Warning over Guernsey charity shop waste charges

Nicky Bellis said it was unfair for people to drop off faulty appliances at her charity shop

A charity shop manager has said the cost of recycling faulty electrical items could "force the shop to close".

A charge for recycling large household appliances was introduced from the start of January by the States of Guernsey.

It is expected to raise £150,000 a year for the government.

Citizens Advice charity shop manager Nicky Bellis said she immediately noticed a change in habits following the introduction of the charge.

"It was instantly recognisable because we did start getting things put on the doorstep," she said.

"I think it's because people have to pay so much for tip charges, they are trying to offload them on a different avenue."

The States said the charge applied to TVs, fridges and other large household appliances

Ms Bellis said people offloading faulty electrical, appliances was upsetting.

"We pay for rent, for heating, for water, we have to pay for everything so obviously all the tip charges on top, we wouldn't be able to stay afloat, we only just manage to make ends meet as it is," she said.

"Last month alone it was over £200 just for one load of stuff... There are so many generous people out there but the ones who would rather give it to us than have to pay, then that makes it demoralising - it's unfair."

The knock-on effect for the charity is a loss in income which helps fund its work.

Alison Vine is a director of the Friends of Citizens' Advice Guernsey

She said: "We would very much like to be a self-funding organisation but at the moment, we are struggling to do that, and these costs are making it even more difficult to do that."

'Inspect items'

Operations manager for Guernsey Waste, Sarah Robinson, said the new charges at the Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC) were intended to reduce Guernsey Waste's requirement for taxpayer funding and she said charities were still able to use the HWRC in the same way as households, which includes free drop off for many items that can be recycled.

Ms Robinson added: "Guernsey Waste would ask islanders to be mindful that for items that households are charged to drop off at the HWRC, charities also have to pay.

"They should therefore ensure to only donate items that are in good condition and only drop off items at the times that each charity specifies, so they have the opportunity to inspect items and ensure they are suitable for sale."

Follow BBC Guernsey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].