Re: [Biofuel] one mans junk is..

2007-05-02 Thread Keith Addison
>& I bet the guy who went inside to answer the phone is still wondering
>where his mower went! (etc etc)

Naah, this is what happens in rich countries. Seen it in Holland, 
Sweden, and here in Japan - this is what Tokyo "gomi" is like 
(garbage). A list of the stuff we picked up from junk when we were 
living in Tokyo reads much the same, that's where we got almost 
everything we had. I couldn't believe what people were throwing away. 
Really disgraceful - but I didn't mind having it! Still got most of 
it.

Best

Keith


>regards Doug
>
>PS: in a past life we ran a s/h shop (as in almost-antiques) in the country, &
>a proportion of the junk that we scavenged came from back lanes in the city!
>
>On Wednesday 02 May 2007 01:37:41 pm AltEnergyNetwork wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > It is simply amazing/disgraceful  how much we waste as a society and the
> > amount of unnecessary garbage that we generate going into landfills.
> > If all the resources of manufacturing, materials and energy wasted
> > on making these products in the first place is calculated...then many times
> > only to be thrown away is simply criminal.
> >
> >  Here is a partial list from an informal study we did on what people throw
> > out and of what was salvaged simply by evening walks with some friends and
> > my dog over the past year on the night
> > before trash day. Call it dumpster diving if you want except
> >  there are no dumpsters and it's all piled right by the curb.
> >  I make no apologies for picking up something I can
> > use for free, recycles it and keeps it out of the dump.
> >
> > Area was a mixed resident working/middle class are of approx 10 square
> > blocks. Nothing scientific but it sure was interesting.
> >
> >
> > 8 persian style tapestry carpets
> > all 10ftx15ft, clean, no stains, no fraying, no pet pee,  and in perfect
> > condition.
> >
> > 16 microwave ovens, all clean, various sizes, all perfect working
> > condition
> > 1 micro still scealed in factory plastic. (Who throws out a brand new
> > microwave?) I know, I know, some people have concerns about microwave ovens
> > but still.
> >
> > 8 multi disc cd sound systems varied from 20watts-200 watts all
> > working
> >
> > 16 sets of speakers, perfect condition, current models, all working,
> > cosmetically a-ok
> >
> > 6 large boxes of kitchen wares, non chipped or cracked.. soup bowls,
> > dinner plates, cups saucers, glasses, table ware,
> > cloth napkins, 3 new bath towels, 2 new sheets still in packaging.
> >
> > 1 large box with 24 sets of unopened boxed candles
> >
> > 1 LCD flat screen computer monitor, perfect working condition.
> >
> > 14 recently manufatured (2-3yrs old) computer printers from various makes,
> > all working no problems, all drivers downloadable
> >
> > 1 all in one scanner, printer, copyer,
> > a1 condition needs ink
> >
> >
> > 1 projection tv
> > cracked plastic but I removed bottom projection system
> > and now have a 8ft square screen
> > projected on a white wall, pretty cool for a free projection tv!
> >
> >
> > various audio and computer cables, all working
> > 2 microphones
> >
> > 20 different potted house plants from 1ft to 10ft high,
> > all healthy
> >
> > 2 cordless phones, both working,
> >
> > 4 high end audio amplifiers/tuners, both working
> >
> > 35 various framed artwork prints, none broken or damaged
> >
> >
> > 2 boxs of kitchen gadgets, garlic press, strainers, food processors,
> > clean and working
> >
> >
> > 1 bread machine, a-1 excellent condition, almost brand new
> > and makes dilicious homemade bread
> > I might add..love it
> >
> >
> > 5 computer keyboards, various configurations, all working fine.
> >
> > 4 DVD players, all working fine
> >
> > 1 surround sound tv sound system and 5 compact speakers,
> > a1 working..great sound
> >
> >
> > 1 box containing a complete 14 piece high end copper coated cook
> > set. pots and pans,
> > including lids, clean and in perfect shape
> >
> >
> > 1 ikea style cloths beuro,
> > a1, no scratches, nice finish and a bonus. I opened up one of the
> > drawers and found an envelope containing a 50 dollar bill!!
> > made my day.
> >
> > 2 brand new quilted bed comforters still in store packaging.
> >
> >
> > 1 thermoelectric 12 volt camp cooler, a1 perfect working condition.
> >
> > 1 thermoelectric hot/cold water dispenser, a1 working condition
> >
> > 3 halogen table lamps, a1 working condition
> >
> > 1 large tupperware container containing 14 high quality cutting knives
> > a1 condition
> >
> > 3 large aquariums, including pumps, filters and clean gravel
> >
> > 1 weed wacker, perfect condition
> >
> > 1 gas lawn mower, working condition
> >
> > 1 hepafilter air cleaner, working condition
> >
> > large assortment of boxes of screws, fasteners, hinges, nails etc
> > all in original packaging
> >
> > 2 8000btu air conditioners, both recent efficient models, both
> > working a-1
> >
> > 1 box containing 3 recent model harddrives..all working but need
> > to be reforma

