❤ mollymouser ❤
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Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on Sept 9, 2014 15:05:00 GMT -5
CONFESSION: I've suddently become a dumpster diver, lol! I was biking around my neighborhood this morning (it's trash day) and I saw the niftiest wicker basket on top of someone's trash in their open trash can. I biked and looked ... and then circled back. To my wonderful DH's dismay, I dusted it off, shook it off, and tucked it in my bike basket (sticking out) and happily rode home with it! SCORE! The cat rescue has a big fundraiser coming up Nov 1 and we make up a lot of gift baskets for the silent auction with things people have donated, and this basket will be wonderful! ( I did put it in the sunshine and sprayed Lysol on it when I got home.) My wonderful DH is half-amused, half-horrified! (Please tell me I'm not the only one to do something like this ....)
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Sept 9, 2014 15:25:39 GMT -5
Mollymouser <- You are the only one who have ever done this. But we want pictures....no pictures no proof!
OTOH, I have a good friend in Florida who for a couple of years worked at the check-in counter so to speak at a local storage unit. Good Golly Miss Molly, the stuff she found.
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Artemis Windsong
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Post by Artemis Windsong on Sept 9, 2014 16:01:56 GMT -5
In our berg, the stuff left on the boulevard for the trash guys BELONGS TO THE CITY AND IT'S THEFT TO TAKE IT? Buzzkillers. Our town has a pick up clean up week so loads of stuff gets put out. The one this past spring is when the city made dibs on all the junk. Some people will put something out and put free on it. Our neighbor had a chest freezer. Nearly brand new and DH passed on it.
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Peace Of Mind
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Sept 9, 2014 16:14:34 GMT -5
CONFESSION: I've suddently become a dumpster diver, lol! I was biking around my neighborhood this morning (it's trash day) and I saw the niftiest wicker basket on top of someone's trash in their open trash can. I biked and looked ... and then circled back. To my wonderful DH's dismay, I dusted it off, shook it off, and tucked it in my bike basket (sticking out) and happily rode home with it! SCORE! The cat rescue has a big fundraiser coming up Nov 1 and we make up a lot of gift baskets for the silent auction with things people have donated, and this basket will be wonderful! ( I did put it in the sunshine and sprayed Lysol on it when I got home.) My wonderful DH is half-amused, half-horrified! (Please tell me I'm not the only one to do something like this ....) Since you didn't actually go inside a dumpster (yet) you are good. This would qualify more as a finder's keeper's deal. But keep us posted and ask your DH to take photos when the real diving occurs!
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Sept 9, 2014 16:18:46 GMT -5
I purposely put stuff out for people to take otherwise it goes into the landfill. I even call around and let the neighbors know, so if they want it they know when to pick it up.
There's already dibs called on some of my stuff.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Sept 9, 2014 16:19:38 GMT -5
Not nearly as great a treasure as a wicker basket, but one time during a past spring season, I was at Home Depot and noticed a truck delivering fresh potted herbs to be sold at the store. In the mean time, the truck driver was throwing away potted herbs in a dumpster that looked like they had seen better days. I asked the truck driver if he would mind me taking the thrown away herbs. He said he did not mind at all. So I took about a dozen of the plants from the dumpster, took them home and they went right into my garden and thrived.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Sept 9, 2014 16:22:32 GMT -5
Recycling at it's best. Better to be used again then to go into a landfill. One of my most prized possessions is a sturdy wood desk chair my Grandfather rescued from a Chicago alley. He tightened it up and refinished it. If the big one ever hits I'm diving for cover under that thing .
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Sept 9, 2014 16:23:17 GMT -5
I purposely put stuff out for people to take otherwise it goes into the landfill. I even call around and let the neighbors know, so if they want it they know when to pick it up.
There's already dibs called on some of my stuff.
During early mornings days when trash pickup is scheduled, some folks drive around in trucks looking at the stuff that is to be thrown out. They usually do not look in side our trash cans but what is to the side of them. I have purposely put out a number of things that are useful (just not to me anymore) the night before trash pickup and they are gone by the time the sun rises. Win-win for all of us.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Sept 9, 2014 17:00:04 GMT -5
I've got the "trash belongs to the city" rule going on too... BUT, for the most part it's ignored. I suspect the rule gets used when an unscrupulous 'trash picker' actually dumps the recycle bins - picks out the metal cans and then leaves an over turned bin and a mess of plastic and paper while going to the next house's bin to repeat the procedure. I like to think that the unspoke homeowner etiquette of putting potentially useful stuff ON TOP OF or NEXT TO the trash bins - usually displayed nicely and easy to take is so that if anyone feels they'd like the stuff they can take it - without making a mess or opening up the trash bin. People leave out all sorts of nicely arranged things on Trash Day - and the Scrap Metal Man picks it up, or any other number of scavengers come and take the nice stuff. Anything that's left gets picked up by the City. I put out an old 80's era stereo cabinet on Trash Day -- no one wanted it and it went to the landfill. Which is ok, atleast it had a chance at being 'recycled'. No fuss, no muss. The only time I have a problem with the 'trash pickers' is when they leave a mess that I have to clean up.
