so you'd get about $30 (500 x $0.06) at one of the local scrap yards.
This is based on an assumption that local scrap yards (such as the one by the Gowanus Lowe's) pay similar prices to this place: http://rockawayrecycling.com/scrap-metal-pictures/scrap-metal-prices/
My hope is that Sanitation sells them for scrap (as opposed to selling them to someone who just puts them back out on the street).
As a result, I suspect Sanitation spends far more money retrieving bins than it gets back.
With a ‘Charitable Veneer,’ Littering the Streets With Collection Bins
By DAVID GONZALEZ
JULY 6, 2014
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/07/nyregion/with-a-charitable-veneer-seeking-donations-and-then-profits.html
"Summonses are not issued, a department spokeswoman explained, based on the theory that those distributing the bins have factored any fines into the cost of doing business."
*facepalm
So, here is the order of events:
1. Bin is placed.
2. Someone complains about bin.
3. Sanitation tags the bin.
4. Over the course of the next 30 days, the tag may be removed by the company, or the bin moved.
5. If the bin remains, Sanitation can remove it. However, Sanitation doesn't know that it is still there.
Seems tedious.
PM me or post locations on this thread. Thanks.
Cafes have to keep 8 feet of sidewalk from curb clear.
And this lack of clarity is yet another obstacle which makes it difficult for the city to tag and remove the bins.
If they were placed on the street, Sanitation's work would be much easier.
The NYT article also referenced fines being possible, yet not issued. I assume that the fines could only be issued after 30 days as well.
3 more to go.
The effort now has enough momentum that a State AM is making statements about how he wants a change to laws at either the state or city level. In other words, disliking these bins is a calculated win:
http://pix11.com/2014/07/11/assemblyman-pushes-to-rid-nyc-streets-of-illegal-clothing-bins/
however these bins are replaceable, where as person won't buy a new car,
I haven't seen the big "STOP DO NOT PLACE ITEMS IN THIS BIN" sticker obstructing the chute before.
I am glad Sanitation is using these stickers while they sit waiting for pick up.
USAgain appears to be doing that at the car wash at Bedford and EP.
Hopefully they benefit from all of the Viltex bins being removed....
Nothing wrong with profit.
Today I am proud to announce that I will be co-sponsoring legislation in the City Council that will empower the Department of Sanitation to immediately remove fraudulent for-profit clothing collection bins that have littered our public streets. This aggressive bill will impose stiff penalties on companies engaged in this illegal practice and will ensure New Yorkers can fully enjoy our City’s sidewalks.
This legislative accomplishment would not have been possible without the relentless community advocacy of residents and organizations in neighborhoods like Sunset Park and Red Hook that ensured the full scope of the problem was well documented and reported to my Office, the local Community Boards, and the Department of Sanitation. Residents from across the district helped shape the final bill by pointing to regulations hindering the City from taking immediate action that we have addressed in the local law we will introduce.
Community-driven bills like this set an example for the kind of legislative work that you should expect from my Office.
Carlos Menchaca
NYC Council Member | 38th District
...not realizing that the chance of the local homeless/poor person being a "good match" for their donation is almost zero.
http://www.bensonhurstbean.com/2014/08/gentile-bill-crack-illegal-clothing-donation-bins-wins-support-mayor-council-colleagues/
"Legislation introduced by Councilman Vincent Gentile that would give the boot to illegal clothing donation bins on city property now has the backing of the mayor and several of the pol’s Council colleagues, setting it up for swift passage."
...
"The bill will authorize the Department of Sanitation to immediately remove clothing donation bins illegally placed on public property. It also gives the agency the power to issue a $250 fine to first-time violators and $500 fines for repeat offenders."
As an aside:
Man, would I love to have a small plot of land I could rent to a for-profit or non-for-profit donation bin.
...if passed and enforced, these new laws are going to make such companies desperate for such plots and pay well.
The new laws encourage this practice, whether it is legal or not. DOB has too many other things to do to worry about it.
They also look like they'd be easier than the metal ones for a few people to move onto the street, where sanitation can PRESENTLY remove debris without having to wait 30 days.
City Council will see if the can city fine and remove the bins on city property right away.
Hearing on Sept 8th.
The bins are like tribbles.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tribbles
http://theboweryboys.blogspot.com/2014/09/new-york-citys-stripped-and-abandoned.html
The Commissioner of Sanitation speaks before the city council re: new bill being considered.