You most likely have noticed the deluge of metal collection boxes along our streets in recent weeks. These clothing/shoe donation bins are illegal if placed along public sidewalks and none of them are for legitimate charities. They frequently attract graffiti and dumping and are themselves eyesores. Here’s what you can do to help make them go away. Report them via 311 or this link: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dsny/html/contact/request_collectionbinremoval.shtml. Sanitation will tag the box – usually within 48 hours – for removal and notify the owner. After 30 days, the bin is removed by the City if the owner does not comply. And please do not put items in them. There are plenty of legitimate charities that will take your unwanted gently used clothing, including local nursing homes. And from them you will get a tax deduction that you will not get from depositing your items in the bins.