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ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Sept 9, 2014 17:05:46 GMT -5
Who knew Molly the crazy cat lady would turn into the eccentric dumpster diva.
I've also left things out beside my trash container the night before trash pickup day. One night not that long ago, the house next door had their stuff already out to the curb when I was in the process of taking out mine. On top of one of their trash bags, was a large (looked like new) Tupperware container with lid. Needless to say, It got snagged by me (yes, it was dark out at the time). I brought in and thoroughly cleaned, scrubbed & sanitized it - several times.
It's now happily being used as a storing container for some of my art supplies.
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❤ mollymouser ❤
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Sarcasm is my Superpower
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Today's Mood: Gen X ... so I'm sarcastic and annoyed
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Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on Sept 9, 2014 20:37:30 GMT -5
Locally, there's an ordinance that says that the contents of the recycling bin (separate from the trash bin) and all "glass, plastic and aluminum recyclables" become the property of the City once placed at the curb for pickup by the homeowner. The basket wasn't in the recycling bin and it isn't a glass, plastic or aluminum recyclable." And the homeowner left the lid to the trash open, with the wicker basket placed on top ... it was practically an invitation.
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kadee79
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Post by kadee79 on Sept 9, 2014 21:05:48 GMT -5
Molly, if it wasn't for the price of postage, I have a whole stack of wicker baskets I could/would send you! I need to clean them out!
I would definitely call that an "invitation" for someone to use that basket...it's going to a good cause! I have 6 cats...due to a neighbor who feeds feral cats but doesn't have them "fixed"....all of ours are fixed!
There are some cities/towns that have days that are "curb" days. People who have things they no long want put them by the curb and folks needing things drive around and pick up what they can use. Then the following day the trash man comes & gets what is left.
And just so ya know, we used to have real DUMPSTERS out here in the country. We all had to haul our cans or bags and them in ourselves and the big dumpster got emptied once a week. Well, I've crawled part way into a couple of them when someone threw perfectly good chairs and things into them! Those got recycled! I sometimes don't understand why people would rather throw something out than donate it. Women's/children's shelters can always use everything. Most battered women leave with only the clothes on their backs and when they are ready to set up house again on their own, they have nothing....so ALL household items can be used!, and so can decent work clothes!....and even kids clothes, books & toys....since all that may have been left behind.
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haapai
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Post by haapai on Sept 10, 2014 6:10:42 GMT -5
You're not the only trash-picker here. It's a rare Friday that I come back from walking the dog without something.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Sept 10, 2014 6:11:04 GMT -5
Uh oh. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, lol. See you in 5 yrs for an episode of Hoarders! lol
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Sept 10, 2014 6:44:30 GMT -5
If I've got something in decent shape, I'll try to leave it in a sort of clean garbage can, if that makes sense. So on the ground next to my garbage cart or on top of the lid. As opposed to filling it with yucky food.
And does your cat shelter do anything to suggest that people give the empty baskets back? I'm not a basket person so I happily volunteered baskets from previous auction wins back to my church for them to rebuild baskets for the next auction.
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Sept 10, 2014 9:17:25 GMT -5
We got a recliner for DS this summer. He was moving into unfurnished college apartment. One day driving down the street, saw a neighbor had put out 3 recliners. Turned around and got my son and my truck and picked up the best of the 3. Neighbor saw us and waved, so know that he was good with it. Cleaned it up at home and son took to college in August!
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Sept 10, 2014 9:33:51 GMT -5
We got a recliner for DS this summer. He was moving into unfurnished college apartment. One day driving down the street, saw a neighbor had put out 3 recliners. Turned around and got my son and my truck and picked up the best of the 3. Neighbor saw us and waved, so know that he was good with it. Cleaned it up at home and son took to college in August! 'Cha-Ching' (the sound of money being saved).
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mollyanna58
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Post by mollyanna58 on Sept 10, 2014 9:59:26 GMT -5
One of the businesses in our building was clearing out their basement and remodeling, and had a big, walk-in dumpster to haul everything away. Right on top were several bundles of flat, unused small corregated boxes. I took them and have been using them for Ebay sales.
