It’s been said that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, but in some cases one man’s trash is another’s headache.

This is the case at the St. Vincent de Paul Society Thrift Store at the Greater Butler Mart, where some people have taken to leaving unwanted items at times that are not within the organization’s business hours.

While some might give the benefit of the doubt to those leaving the items, the society’s director of services, Lisa Slupe, said illegal dumpers are intentionally parking in the blind spot of cameras behind the building during after hours and leaving items that are often stained, smelly or unsalable — and they become more so if it rains overnight.

While it’s always good to donate usable items that one no longer needs, Slupe said the dumpers are not motivated by charity, but instead want to avoid garbage fees.

This scenario made us recall an editorial earlier this month in which we praised the Allegheny Aquatic Alliance, which conducted a cleanup at Connoquenessing Creek, where it removed more than 300 tires and a dumpster load of trash.

The people who polluted that waterway are similar to those — at least most of them — who are leaving unwanted items outside of the thrift store. They know they’re not supposed to be doing it, and they’re choosing the easy way, rather than being responsible.

The thrift store has signs posted to alert visitors to its hours — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday — as well as warnings not to leave items on the sidewalk after hours.

And the amount of dumping has increased during COVID-19, leaving the society to foot the bill. Over the past two months alone, the society has paid $7,000 in dumpster fees.

“The expense of the garbage is outrageous,” store manager Amy Watson said. “We can’t continue. It’s thousands of dollars.”

By no means are we suggesting that people shouldn’t donate items. Donations are what keep the thrift store going, and there are people in the community who benefit from them. But most people know what would be suitable to donate.

If there’s an item in your home that you want to dispose of quickly — and not because it’s being replaced by a newer model — it’s likely because it’s of no use to you. It’s also likely of no use to anyone else.

So, we ask county residents to continue donating items — during business hours — to the thrift store. But the building’s exterior is not your personal garbage can. If there’s an item of which you need to dispose, do it the proper way.

— NCD