Dumpster diving - The Collectors Newsletter #53

[erthlng]

Dumpster diving.
This reader discovered just how tantalizing the contents of
a garbage dumpster can be. After reading the story, I'd enjoy
hearing your comments on the ethics of taking another persons
garbage, without asking them. Some people feel very strongly that
if they throw something away, it should go to the dump, not into another
persons home. What do you think?
--

I have read the story about the Polish artist, boat-in-the-harbor
painting which was purchased at an auction for $5, but worth much
more. The story awakened a sinking feeling in the depths of my
stomach, which I had the pleasure (not!) to experience last week.
My story, unfortunately does not have a "happy" ending, but it
may interest those who may have experienced a "would of ",
"could of " , "should have !! " .Most of my 'woulda-coulda-shoulda'
feelings of remorse comes from not bidding higher on an auction
item and losing the bid on something I really, really wanted because
I chickened out. But this is not the case here, which I will explain:

In my town we have to take our trash to the local dump ourselves.
There are large dumpster bins which are below a railing, where
you fling in your trash. Being the treasure hunter that I am, I
cannot resist a peek at the items being discarded. (You would
not believe what people throw away!) As I peek into the bins,
the snarls of my significant other is enough to make me walk away
bare-handed without a peep. This one particular day was
different... I spotted an oil painting of a ship on the water, which
lay under a small mound of trash. I could see a good portion of
the lower left corner, the bow of the ship on the water with
detailed painted ropes, done by an intricate hand. I leaned into
the bin, stretching to reach it. I called out to my husband
" Look !! An oil of a ship - I can't reach it !! " More grunts
could be heard as he busily discarded our trash into the
designated dumpster bins, jumped back into our truck, drove
up to where I was standing and said "come on, get in the truck" .
"But...but...!! " I stammered. I looked over at a back hoe
driver who had been working on the bin alongside. He could
hardly hear me, as I said "I want that oil painting !! " Straining
to hear me, the back hoe man said " you want a paint can? "
"No, No ... a paint-ING ! " I heard myself yell over the loud
motor of the back hoe. " I can't reach it ~ should I try to get
it ?" "I wouldn't ! " the back hoe man said. All I can remember
was the back hoe driver looking at me like I was a crazy person
, as my husband drove away from the dump, with me- empty
handed and my stomach twisting and sinking, over a possible
treasure I just left behind -- all the while feeling " I shoulda !!! "
-- and hearing the echo of my husband saying "I don't care if it
was a Rembrandt - I wasn't climbing into that dumpster !
...Nancy Avignone

We publish the "Collectors Newsletter" twice
each week for 212,500+ readers. We need your
interesting stories about collecting. Send
them to support@tias.com

[ This Message was edited by: erthlng on 2002-07-25 15:13 ]

[Guest]

There is NOTHING wrong with dumpster dipping, if you are willing to take the risks. You don't know what is in the dumpster and whether it is dangerous or not, but in her shoes, I would have climbed into the dumpster myself if I wanted it bad enough!

Some towns used to put aside a spot for people to drop things that were still good and which other people might want. For some reason, most of them have stopped it and it is a shame. Many, MANY really good things, expensive things, get discarded every day by people in this consumer society that just want a "change"! I'm for it - it if you can get away with it, dig into that dumpster but do remember there ARE risks!

[Guest]

I dont see anything at all wrong with dumpster diving. The people threw the items away so whats it to them who picks it up and uses or sells it...they didnt want it. A town near ours has a whole day where people put out their trash and you can go from house to house and pick at what is out by the curb. Caring about the junk you threw out and where its going is like giving a gift and then telling the person how to use it. Once you threw it out..it doesnt belong to you. As they say, one persons trash is anothers treasure. JJ of Michigan

[Guest]

Nancy ~

We've all had those sinking feelings about seeing something that seemed to be so close yet ended up to be so far. I always take comfort in rationalizing what I think are my losses by the realization that it just "wasn't meant to be". Besides, keep the faith ... something BETTER will come along very soon! Happy pickin'!

"G"

[Blmnidiot]

Hello Nancy, My advice to you is KEEP DIVING! Some of my fondest childhood memories are of my Grandfather taking us to a dump in Connecticut in the '60's. What treasures we would find! I still "dive" to this day. It's a little more fun if you can embarrass your spouse or children.
Safety should be your first concern. Stick some gloves and anti-bacterial hand gel in your car.
Happy Hunting!

[Guest]

Waste nothing. If you throw it away it is trash. If someone else can find use for it, it is of value. Deny no one the pleasure of finding something of value in your discards. Look for alternative uses for things. Be glad of the value others can see in cast offs. Share the stuff. It isn't doing anyone any good in a landfill.