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Sept 10, 2014 13:30:30 GMT -5
In our old area of town, someone is always getting evicted. Large piles of things set out to the curbs. One summer I collected all that I could reasonably resell, took it home & cleaned it up a bit, and put it in my garage sale. Made $250 off of other people's trash I really wish I still had that rocking chair though. Should have kept that.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Sept 10, 2014 20:51:10 GMT -5
I lived in a university town for 35 years. During move out days, you could get some really good stuff that the kids just left on the curb.
My town is too small to get much interest in anything left on the curb, but stuff disappears if you make it known it's out there and free.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2014 18:00:16 GMT -5
I lived in a university town for 35 years. During move out days, you could get some really good stuff that the kids just left on the curb. My town is too small to get much interest in anything left on the curb, but stuff disappears if you make it known it's out there and free. We used to live in a college town in between 2 other college towns so the pickings can get pretty good. As DH and I used to call it, Monday nights were "curbside shopping" nights. Made a few pretty good finds. Got a nice mirror, a couch and a bunch of other stuff. Of course, had to unload all that stuff when we moved into a smaller house. Fine with me. Actually, made money selling the mirror, sawed the couch in half to get it out (long story) and donated the rest of the stuff.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Sept 12, 2014 14:30:05 GMT -5
One of my friends found an iMac at her own apartment complex and it worked!
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donnafreedman
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Post by donnafreedman on Sept 12, 2014 22:04:49 GMT -5
I'm more of a Dumpster wader, myself, but have come up with some pretty fun stuff: donnafreedman.com/2011/07/06/dumpster-wading/Today at the recycling center I found about a dozen discarded adding-machine paper rolls. (Wow, old-school, huh?) I rescued them for my niece, a teacher. I know she does a paper-making project with her first-graders, and this is clean paper that would make nice pulp. Or maybe she'll put up long strips of the stuff and let them write on it or draw pictures. As for picking stuff up on corners, my best find was....ice cream bars?!? donnafreedman.com/2012/01/17/the-day-i-saved-heckboy/Incidentally, I've heard the trash-day stuff referred to as "Curb Mart." Hee hee.
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Opti
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Post by Opti on Sept 12, 2014 22:59:52 GMT -5
CONFESSION: I've suddently become a dumpster diver, lol! I was biking around my neighborhood this morning (it's trash day) and I saw the niftiest wicker basket on top of someone's trash in their open trash can. I biked and looked ... and then circled back. To my wonderful DH's dismay, I dusted it off, shook it off, and tucked it in my bike basket (sticking out) and happily rode home with it! SCORE! The cat rescue has a big fundraiser coming up Nov 1 and we make up a lot of gift baskets for the silent auction with things people have donated, and this basket will be wonderful! ( I did put it in the sunshine and sprayed Lysol on it when I got home.) My wonderful DH is half-amused, half-horrified! (Please tell me I'm not the only one to do something like this ....) Since you didn't actually go inside a dumpster (yet) you are good. This would qualify more as a finder's keeper's deal. But keep us posted and ask your DH to take photos when the real diving occurs! Yes, I'll have to say the thread is a let down....
Here I was expecting some good tips in the art of dumpster skimming(i.e. its only diving if you get dirty or can't easily grab it from the top...) Yeah that's my version even though so far I've only dumpster skimmed for coupons and grocery sale flyers. No pictures. My circa 2004 Virgin Mobile phone is before the cameras became mostly ubiquitoius.
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on Sept 13, 2014 6:29:59 GMT -5
WAAAY back in 2001 late DH found a fairly recent Gateway desk top computer & tower in the dumpster at work. For safety he replaced the hard drive. I just replaced the computer w/another Gateway in 2012.
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Sept 15, 2014 12:34:14 GMT -5
We do this all the time. My neighbor put out a wicker full headboard and bookcase this weekend and mentioned to DH he hoped someone would take them before trash day. I immediately called DSD and she needed the bookcase for DGS's room. She called me back a few minutes later and told me to go get the headboard too since a friend of hers needed one for her daughter's bedroom.
I once found a cedar closet on the curb near my house. It was really dirty and icky looking but when we cleaned it off, sanded it and put a coat of finish on it, it turned out really nice. DH put some shelves in it and we've used it for a pantry closet for years.
Recently a neighbor put a swing out on his curb. It's a little rickety, but DH is going to tighten it up and paint it. It'll go on our front porch once he finishes it.
I've gotten stuff out of dumpsters at work when they had a clean-out day for the building and I saw several desks, chairs and tons of other stuff. I got a desk and office chair, printer stand and some other stuff I don't remember now.
I like to look in dumpsters if I see stuff in them that I can use. I don't actually jump in them, but do peek in and pull out anything that looks usable.
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