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The new CharityBo operating model: honestly, step by step

From 15 August 2026, CharityBo is changing how the deposit from pickups is split. Before, 50% always went to the charity. Now: the pickup first covers its own trip (~ 30 €), and everything above that goes to the charity, until the split reaches the usual 50/50. Whatever happens, at least 5% of the deposit always goes to the charity. The deposit doesn't change. Below — why we're doing this and what it means for you.

Why we're changing the model

For four years, the rule was simple: 50% of the deposit to the charity, always. It sounds good. But in practice, on small pickups, that 50% didn't even cover the cost of the trip — and CharityBo made up the difference itself.
For all four years, we covered that difference out of our own pocket — CharityBo has no donors and no sponsors. We deliberately carried it for as long as we could. But you can't run like that indefinitely: the pocket isn't bottomless, and the service lives solely on the commission from pickups. It's better now to recalculate the model so the service can run for years to come — rather than quietly shut down. We chose an honest figure over a nice one that didn't add up.

How the new model works

It's simple: First, the pickup covers its own trip (~30 €). Everything above that goes to the charity, until its share reaches half the pickup — then it's an even 50/50.
At least 5% of the deposit always goes to the charity, even when the pickup doesn't cover its own cost.
That 30 € isn't profit, but the cost of a single trip:
  • the driver's wages and tax
  • fuel
  • vehicle maintenance
  • bags and boxes
  • insurance for driver and transport
The more you collect for a single pickup, the more goes to the charity:
  • 1 bag (≈ 20 €): ≈ 1 €, the guaranteed 5% minimum — a pickup this small doesn't even cover the trip
  • 2 bags (≈ 40 €): ≈ 10 € — everything collected above the trip goes to the charity
  • 3 bags (≈ 60 €): ≈ 30 € — a full 50/50, as before
The takeaway: collect 3 bags per pickup and you're back to the old 50/50. With 2 bags the trip pays for itself and everything above it goes to the charity, so that's the sensible minimum.

How to order a pickup

From 15 August 2026, there's nothing new to learn — it's all in the same place as before:
  1. Log in to your account on the CharityBo platform
  2. Open the calendar page
  3. Choose a day that suits you and book the pickup
The only difference: a pickup is now booked manually, once you've collected enough (automatic pickups are switched off). This is exactly what lets you order a pickup when it's genuinely full.

F.A.Q.

Why does the charity sometimes receive less than before?
It has always been this way — it just wasn't visible before. On small pickups, the 50% didn't even cover the trip, and we paid the difference. Now the model shows the real numbers: the trip pays for itself first, and everything above that goes to the charity — until it reaches a full half at 3 bags. And whatever the size of the pickup, at least 5% of the deposit always goes to the charity. Collect 3 bags, and you're back to 50/50.
Has the deposit amount changed?
No. The deposit stays the same. We're only changing how it's split.
Has it become more difficult for me?
No. You still never handle the containers. The only difference is that you now order the pickup yourself, when you're ready, rather than on a schedule.
How much should I collect for the maximum to go to the charity?
From 3 bags (≈ 60 €) the split is a full 50/50, and it stays 50/50 however much you collect above that — so the more you hand over in one pickup, the more the charity gets. 3 bags is the point where you're back to the old model; 2 bags is the sensible minimum.
What if I have very little collected — can I still order a pickup?
You can, and we'll come. But we'd ask you to wait if you can: with just one bag the pickup doesn't even cover the trip, and the charity gets only the guaranteed 5% minimum. From 2 bags the trip pays for itself and everything above it goes to the charity. 3 bags bring you back to a full 50/50.
We always hand over a lot (3+ bags) — does this affect us?
No. You already pass the threshold, and the full 50/50 stays in place for you. The only difference is that each pickup is now booked manually (many of you already did exactly that).
What happens to my regular pickups?
From 15 August 2026, automatic pickups are switched off. If you had a regular pickup set up, we'll contact you personally, and we'll keep your next pickup as a one-off. You won't lose anything. After that, pickups are booked manually, once you've collected enough.
Has CharityBo taken on sponsors?
No. The service still rests solely on the commission from pickups.

What's next

The change to the commission model is the key one in how CharityBo works. But it's not the last. There are still a few more rounds ahead — less drastic ones. They'll be about optimising pickups (days, times, routes), to bring down the cost of a trip and make the service more convenient. We'll tell you about every improvement as it appears.
Thank you for being with us.