Rules on collection bags

MothballsWallet

Hi folks,

I was wondering what the rules are regarding these charities who put collection bags through your door?

I've asked the Charities Commission, but they're being their usual kind of vague and (they think they're) helpful selves, so I thought I'd ask the wise peeps on MSE.

Many thanks,

MothballsWallet

elsien

Does this help?
http://www.charitybags.org.uk/law_on_house-to-house_collections.shtml

Mojisola

MothballsWallet wrote: »

I was wondering what the rules are regarding these charities who put collection bags through your door?

Read the stuff on them carefully - a lot aren't from charities but businesses who collect stuff for free and sell it on.

MothballsWallet

Thank you, elsien - it's a shame the Charities Commission can't hold that info on their site as well, but that means they'd have to do some work

ETA: I can't believe there are 6 pages of exempted organisations!

MothballsWallet

Mojisola wrote: »

Read the stuff on them carefully - a lot aren't from charities but businesses who collect stuff for free and sell it on.

I know - I need to get my local council to stop authorising one Lithuania-based "charity" to collect when I told them 5 years ago I don't want the bags.

Their agent in the UK doesn't give a crap about it either, they keep ignoring me.

kerri_gt

I love getting those charity bags, though we don't seem to get as many as we used to....saves me a fortune on black bags, and very handy for putting stuff in to take to a genuine charity shop

hollydays

They have to have a licence to collect. You can check if they have.

antrobus

MothballsWallet wrote: »

...I've asked the Charities Commission, but they're being their usual kind of vague and (they think they're) helpful selves, so I thought I'd ask the wise peeps on MSE....

Asking the Charity Commission for guidance on charity law, would be like asking Companies House for guidance on company law. They can answer questions about registration requirements, because that's what they are there for, but neither organisation employ banks of lawyers to answer random questions from the public.:)

michellecanon8

I didn't even know there were these rules lol but it pretty much makes sense though

wymondham

I give to local charities up the road and use the bags for bin liners - luckily I get several a week!

Catssquirrel

Bags at retail are now charged, why are dodgy charities exempt ?