Phoenix taking applications for donation-bin permits
Applications for a permit allowing use of a charitable drop box in Phoenix became available Monday.
A Phoenix ordinance requiring the permit takes effect Jan. 1.
The City Council approved regulations in October that require box owners to apply for a permit, seek consent of property owners to place a box, pay $135 the first year and a $25 annual renewal fee for each box.
Alan Stephenson, the Phoenix Planning and Development Department’s acting director, said application forms are available on the second floor of City Hall.
How quickly the per- mits will be approved depends on how many applications the city receives, he said.
“We will try to get them reviewed as soon as possible,” Stephenson said. “Typically, it takes seven to 14 days to review them.”
Some owners of drop boxes had said they would be willing to experience the application process before they made decisions to stay in Phoenix or leave.
“I think all the bin operators are looking forward to putting their boxes out with a permit,” said Kristin Greene, who represents American Textile Recycling Services. “Until we start going through the process, that’s when we will get a better idea of how it’s working.”
Greene had said many box owners had tired of the year-old debate.
Those who support the ordinance said it is intended to curtail irresponsible use of donation-collection boxes, which have proliferated in parking lots all over Phoenix.
That proliferation upset some neighbors and property owners.
Opponents of the per- mit requirement said the fee was too high and will be a burden on charities that rely on the bins.
Some argued the law was intended to drive business to Goodwill Industries of Central Arizona, which does not use drop boxes and has been involved throughout the process of creating the ordinance.
Some box owners said they have not packed up and left the city just yet.
Jim Kaiser, CEO and co-founder of Charity Recycling Solutions, owns 248 bins statewide. Of that number, 70 are in Phoenix.
Kaiser plans to remove 50 bins and keep 20 in Phoenix because he signed contracts with management properties, which allow him to place bins and collect clothing on their property.
“I really don’t see myself staying in Phoenix,” Kaiser said. “I, however, will apply for permits in the areas where I have annual contracts. And (I) probably will move most of the bins to other cities and other states where recycling and charity funding are more accepted.”
Bins cost about $1,000 each, he said.
Kaiser said Tempe approved a similar ordinance for bin operators in May.
There are no bins left in Tempe, and Kaiser said he suspected the same thing would happen in Phoenix.