Re: [Biofuel] one mans junk is..

2007-05-02 Thread Darryl McMahon
Sounds like fertile ground for Freecycling.  I absolutely agree with
your sentiment.  It's shameful to see so much stuff going to landfill.

Similar wandering in my neighbourhood isn't nearly so bountiful, but we
have had a lot of bicycles in various states of disrepair put out of
late.  (I have all the spare parts I can handle already.)
The local scrappers grab those before the municipal collection guys come
around.  Of course, this doesn't count toward the official waste
diversion statistics.

We have a local entrepreneur who is now recycling old (non-functional)
computer parts.  He has to charge about 65 cents a pound to cover his
operational costs.  So, most of this stuff goes to landfill rather than
being environmentally managed.

Darryl

"AltEnergyNetwork" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> 
> Hi all,
> 
> It is simply amazing/disgraceful  how much we waste as a society and
the amount
> of
> unnecessary garbage that we generate going into landfills.
> If all the resources of manufacturing, materials and energy wasted
> on making these products in the first place is calculated...then many
times
> only to be
> thrown away is simply criminal.
> 
>  Here is a partial list from an informal study we did on what people
throw out
> and of what was salvaged simply by evening walks with some friends
> and my dog over the past year on the night
> before trash day. Call it dumpster diving if you want except
>  there are no dumpsters and it's all piled right by the curb.
>  I make no apologies for picking up something I can
> use for free, recycles it and keeps it out of the dump.
> 
> Area was a mixed resident working/middle class are of approx 10 square
blocks.
> Nothing scientific but it sure was interesting.
> 
> 
> 8 persian style tapestry carpets
> all 10ftx15ft, clean, no stains, no fraying, no pet pee,  and in
perfect
> condition.
> 
> 16 microwave ovens, all clean, various sizes, all perfect working
> condition
> 1 micro still scealed in factory plastic. (Who throws out a brand new
> microwave?)
> I know, I know, some people have concerns about microwave ovens but
still.
> 
> 8 multi disc cd sound systems varied from 20watts-200 watts all
> working
> 
> 16 sets of speakers, perfect condition, current models, all working,
> cosmetically a-ok
> 
> 6 large boxes of kitchen wares, non chipped or cracked.. soup bowls,
> dinner plates, cups saucers, glasses, table ware,
> cloth napkins, 3 new bath towels, 2 new sheets still in packaging.
> 
> 1 large box with 24 sets of unopened boxed candles
> 
> 1 LCD flat screen computer monitor, perfect working condition.
> 
> 14 recently manufatured (2-3yrs old) computer printers from various
makes,
> all working no problems, all drivers downloadable
> 
> 1 all in one scanner, printer, copyer,
> a1 condition needs ink
> 
> 
> 1 projection tv
> cracked plastic but I removed bottom projection system
> and now have a 8ft square screen
> projected on a white wall, pretty cool for a free projection tv!
> 
> 
> various audio and computer cables, all working
> 2 microphones
> 
> 20 different potted house plants from 1ft to 10ft high,
> all healthy
> 
> 2 cordless phones, both working,
> 
> 4 high end audio amplifiers/tuners, both working
> 
> 35 various framed artwork prints, none broken or damaged
> 
> 
> 2 boxs of kitchen gadgets, garlic press, strainers, food processors,
> clean and working
> 
> 
> 1 bread machine, a-1 excellent condition, almost brand new
> and makes dilicious homemade bread
> I might add..love it
> 
> 
> 5 computer keyboards, various configurations, all working fine.
> 
> 4 DVD players, all working fine
> 
> 1 surround sound tv sound system and 5 compact speakers,
> a1 working..great sound
> 
> 
> 1 box containing a complete 14 piece high end copper coated cook
> set. pots and pans,
> including lids, clean and in perfect shape
> 
> 
> 1 ikea style cloths beuro,
> a1, no scratches, nice finish and a bonus. I opened up one of the
> drawers and found an envelope containing a 50 dollar bill!!
> made my day.
> 
> 2 brand new quilted bed comforters still in store packaging.
> 
> 
> 1 thermoelectric 12 volt camp cooler, a1 perfect working condition.
> 
> 1 thermoelectric hot/cold water dispenser, a1 working condition
> 
> 3 halogen table lamps, a1 working condition
> 
> 1 large tupperware container containing 14 high quality cutting knives
> a1 condition
> 
> 3 large aquariums, including pumps, filters and clean gravel
> 
> 1 weed wacker, perfect condition
> 
> 1 gas lawn mower, working condition
> 
> 1 hepafilter air cleaner, working condition
> 
> large assortment of boxes of screws, fasteners, hinges, nails etc
> all in original packaging
> 
> 2 8000btu air conditioners, both recent efficient models, both
> working a-1
> 
> 1 box containing 3 recent model harddrives..all working but need
> to be reformatted
> 
> 1 walkytalky set..working
> 
> 5 oil lamps, various, decorative, working and undamaged
> 
> 2 electric cloths irons..brand new, still in original packaging

Re: [Biofuel] one mans junk is..

2007-05-02 Thread doug
& I bet the guy who went inside to answer the phone is still wondering 
where his mower went! (etc etc)

regards Doug

PS: in a past life we ran a s/h shop (as in almost-antiques) in the country, & 
a proportion of the junk that we scavenged came from back lanes in the city! 
 
