Tis’ the Season for Dumpster Diving
Between weekly snow storms, daily melting, and nightly freezing, garbage trucks have yet to tred down many of the neglected and treacherous side streets and back alleys of Vancouver. This past weekend, a friend and I decided to spread holiday cheer throughout my the West End by leaving the decapitated heads of snowpeople on the tops of stranded vehicles as belated holiday gifts. Doing so, I came across enough discarded apartment decor to furnish a small shanty town. Old television sets, futons, mattresses, ovens, and even a nice washer/dryer set were covered in heaps of snow, no doubt left out to dry in their snowy graves by their previous owners. I can’t help but think Christmas and Boxing Day had something to do with all of this. To all of you looking to get rid of your old furniture, why not donate it to those who can’t afford their own? Christ, at least try and pawn it off on some poor college student via Craig’s list – you could at least recoup a few bucks while keeping your hunk of mercury filled technotrash out of our landfill (and watershed) for a few more years (you pricks).
3 Responses to “Tis’ the Season for Dumpster Diving”
Bonus advice for craigslist which may be obvious to some but took some time for me to realize: if you’re unloading, say, a couch for free, don’t just post it in the “furniture” section – also post in “free stuff”. It gets snapped up so fast. Also checkout the “HomeStart Foundation”, “Aunt Leah’s Independent Lifeskills Society”, or one of the other places that could use the goods.
I’ve gotten/gotten rid of tons of neat stuff via freecycle: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vancouverfreecycle/. And a fellow freecycler recently turned me on to http://www.vancouver.reuses.com/. Old computers and computer equipment can go to Free Geek, http://freegeekvancouver.org/–They'll even pick up for you. And lastly, there’ a facebook application called Free Market where you can post items you have/want.
Excellent info Timon and Angelena. There is some interesting stuff available on for free on Craig’s List:
Baby formula, coupons for diapers and ketchup.
18ft pool.
Box of junk, incl. pregnancy books and a Magic Bullet
An electric organ.
Lastly, a good samaritan has offered to shovel snow for free:
Anyone who is honestly stuck due to the recent snowfalls that needs help can call me and Ill do what I can. Seniors or people who cant get out for groceries or medications ect. Call 604 910 8788.This is not a scam and is free to those who need it. If you know someone pass my number along.This is not for people who are able bodied and too lazy to get up off thier ass!