| On this page we will
occasionally post dumpster and salvage
finds made locally. These are examples
of the incredible energy and resource
waste that has become habit in America.
To view this waste stream yourself, simply stop at any dumpster in the USA, and peer in. First, just for the view, but after you get used to looking, you'll also begin to find things you might be able to use. When I show photos like these, and tell people I found them in a dumpster, their response is often, "Well I never find anything like that!" And I reply in turn , "How often do you look in dumpsters?" Uh.... Never, or almost never. We've been well-trained to feel guilt and revulsion at garbage, even though we each generate huge amounts every year. Rather than look at it as garbage, lets begin the mental restructuring necessary to see junk as feedstock for an energy saving life. Dig in! The Dumpster God is Good ... |
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September 1, 2006: This rack for my little VW Golf was made from some of the bedframe steel I've stockpiled from previous dumpster dives. I bring home free steel whenever I can, and with the rack I'll be able to haul more! I built it wide enough to carry plywood. Tools needed were acetylene cutting torch, MIG welder, hand and bench grinders, metal-cutting chop saw, drill press and hand drill motor, hand tools and paint. |
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March 16, 2006. This garden trailer frame was found in a nearby dumpster. It will make a nice small utility trailer I can pull with my 1986 VW Golf. Tires still have good pressure. |
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July, 2006: This wood bear was found in a dumpster, and looks great sitting at my neighbor's picnic table. Looks like he's ready to eat Peanut butter. |
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July, 2006: These two lawnmowers were found in a nearby dumpster this spring. The one on the right works fine, and was dumped because the wheels are about to fall off. I'm still mowing my small lawn with it, (mobile park requirement), and if the wheels fall off I'll put them back on. The engine is fine. I have not examined the second one yet. I have never purchased a new lawn mower. The Dumpster God is Good ... He Giveth and He Taketh Away. As a side note to lawns, it will not be long before most suburbanites will be tearing up their lawns and growing veggies. I suggest we start now. I would do this here, if the ground was more than alluvial rock and not so steep. It won't grow anything but native grasses we must mow. |
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July, 2006: My neighbor liked this small trunk also, and will store "stuff" in it. Also found in a dumpster. |
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 March 16, 2006. These three bicycles were found sitting next to a dumpster. The first is a Huffy, the second a Schwinn, and the third a Roadmaster. They have all their parts, and will need some minor repairs, but should function fine with a little TLC. |
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 March 12, 2006. These are cast iron floor lamp bases, and will make nice new lamps, or perhaps be used for porch post stands. From a local dumpster.] |
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