On Wednesday 02 May 2007 01:37:41 pm AltEnergyNetwork wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> It is simply amazing/disgraceful  how much we waste as a society and the
> amount of unnecessary garbage that we generate going into landfills.
> If all the resources of manufacturing, materials and energy wasted
> on making these products in the first place is calculated...then many times
> only to be thrown away is simply criminal.
>
>  Here is a partial list from an informal study we did on what people throw
> out and of what was salvaged simply by evening walks with some friends and
> my dog over the past year on the night
> before trash day. Call it dumpster diving if you want except
>  there are no dumpsters and it's all piled right by the curb.
>  I make no apologies for picking up something I can
> use for free, recycles it and keeps it out of the dump.
>
> Area was a mixed resident working/middle class are of approx 10 square
> blocks. Nothing scientific but it sure was interesting.
>
>
> 8 persian style tapestry carpets
> all 10ftx15ft, clean, no stains, no fraying, no pet pee,  and in perfect
> condition.
>
> 16 microwave ovens, all clean, various sizes, all perfect working
> condition
> 1 micro still scealed in factory plastic. (Who throws out a brand new
> microwave?) I know, I know, some people have concerns about microwave ovens
> but still.
>
> 8 multi disc cd sound systems varied from 20watts-200 watts all
> working
>
> 16 sets of speakers, perfect condition, current models, all working,
> cosmetically a-ok
>
> 6 large boxes of kitchen wares, non chipped or cracked.. soup bowls,
> dinner plates, cups saucers, glasses, table ware,
> cloth napkins, 3 new bath towels, 2 new sheets still in packaging.
>
> 1 large box with 24 sets of unopened boxed candles
>
> 1 LCD flat screen computer monitor, perfect working condition.
>
> 14 recently manufatured (2-3yrs old) computer printers from various makes,
> all working no problems, all drivers downloadable
>
> 1 all in one scanner, printer, copyer,
> a1 condition needs ink
>
>
> 1 projection tv
> cracked plastic but I removed bottom projection system
> and now have a 8ft square screen
> projected on a white wall, pretty cool for a free projection tv!
>
>
> various audio and computer cables, all working
> 2 microphones
>
> 20 different potted house plants from 1ft to 10ft high,
> all healthy
>
> 2 cordless phones, both working,
>
> 4 high end audio amplifiers/tuners, both working
>
> 35 various framed artwork prints, none broken or damaged
>
>
> 2 boxs of kitchen gadgets, garlic press, strainers, food processors,
> clean and working
>
>
> 1 bread machine, a-1 excellent condition, almost brand new
> and makes dilicious homemade bread
> I might add..love it
>
>
