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 for
me but most still work fine and should
be recycled instead of landing in the dump.
1 megasized camp cooler
2 new paint trays, 4 new rollers and handles
I could go on but you all get the idea that we are throwing away
far too much.
Anyway, I think that we will continue the tradition and hold an annual garage
sale for a worthy cause,
regards
tallex
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