Thrift stores in northern Ontario say more people dropping off their trash at their doorsteps

When Richard Barlow arrives at work in the morning, there are often bags of donated items left outside that he can’t sell.

He manages Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore in Sudbury. The thrift shop in the city’s south end focuses on home furnishings and appliances. Profits go to Habitat for Humanity’s charitable efforts to build affordable homes in the area.

He said it’s not unusual for people to leave items outside the store after hours that are in such poor condition that they have to be brought to the local landfill.

“Anything that's dumped, I'd say about 90 per cent of it has to go in the trash and then we have to pay to send it to the dump, which then takes away from the charity,” Barlow said.

Other not-for-profit thrift stores in the area say they face the same problem.

Kari Fabiilli