2018 Missouri Revised Statutes
Title XXVI - Trade and Commerce
Chapter 407 - Merchandising Practices
Section 407.485 Unwanted household items, collection of deemed unfair business practice, when — receptacles, requirements.

Effective 28 Aug 2018

Title XXVI TRADE AND COMMERCE

407.485. Unwanted household items, collection of deemed unfair business practice, when — receptacles, requirements. — 1. It shall be an unfair business practice in violation of section 407.020 for a for-profit entity or natural person to collect unwanted household items via a public receptacle and resell the deposited items for profit unless the deposited item receptacle prominently displays a statement in bold letters at least two inches high and two inches wide stating: "DEPOSITED ITEMS ARE NOT FOR CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS AND WILL BE RESOLD FOR PROFIT. DEPOSITED ITEMS ARE NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE.".

2. It shall be an unfair business practice in violation of section 407.020 for a for-profit entity or natural person to collect donations of unwanted household items via a public receptacle and resell the donated items where some or all of the proceeds from the sale are directly given to a not-for-profit entity unless the donation receptacle prominently displays a statement in bold letters at least two inches high and two inches wide stating: "DONATIONS TO THE FOR-PROFIT COMPANY: (name of the company) ARE SOLD FOR PROFIT AND (% of proceeds donated to the not-for-profit) % OF ALL PROCEEDS ARE DONATED TO (name of the nonprofit beneficiary organization's name).".

3. It shall be an unfair business practice in violation of section 407.020 for a for-profit entity or natural person to collect donations of unwanted household items via a public receptacle and resell the donated items, where such for-profit entity is paid a flat fee, not contingent upon the proceeds generated by the sale of the collected goods, and one hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of the items are given directly to the not-for-profit, unless the donation receptacle prominently displays a statement in bold letters at least two inches high and two inches wide stating: "THIS DONATION RECEPTACLE IS OPERATED BY THE FOR-PROFIT ENTITY: (name of the for-profit/individual) ON BEHALF OF (name of the nonprofit beneficiary organization's name).".

4. It shall be an unfair business practice in violation of section 407.020 for a not-for-profit entity to collect donations of unwanted household items via a public receptacle and resell the donated items unless the donation receptacle prominently displays a statement in bold letters at least two inches high and two inches wide stating: "THIS RECEPTACLE IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITY: (name of the not-for-profit/charity) AND (% of proceeds donated to the not-for-profit) % OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF ANY DONATIONS SHALL BE USED FOR THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF (charity name/charitable cause).".

5. The term "bold letters" as used in subsections 1, 2, and 3 of this section shall mean a primary color on a white background so as to be clearly visible to the public.

6. Nothing in this section shall apply to paper, glass, or aluminum products that are donated for the purpose of being recycled in the manufacture of other products.

7. All receptacles described in this section shall conspicuously display the name, address, and telephone number of the owner and operator of the receptacle. The owner or operator of the receptacle shall maintain permission to place the receptacle on the property from the property owner or his or her agent where the receptacle is located. Such permission shall be in writing and clearly identify the owner of the receptacle and property owner or his or her agent in addition to the nature of the collections and where proceeds will be accrued. Failure to secure such permission shall constitute an unfair business practice in addition to any other statutory conditions. Unless otherwise agreed upon in writing, the property owner or his or her agent may remove the receptacle. Any charges incurred in such removal shall be the responsibility of the owner of the receptacle. Unless the receptacle owner pays such charges within thirty calendar days of the sending of a written certified letter from the property owner stating his or her intent to remove the receptacle, the receptacle owner shall relinquish any right to the receptacle. If the receptacle does not conspicuously display the name, address, and telephone number of the owner and operator of the receptacle, the receptacle shall be considered abandoned property and may be destroyed or permanently possessed by the property owner or their agent.

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(L. 2007 S.B. 384, A.L. 2009 H.B. 698, A.L. 2013 S.B. 157 and S.B. 102, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1298 Revision, A.L. 2018 S.B. 975 & 1024 Revision)