Louisville cracks down on illegal donation bins tied to crime, dumping and safety risks

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville leaders have begun removing the dozens of illegal donation bins that have popped up around town.

Metro Councilmembers estimate hundreds of these bins exist in Louisville. Councilwoman Crystal Bast said they've found far more than just clothing inside.

"These are being used to toss illegal guns," she said. "They have found dogs inside of these."

Mayor Craig Greenberg hopes to remove them all over the next few weeks. He said the city has cited 22 illegal bins so far this January.

They're getting placed in parking lots with forged permits. Business owners are paying the price.

"When that stuff is set on the streets and the parking lots, it's on the owner to clean that up," Mike Mulrooney, Shirley's Way Founder, said. "These owners are being unfairly held accountable for stuff that they had nothing to do with."

Bast said a woman died in her district last year from climbing inside one.

Spotting a fake donation bin

Many of the bins are generic, with just "shoes and clothing" written on the side. Louisville leaders said the "nonprofits" listed don't exist.

The bins also often have misspelled words and fake or missing contact information. Leaders said they've found everything from clothing to pets inside.

"Here's the part that should concern everyone," Bast said. "In other cities and in other states, these bins have been tied to money laundering, drug cartel drops, and human trafficking. Let that sink in."

Licensed donation bins

Main Source Trading, Inc. is the only company that is licensed to operate donation drop-off bins in Louisville. It has four donation bins:

4920 Poplar Level Road
3165 S. 2nd Street
4501 Outer Loop Road
4801 Outer Loop Road

Greenberg said Metro Codes and Regulations will haul the rest away over the coming days. Many of the bins WDRB discovered in previous reporting are already gone.

"It's a pretty quick operation, so we will bring the equipment out here and get it removed as quickly as possible," Greenberg said. "Our hope is that whoever is behind this will remove these bins themself once they see how serious we are."

WDRB asked Greenberg how much removal would cost the city, but he didn't have an estimate as of Thursday afternoon. We also asked how he would ensure they stayed permanently gone.

"They're being cited," Greenberg said. "If someone wants to come claim them, we'll have some questions for them before they're given back."

At this time, Greenberg said there are no leads on where the bins are coming from. Bast said there's footage of vehicles dropping them off using fake license plate numbers.

Greenberg said the donations inside these illegal bins will go to appropriate charities.

"We definitely want to reinforce please use Shirley's Way, Goodwill, Exodus Ministries -- organizations like this to donate your goods and your things that you're going to give away," D-25 Councilman Khalil Batshon said.

If you see a bin, leaders urge you to report them to Louisville's Department of Codes & Regulations or call MetroSafe at 311.

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