> 5 computer keyboards, various configurations, all working fine.
>
> 4 DVD players, all working fine
>
> 1 surround sound tv sound system and 5 compact speakers,
> a1 working..great sound
>
>
> 1 box containing a complete 14 piece high end copper coated cook
> set. pots and pans,
> including lids, clean and in perfect shape
>
>
> 1 ikea style cloths beuro,
> a1, no scratches, nice finish and a bonus. I opened up one of the
> drawers and found an envelope containing a 50 dollar bill!!
> made my day.
>
> 2 brand new quilted bed comforters still in store packaging.
>
>
> 1 thermoelectric 12 volt camp cooler, a1 perfect working condition.
>
> 1 thermoelectric hot/cold water dispenser, a1 working condition
>
> 3 halogen table lamps, a1 working condition
>
> 1 large tupperware container containing 14 high quality cutting knives
> a1 condition
>
> 3 large aquariums, including pumps, filters and clean gravel
>
> 1 weed wacker, perfect condition
>
> 1 gas lawn mower, working condition
>
> 1 hepafilter air cleaner, working condition
>
> large assortment of boxes of screws, fasteners, hinges, nails etc
> all in original packaging
>
> 2 8000btu air conditioners, both recent efficient models, both
> working a-1
>
> 1 box containing 3 recent model harddrives..all working but need
> to be reformatted
>
> 1 walkytalky set..working
>
> 5 oil lamps, various, decorative, working and undamaged
>
> 2 electric cloths irons..brand new, still in original packaging
>
> 1 collapsable snow shovel for car.. cool.. its in my car
> as well as a new high end widow scraper, squeegy, colapsable
>
>
> 1 box containing 6 decorative crystal flower vases
>
> 1 complete ratchet set and ratchet
>
> 2 metal ramps for car repair
>
> 2 metal traction aids for ice
>
> 2 multidriver screwdriver sets with bits
>
>
> 2 brand new tarps one 20ftx 30ft other one 10x15
>
> 1 folded space blanket.(metalized mylar) in original package
>
> 2 deadbolt locks, brand new, including keys
>
> countless

[Biofuel] one mans junk is..

2007-05-01 Thread AltEnergyNetwork

Hi all,

It is simply amazing/disgraceful  how much we waste as a society and the amount 
of
unnecessary garbage that we generate going into landfills.
If all the resources of manufacturing, materials and energy wasted
on making these products in the first place is calculated...then many times 
only to be
thrown away is simply criminal.

 Here is a partial list from an informal study we did on what people throw out
and of what was salvaged simply by evening walks with some friends
and my dog over the past year on the night
before trash day. Call it dumpster diving if you want except
 there are no dumpsters and it's all piled right by the curb.
 I make no apologies for picking up something I can
use for free, recycles it and keeps it out of the dump.

