Know your Goods from your Not So Goods

The Oxfam Good Goods campaign is getting tough on the items we leave to their charity shops in an effort to reduce the level of unsaleable donations received by the organisation.

They are still saying yes please to donations, but no thanks to the Not so Goods such as broken toys, underwear, unwashed clothes and damaged furniture.

Trevor Anderson, who manages the retail side of Oxfam Ireland, explained the reason for the campaign.

"Not so goods take up valuable space, give our volunteers extra work, create health and safety hazards and cost Oxfam Ireland up to €50,000 in waste disposal charges," he said.

"When the level of goods donated increases, inevitably the level of unsaleable goods also increases, which causes us major problems and costs us money which we urgently need to alleviate poverty overseas."

Responsive public

Trevor is convinced that the public's response to the Tsunami disaster shows that people care more than ever about people in poorer countries.

"We firmly believe that these same people will understand the importance of donating good quality clothing, homewares, books, music and other items that we can sell, helping us make a real difference to poor peoples lives." he added.

Look out for the Good Goods posters leaflets in Oxfam shops which list the type of goods which Oxfam needs most.

Related

Spend to Mend (Guardian)