Laval cracks down on for-profit donation boxes

The City of Laval is putting an end to private companies that use donation boxes to collect clothes and sell them at a profit.

• Charities to lobby Quebec municipalities for fairer collection box rules
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In November, council adopted a motion that significantly limits where organizations can place collection boxes — and that is only if the organizations are approved by the city.

Donation bins are no longer allowed on public property in Laval since Nov. 23.

Removing old collection boxes

The city went as far as carting away collection boxes that don't belong to charitable organizations. Two were removed this week by city workers.

Laval councillor Virginie Dufour said there are too many bins and businesses were profiting from them.

"They were selling donated clothes for private profit," said Dufour. "We want to send a strong message."

Under the new rules, collection bins are allowed close to commercial buildings, charitable organizations and government buildings.

The city also reserved 45 spaces specifically for bins.

Charitable groups only

Organizations that wish to use collection boxes to either sell or recuperate clothes for those in need have to adhere to new rules.

The city will only allow charitable groups to have collection bins. 

The organizations must be approved and registered with the City of Laval before they can set up boxes. The collection bins must also serve the purpose of helping Laval residents in need.