Ok. Let me just start by saying I am NOT a "dumpster diver." Trash is gross, and dirty, and germy. It would not be an overstatement to say I am actually afraid of other people's trash.
But other people's recycling? That's another story.
Ok, wait. Let me clarify. I do not go around the neighborhood on recycling night rummaging through people's recycling bins. That would be classified as "trash" for me.
But recycling centers? Where people just drop off perfectly good stuff because they don't want to try to sell it and they are sick of looking at it? You might, on some occasions, if it's nice outside and I have nothing else to do and I was passing the recycling center anyway and we just happen to have the truck with the big empty bed and the moon is in Pisces, see me browsing around there.
Before you scrunch up your nose, look at what we've gotten:
- lots of great books (which we read)
- jogging stroller (we de-rusted it and sold it)
- ten-speed bike (which we sold at a yard sale)
- scrap metal (which we sold at the scrap metal place)
- a number of grills in rough shape (which we sold for scrap)
- a wood side table (which we use for camping)
- outdoor camping stove (we de-rusted it and painted it and use it often)
- working professional keyboard (which we sold for $175)
There have been tons of other items, too, that we might have picked up if either of us were handier and could fix stuff up. I do have my own rules, like nothing upholstered, nothing that once contained food, nothing that appears to have once housed wild animal squatters, nothing that appears even remotely water damaged (because of potential mold, which I am terrified of). There are others, which I make up as I go.
Tips for hitting up recycle centers?
- Don't hover. No one likes that person who offers to help you unload your car, and you think, "aw, how nice," until you realize they're shopping. Those people are creepy.
- Keep an open mind. Look for the potential in items, not the reality. That said, if you have to think too hard about how to fix something up, it's probably not worth it.
- Bring bungee cords and/or rope for transporting. You might even bring a moving blanket, in case you get extra lucky and find that priceless antique someone has recycled!
- Be willing to leave empty handed. This isn't a bad thing; you are no worse off than when you arrived. If you take something just to take something, chances are awesome that you'll end up dropping it off at that same recycling center six months later.
- Time it right. Our recycling center is only open the first Saturday of each month for drop-offs. If we go too early, there'll be nothing there; if we go too late, there'll be nothing left. You might even drop by a couple times to see if the "inventory" has changed any. Just don't... well, see #1. Please.
- Be selective, a.k.a. don't be greedy. Share the wealth. Take only what you really will use or fix up and sell, and limit yourself to a few choice items so others can also benefit.
Think of it as a big swap meet, but the tables are unattended. Still scared? How about this idea in a kinder, gentler format? Check out my post on Freecycling here.
Either way, with a little patience, a creative mind, and a good attitude, you might find that you come away from that old recycling center with a real treasure!! Good luck hunting!