Collecting

There is a new culture of recycling. For years people have been putting out used items in their garbage never thinking that anyone would bother to look through it and maybe pick up some items of interest. Today this practice is not only common but encouraged. Many towns and cities have special days for cleaning up the large items in your home or garage and setting them out for collection and eventually the landfill site. On these occasions people often drive around to look for treasures. It iIs remarkable to discover some of the great usable items to be found.

Many people will label specific things to show their value and to tell the finder that it is serviceable or needs repair. I for one have been a collector for longer than I would like to admit. Furniture, appliances, garden tools and numerous items are no longer needed or wanted and they can be recycled. I have found many good things which ended up being refinished and put to use. Most of the valuable items were given to friends and service organizations for fund raising or general use. Some of most prized possessions were castaways from someone but were perfect for me.

Here in Florida where homes have been foreclosed or abandoned there are whole households of furnishings thrown to the curb. Good pieces can and are salvaged for reuse. I recently saw a documentary about well to do ladies in New York who started a groug called the Dumpster divers. These bored ladies regularly looked through dumpsters near their homes and salvaged goods which were restored and sold to raise money for charity. This group encouraged others to do the same and now it has become fashionable to become a collector.

How foolish to see an item ready to fill our landfill sites when they could be made useful. So get your gloves and get ready to become a Green person and share in the joy of recycling. You might be surprised with the people you will meet at that pile of treasures on the side of the road.

Much of the fun here is in the reclaiming of goods and with a little paint or cleaning placing them back where they can be of use. I would encourage you to place good items out a little early so they may be salvaged by your neighbour or just a collector. In our city it is estimated that these programs of reuse have saved thousands of tons being placed in our landfill sites and gave years added to their continued ability to receive necessary garbage.

Years ago when I was a collector sometimes my grand children would like to come with me. They were excited to find things but were a little embarrassed if I wished to stop beside a house where their friends lived. Today this may still be true but I am sure there is a change in attitude and your rewards are worth the little embarrassing moments.