Why is it so easy to throw things away?

re: Why is it so easy to throw things away?

newyorker — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:32:17 GMT

soles4soles.org for shoes to donate

re: Why is it so easy to throw things away?

Jenny Athens,Greece — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:50:49 GMT

I live in Athens, Greece and you would be amazed how they recycle things here. Every Sunday there is an area in a park that sales toys to antiques. You can find anything your heart desires. And they have also here people that make their living by picking up things from the trash and sales them. Also medals, iron, stoves, refrigerates, just anything to pay rent and to live by. And I have also furnished my home with items such as antiques and books just anything you can think of. Someone will take these items and use them. We do not have Goodwill, etc. to give them to here. Or we give to someone that knows someone that needs them. I am American living here for years and I think if I went back home if I could get the same joy of finding things like here. And thanks to this site I see I can get even more. For everyone that took time to write this site you have opened my eyes.

re: Why is it so easy to throw things away?

Zephyr — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:55:29 GMT

I might not head into a dumpster, but if it's sitting next to one... open game! I've gotten an ergonomic office chair, nice artwork, books, all sorts of things and haven't even had to visit the local college campus! People moving out of apartments will leave all sorts of things!

re: Why is it so easy to throw things away?

Bethany — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:36:29 GMT

I live in a large apartment complex. Our building are spaced apart so there are about 7 dumpsters scattered through out the complex. I have "rescued" a few things from the dumpster in front of my building. I have also left a few things that were in good shape to be rescued by someone else.

My neighbors and I swap things all the time. For example I wanted a counter top grill. My neighbor her one that was family size,d but needed a smaller one. So I traded her the smaller one I had gotten as a gift, for her larger one. Perfect for my family!! We have swapped all kinds of electronics, furniture and so forth.

I have donated toys/books/kids items to my church (for the little kids play area).

I have donated toys/books/kids items to my doctor's office.

The elementary school by my mother's house accepted 10 years of old National Geographics for the kids to cut up for different projects (the same reason she kept them for so long, so we wouldn't be buying a new magazine just to cut a picture out of it). The librarian said they would accept most magazines so the kids could cut out the pictures or letters for different school projects, and the school didn't have to pay for them.

The D. I. (Deseret Industries) accepts "rags" which they recycle overseas for people to turn into rag rugs, and other rag craft items. Mom (and I) put them in a separate bag clearly marked RAGS and has never had anyone hassle us about donating them.

I have found that you would be surprised what you can find a "2nd" home for if you really look at the possibilities, and be creative.

re: Why is it so easy to throw things away?

Leann — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:02:32 GMT

My husband and I rent an apartment in a private house and and there was a couple

that lived upstairs, they moved two weeks ago. I found garbage bags on the side of the house; I was going to take them to the front of the house for pick up; opened up the bags and I felt as if I hit the lottery. I found brand new sheets packaged; brand news shirts in the package, name brand jewelry & pocketbooks and other household items clothes and shoes; some used that were just tosed in the trash. I was so sick to my stomach in realizing this was all trash. I took what I was able to use and the rest I distributed to who I thought could use these items. I just feel like kicking myself because a week prior there were 4 or 5 more bags in front of the house and I know for a fact that there were good items in them, but I felt stupid because they were in fromt of the house and I did not want anyone to see me picking through the garbage. What a sin!!!!!!! Has this ever happened to anyone else before? Know wonder why we have so much waste in the world.

re: Why is it so easy to throw things away?

sandie — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:38:30 GMT

My husband had recieved a handmedown recliner that was in excellent shape and when we were able to get new furniture we decided to give it to goodwill. as we were loading the chair I accidentally dropped my end and a corner had some dirt from the ground, not thinking anything about it (it was still in excellent condition!) when we arrived at goodwill they looked over the chair and saw the dirt and denied it. I tried to brush it off but it was too late they wouldnt accept it. This was all before we had the internet so unfortunately it went to the trash. I do hope that someone did retrieve it from the trash.

re: Why is it so easy to throw things away?

Carol Munnell — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:31:06 GMT

My daughter had a 2 year old grill that blew over in a wind storm. Since her homeowner's insurance paid her to replace it she did. We took the "broken" grill, refurbished and repaired it at a total cost of $11 and now her sister who just moved out got a "free" gas grill. It makes me feel good that this large item is not in a landfill. It was a good lesson to the daughters too.

re: Why is it so easy to throw things away?

Meagan — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:39:59 GMT

A few years ago,I had been hit by a car and fractured part of my spine. I soon had to move out of my apartment and had to pay a lot of money to have people move me. It turned out that the friend I was moving in with had a place to small for some of my things,namely a bookshelf and a kitchen cart. I had to have the movers just put the things out on the street,but,since I lived in NYC,I could do so with good conscience.I knew in a very short amount of time those items would be taken by someone on the street. What I mean to say is,not everyone throws things out because they don't care,often people will put things out knowing that others will gladly take them.

I know live in a rather wealthy neighborhood and,you can tell by the way things are placed outside,that they throw things out with the intention that others will want it.

I also understand people being upset when finding a book or something in the actual garbage can.That is a different thing altogether.

re: Why is it so easy to throw things away?

Gary — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:20:36 GMT

The building I live in is just the old and disabled. We are all on fixed incomes. When we have something to give away , we put them on the table in the lobby on each floor.

It works for us.

re: Why is it so easy to throw things away?

tigerseye — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:46:25 GMT

My best friend--who rents my attic from me--and I are always setting things aside to give to Salvation Army. Her moreso than me, as I tend to use things until their either broken, ripped, or way beyond their useful lives. I don't understand this concept of pitching something perfectly usable, especially if it's a high-priced item, like electronics. And by giving it to charity, I get a nice tax deduction!