Trash to treasure: How to find materials on the curb
That stacking plastic bin can cost US$12-$15 in stores. But last night, while driving around, I found three of them on the curbside. The homeowner was throwing them out as trash.
Dumpster diving and its relative activities can be an amazing source of unique and totally free materials for use in everything from art projects to getting yourself organized. Some also suggest that, because it is an activity that reduces the amount of stuff heading for landfills, that it is a green activity.
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Green or not, finding three plastic stackable bins for the low, low price of free means a bit more storage for my yarns and fabrics that I would not have otherwise had the money for right now.
And you never know what you're going to find. I wound up making several trips last night because there were so many great items sitting out for trash pickup. One find, an iron trellis, will be reassembled in my backyard. Another, two hinged doors, will be turned into a room divider after a coat of paint.
The ethics of dumpster diving are a highly individual thing and are rarely dependent on area laws. In the US, dumpster diving is illegal in some states but rarely enforced. Know the laws of your area ahead of time. No curbside find is worth going to jail. Don't be afraid to knock on doors and ask if you find something particularly good that is being thrown out. Many people would much rather someone haul away their discarded items and permission makes all the difference.
Once your ethics are sorted out, start paying attention to when trash pick up is in various neighborhoods. As you drive around town, take note of what days there are trash cans on curbs. Monday is a big trash day in Orlando, so I cruise around on Sunday nights and just keep my eyes open for what people are throwing away. Summer is awesome for this sort of thing because people do a lot of spring cleaning and yard work and remodeling.
I often target the more upscale neighborhoods, as well. They generally throw away a higher class of trash. And college campus dumpsters are fantastic for finding stuff, too, especially at the end of each semester because people are moving and/or going home for the break and don't want to deal with their stuff. Sometimes you find really excellent stuff there.
It can be handy to keep a set of tools in your cargo space. The trellis that I found needed to have four bolts removed before I could fit it in the car. Keep moist towelettes so that you can clean your hands. A first aid kit is also a good idea in case you pinch or scrap yourself.
Finding materials like this depends on luck and creativity. A healthy sense of humor doesn't hurt either.
