Unwanted goods can help others

Mayor Jasmine Nguyen, West Welcome Wagon chair Chris Scerri and Australian Red Cross merchandise team member Bimo Soeharto. Picture supplied

Want to clean out your house and help local charities in the process?

The Brimbank Reusable Goods Drop-off Day could be exactly what you’re looking for.

Brimbank residents can conveniently drop-off their unwanted household items for reuse or recycling at this no-charge event on December 11.

Items in good condition will be donated to local charities, West Welcome Wagon which supports asylum seekers, and Australian Red Cross.

During the COVID-19 pandemic these charities have experienced a rise in requests for support and a decline in goods donated due to lockdown restrictions.

Residents can drop off items like televisions, computers, electronic appliances, whitegoods, in good condition furniture and bicycles, homewares, clothes and linen.

West Welcome Wagon chair Chris Scerri said they had seen a 60 per cent reduction in donations during the pandemic, and a 15 per cent increase in requests for support.

Australian Red Cross merchandise and distribution centres manager Brooke Sclater said with stores being closed, it had seen a big drop in the amount of items being donated.

Brimbank mayor Jasmine Nguyen said she hoped that the community will take advantage of the day.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been harder than usual to find a convenient and responsible way to dispose of unwanted household items.”

There is a maximum of eight items per household and residents need to bring their rates notice or drivers licence to confirm their address.

The drop off area will be Victoria University’s Sunshine campus.

Tara Murray