San Jose planning crackdown on hundreds of illegitimate donation bins around city

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- San Jose is planning a crackdown on hundreds of illegitimate donation bins in parking lots across the city.

Drive around San Jose, and you'll notice them seemingly everywhere. These massive donation bins are scattered in parking lots all over the city. But local officials say there's just one problem: most of them are not permitted.

"I thought they were legitimate, so it does surprise me that they're not," said Vivian Cohen.

San Jose City Councilmember Michael Mulcahy says there could be as many as 300 illegitimate bins in the city.

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Many of them lack permits and are not actually connected to local charities.

Mulcahy says many of the companies that run these bins don't give donations to those in need but instead resell the items they collect.

Mulcahy says that's taking away resources from groups that actually serve the community.

"We know that these bins are on our streets illegally and our city should have the right, without even a question, to remove them," he said.

The councilmember says that if you want to make sure your donations go to a legitimate nonprofit, the best thing you can do is take your items to a bin run by an organization like Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

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The city says it's working to crack down on the problem as soon as possible. But with new bins popping up each week, officials can't solve it on their own.

"We're asking people in San Jose to send an email todistrictsix@sanjoseca.gov. Send us a photo and an address and let us know where they are," Mulcahy said.

And while it may take time for San Jose to get the unpermitted bins off the streets, the people we spoke with say it's an effort they fully support.

"Absolutely, why not? Because why have stuff just thrown everywhere in random parking lots? It doesn't make anyone feel good when they drive by it," said Kristen Harris.