[Guest]

There is nothing against the law about taking anything from someone's garbage.
That is how Barbara Gibsons the Author of two books on the Kennedys got her information. She worked for Rose Kennedy, & while working there, Rose through out a diary. Barbara picked it out of the garbage & it was by law then legally hers. LOL One of the books was titled "Rose Kennedy & Her Family". So I love to dumpster dive very carefully though & I see there are others that pratice the art. B

[Guest]

I don't see anything wrong with dumpster diving or retrieving something from the trash that someone has put out to the street. Thank goodness a lady in Nebraska did this .Later I would come to find out a family member had thrown alot of things out,one of which was a photo of my great grandparents in a beautiful frame. The lady liked to collect old photos,frames etc. Several years later when I was visiting the little town I happened to meet this person and told her who I was and I was visiting where my father was born ,she told me about the photo and gave it to me and I now have a cherished photo of my greatgrandparents. I also have found things like old ink pens, furniture, framed prints and other items. My husband's father used to bring home furniture from the dump and refinish it.I think it is better put to use than added to our ever growing landfill.

[Guest]

I am always so happy when someone takes anything I throw out,I would rather see someone use it than have it go to the dump. In my area people put their larger discards out on a Thursday at curbside for the garbage men, I can't tell you how many rescue missions I have participated in, its fun, it sometimes uncovers treasures beyond belief and it also saves some money on things you would have to buy. I picked up a great mirror that way. As long as you don't make a mess I don't see why anyone would care what you have taken , same with the dumpster. I have never been dumpster diving, I don't know where the dumpsters are but the curb service is great. I also found that going to a house the same night they have finished a garage sale is very good, all the things that people didn't buy are always left at curbside with the rest of the garbage, I'm sure they hope someone will take it. I would keep on diving if I were you. The city likes people to recycle, less stuff on the pile if you take it.

[Guest]

That old cliche about one person's trash being another's treasure is an old saw because it is true. Trash is not sacred. I've rescued many a treasure from a curb on garbage day (thank heaven not from a dumpster). I overheard a conversation about a person who had rescued a Frank Lloyd Wright chair from a curb, a credible story, since we have had 5 FLW houses here. By what perverse logic would that have had to go to the dump, just because the original owner saw no value in it? Vive la dumpster diving!

[Guest]

I'm a big fan of other peoples trash...well some of it anyway! I love old things & have found some items I couldnt believe had been put out for the garbage truck. One of my best finds was an antique vanity that probably dates to the 20's or 30's. The finish isnt perfect but I plan to paint it so I didnt mind a bit. I also found a great old twig table & a darling old ladder back chair with a woven split wood seat. Both of these need a little work but I love them...chippy paint & all! My poor husband now dreads walking in the neighborhood with me because I'm always dragging others "junk" home. Oh well! He might as well get used to it! LOL! As for the people who tossed out these items minding if someone picks them up...I dont see why they should. After all, they didnt want them. My across the street neighbors probably think I'm a bit daffy for taking their discards but I doubt they cared. Well everyone...happy hunting!

[meddjay]

My advice is to do some dumping of your own...start with the hubby! If dumpster diving makes you happy, then do it! Even if you die a crazy old lady who has 15 cats and whos house is filled to the brim with YOUR treasures and others discarded "garbage"! This life is so short, how many of us are actually going to see the great masterpieces of the world in person, or even one of the 7 wonders of the world? Very few of us will actually get to experience that kind of beauty in person, so if your "diving" gives you pleasure and you see beauty in it, then tell the hubby either he accepts a little of it (you don't have to go all out at first) or he can go and live somewhere like the hospital that is so clean you can eat off the floor. But as he is leaving remind him how attractive you find the grease and the oil in the driveway, or how beautiful that bowling trophy is. Oh and what about that project car in the back that will never get worked on? Im sure you get my drift! But I do have to say one more thing on this....I have read alot of comments that people out there think it is perfectly legal to take something out of someone elses garbage....to let you know, it is NOT LEGAL, IT IS ILLEGAL to take something out of someones garbage! Now, of course this is going to vary from state to state, but as I understand the law, a person's garbage is their possession until the city comes and takes it away. So even in the alley it is STILL their property! But if you see something you want in the garbage...JUST ASK! I have never had someone tell me no, in fact they usually give me more stuff that is better they were saving to give to one of those charitible organizations. And to answer the next question, I give away so much stuff to those organizations that I do not feel guilty beating them to the punch occassionally! So just ask the owner, be careful in the garbage, you never know what will be in there, and don't let anyone stop you from doing what you want!

[Guest]

If you think diving is fun, we I live the towns have "heavy trash" pickups twice a year. Over many years of picking, you aquire your own knack of knowing where to go, on what days of the week, etc.

I've found that the dumpsters around colleges can be a virtual treasure trove we students are leaving for the summer. You gotta love it!

May the best diver win!!!

[Guest]

It's amazing what people throw out. It is much better for people to pick up items than to have them fill our landfills. I have found cedar window boxes (4), a small antique bench, a Victorian iron fireplace grate, a wicker table, wrought iron window grate, and many other treasures in people's trash. If people are so concerned about someone going through their trash, then they should donate these items to Goodwill, the Salvation Army or to a local shelter.

[maryfmar@aol.com]

Once it's in the dump it's up for grabs! If you don't want it taken or seen by others, keep it, shred it, etc! Would they like there to be dump police watching GARBAGE? If I had something out at the curb for pick up by the garbage man I'd be glad to see someone come along & find a use for what would otherwise fill up the earth.