Area was a mixed resident working/middle class are of approx 10 square blocks.
Nothing scientific but it sure was interesting.


8 persian style tapestry carpets
all 10ftx15ft, clean, no stains, no fraying, no pet pee,  and in perfect 
condition.

16 microwave ovens, all clean, various sizes, all perfect working
condition
1 micro still scealed in factory plastic. (Who throws out a brand new 
microwave?)
I know, I know, some people have concerns about microwave ovens but still.

8 multi disc cd sound systems varied from 20watts-200 watts all
working

16 sets of speakers, perfect condition, current models, all working, 
cosmetically a-ok

6 large boxes of kitchen wares, non chipped or cracked.. soup bowls,
dinner plates, cups saucers, glasses, table ware,
cloth napkins, 3 new bath towels, 2 new sheets still in packaging.

1 large box with 24 sets of unopened boxed candles

1 LCD flat screen computer monitor, perfect working condition.

14 recently manufatured (2-3yrs old) computer printers from various makes,
all working no problems, all drivers downloadable

1 all in one scanner, printer, copyer,
a1 condition needs ink


1 projection tv
cracked plastic but I removed bottom projection system
and now have a 8ft square screen
projected on a white wall, pretty cool for a free projection tv!


various audio and computer cables, all working
2 microphones

20 different potted house plants from 1ft to 10ft high,
all healthy

2 cordless phones, both working,

4 high end audio amplifiers/tuners, both working

35 various framed artwork prints, none broken or damaged


2 boxs of kitchen gadgets, garlic press, strainers, food processors,
clean and working


1 bread machine, a-1 excellent condition, almost brand new
and makes dilicious homemade bread
I might add..love it


5 computer keyboards, various configurations, all working fine.

4 DVD players, all working fine

1 surround sound tv sound system and 5 compact speakers,
a1 working..great sound


1 box containing a complete 14 piece high end copper coated cook
set. pots and pans,
including lids, clean and in perfect shape


1 ikea style cloths beuro,
a1, no scratches, nice finish and a bonus. I opened up one of the
drawers and found an envelope containing a 50 dollar bill!!
made my day.

2 brand new quilted bed comforters still in store packaging.


1 thermoelectric 12 volt camp cooler, a1 perfect working condition.

1 thermoelectric hot/cold water dispenser, a1 working condition

3 halogen table lamps, a1 working condition

1 large tupperware container containing 14 high quality cutting knives
a1 condition

3 large aquariums, including pumps, filters and clean gravel

1 weed wacker, perfect condition

1 gas lawn mower, working condition

1 hepafilter air cleaner, working condition

large assortment of boxes of screws, fasteners, hinges, nails etc
all in original packaging

2 8000btu air conditioners, both recent efficient models, both
working a-1

1 box containing 3 recent model harddrives..all working but need
to be reformatted

1 walkytalky set..working

5 oil lamps, various, decorative, working and undamaged

2 electric cloths irons..brand new, still in original packaging

1 collapsable snow shovel for car.. cool.. its in my car
as well as a new high end widow scraper, squeegy, colapsable


1 box containing 6 decorative crystal flower vases

1 complete ratchet set and ratchet

2 metal ramps for car repair

2 metal traction aids for ice

2 multidriver screwdriver sets with bits


2 brand new tarps one 20ftx 30ft other one 10x15

1 folded space blanket.(metalized mylar) in original package

2 deadbolt locks, brand new, including keys

countless cans of unopened or almost full latex and acrylic paint,
glues, varnishes etc


1 black leather easy chair..perfect condition

1 black leather office chair.. perfect condition

2 coleman camp stoves..working a1

6 folding camp chairs.. a1 clean, working


3 four slice toasters..clean and working

countless vcrs..although that's to be expected

I still use 4 of them anyway..never had to buy one even 15 years ago..
always found one in working condition.

countless color tvs of all sorts, many
working a 1 but I don't bother with them anymore..
same as many monitors..not worth it f