Western District Employment Access (WDEA) has a number of collection bins throughout the city.

Items donated provide employment opportunities to eight people with a disability and three support workers.

However, an increasing number of people are dumping waste and other inappropriate items in and around the hubs.

SCR Group spokeswoman Alexis Todorovski said the issue was a huge concern.

"The issue is growing at a rapid rate and we are not only experiencing issues of dumping outside the hubs - we are now starting to see more waste inside the hubs," Ms Todorovski said.

"This results in increased costs which are not financially viable to maintain long-term."

Ms Todorovski said increased waste in and around the hubs had resulted in three being removed from Warrnambool in the past three months.

WDEA's social enterprises director Jack Melican said it was disappointing.

He said 95 per cent of people were extremely generous and their donations were greatly appreciated.

"It's just disappointing that a few people do the wrong thing," he said.

Ms Todorovski said the dumping and waste placed extra financial strain on WDEA.

"The costs come from cleaning up the waste and disposing of it," she said.

"The waste inside the hubs also contaminates the good quality clothing dropped off by residents, which needs to be picked out and devalues what is collected."

Ms Todorovski said items that could be placed in the hubs included wearable clothes, shoes and handbags in good condition.

"We ask the community to place all their clothes inside the clothing hub chute and not leave anything beside the hub," she said.

"Dumping anything beside clothing hubs is illegal and will attract thieves."

Ms Todorovski said household items such as kitchenware, battery operated items, toys, books, doonas and pillows were not accepted.

"We also do not accept Christmas decorations and Christmas trees," she said.

"There are many more responsible ways to dispose of your larger unwanted items and residents can contact their local council to find out how."

Ms Todorovski said it was hoped the waste would not increase in the coming weeks as people cleaned up after Christmas.

She said data released by the National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations showed the cost of people dumping illegally or donating unusable items cost Australian charities more than $18 million a year.

Ms Todorovski said the majority of dumping occurred during holiday breaks such as Christmas, New Year and Easter.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.