Charity Retail Association warns that shops could close due to ‘£2.2m’ waste charge

22 Mar 2019 News

Charity shops in Greater Manchester could be made to pay an extra £2.2m a year when the local authority starts charging them to dispose of unsold items next month.

Currently, charity retailers in the area are able to dispose of household donations that are not suitable for resale or reuse free of charge.

But from 1 April, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) will charge charities commercial rates to dispose of their waste after they have used up a limited amount of 12 free visits per shop over a 12-month period.

The Charity Retail Association (CRA) estimates that more than 300 shops will be affected by the charge and that combined it could cost £2.2m a year, forcing some to close.

CRA: 'Disturbed to learn of this development'

The CRA said charities in Greater Manchester had been given three weeks’ notice about the charge, without consultation, giving them little time to prepare.

Robin Osterley, chief executive, said: “We are disturbed to learn of this development, which if implemented, may well mean that several charity shops in the Greater Manchester area face closure.

“We are calling on the combined authority to reverse this decision. Shop closures not only affect jobs and the ability for our members’ charities to raise money for good causes, but will also have a negative environmental impact and increase the amount of goods going into landfill – ironically costing the local authority more in landfill tax.”

The CRA said it believes the authority’s move contravenes the Controlled Waste Regulations 2012.

The regulations state that charities should only be charged for disposal of waste that originated from a non-domestic property.

Changes designed to encourage recycling

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) said in a statement that its changes were “designed to encourage charities to separate their waste correctly so that it can be recycled”.

It admitted that the changes were being introduced to save the authority money as GMCA currently has to “foot the bill” for waste disposed of by charities for free.

However, it said it believes the 12 free disposals per shop each year, combined with more materials being recycled, should be sufficient so charities do not pay anything under the new regime.

A GMCA spokesperson added: “I would urge charities who are concerned about the amendments to the terms and conditions to contact the waste and resources team directly as we fully support the important work they do in giving household waste a new purpose through the charity shop sales.”

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