Question for the Urbanists About The Collection Box Portents

[SWMAP]

In my neighborhood in SW Detroit, big steel collection boxes [[clothes and shoes) appear to be reproducing a-sexually. One from Planet Aid [[a VERY questionable operation on the charity watch list and run by bad actors) will rapidly be joined by a box from the Cancer Federation or the Red Cross.

There are dozens, usually on empty lots in close proximity to doubles on the very next empty lot. They have multiplied on West Vernor and Michigan Ave. and Junction Ave.

They are big graffiti- magnets.

There couldn't possibly be enough donors in SW Detroit to make these dozens of boxes rewarding. Most people in SW Detroit run their own yard sales week after week and THEY collect clothes to sell from everyone they know.

I know there is an international rag trade - but SW Detroit doesn't seem to be a very good collection point. As well, I don't see these in Dearborn or in other more affluent communities where second-hand clothes and shoes might be more available.

Does anyone know what's really going on? Any ideas on what City department can regulate the accumulation of these dubious drop-off boxes.

[SWMAP]

I should have looked this topic up - there's a lot of comment in other cities:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/07/ny...=nyregion&_r=2

[Shai_Hulud]

As noted, they're an eyesore and deceptive.

Apparently, they're also too heavy for our average scrapper.

[gvidas]

Business opportunity:

Get a truck and a dude and a cutting torch. Contact the business owners whose properties the bins are on, maybe offering them a nice pamphlet explaining how the "donation" companies are just hustling. If the business owner didn't consent to the bin being placed, it's basically illegal dumping, so pick it up for free and offer to sell it back to the original bin owner. If they decline, or can't be reached, then cut it up and scrap it.

[DetroiterOnTheWestCoast]

Business opportunity:

Get a truck and a dude and a cutting torch. Contact the business owners whose properties the bins are on, maybe offering them a nice pamphlet explaining how the "donation" companies are just hustling. If the business owner didn't consent to the bin being placed, it's basically illegal dumping, so pick it up for free and offer to sell it back to the original bin owner. If they decline, or can't be reached, then cut it up and scrap it.

And the city should promptly impound any bin on public property.