this post was submitted on 23 Sep 2024
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No Stupid Questions

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They put out this shelf and I want it, but I don't want to seem strange? It would make a nice plant shelf, but it's not something I can scurry away with, so people would see me while I carried it. Is that a bad thing to do?

EDIT: Never mind. Someone beat me to it. 😭

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[–] [email protected] 107 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

I do that all the time. A thing is a thing, and it can be your thing now. I only try to ask myself two things:

  1. Do I really need that?
  2. Is it in a good condition? I have a lot of used stuff at home, so if I took something half-broken, it would look like a dumpster already.

Sidenote: I live in Denmark, where people overconsume, and then get rid of stuff which is still in good condition.

[–] [email protected] 82 points 9 months ago (3 children)

I think that it is weird that you ask us and not your neighbour

[–] [email protected] 20 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

If a neighbor asked me I would be happy it's not going into a landfill and offer to help carry it. Or I would tell you about the ancient curse it holds, and why no mortal should possess it.

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[–] [email protected] 58 points 9 months ago (3 children)

If I put something by the road, instead of in the bin, it is because I want someone to take it. Yes take it. If you are unsure, go up and let them know you want it,I can say with absolute confidence, they will say to take it.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 9 months ago (2 children)

I put out one of those big plastic storage units with like 30 little drawers recently, figuring although 2 were missing, someone could still use it. I stood it next to the dustbin, on trash day where it would be optimally visible for anyone who wanted to scrounge it.

The bloody HOA took a picture and sent a nastygram.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

I have no HOA, I need no HOA,and want no HOA. I do not care if my neighbor puts his car on blocks. City code enforcement will eventually move on any outrageous lack of upkeep.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

Brb, dropping the kids off

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[–] [email protected] 56 points 9 months ago (1 children)

This is totally kosher where I am and I've done it before, but if I think I'll be observed I'll ask my neighbor. They've always responded with some variation of "oh of course, I consider it trash" and sometimes explain reasons they're getting rid of it that dissuaded me from taking it that weren't immediately obvious.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

And if you don't know who owns it, leaving a note to ask is simple.

I've been the one to leave stuff out that I didn't have space for anymore, with a note on that it's free to take

[–] [email protected] 27 points 9 months ago (2 children)

When I lived in a college town, the last week of May was the best time to get used furniture.

College kids everywhere abandoning all kinds of shit on the greenbelt that they had no way of bringing home.

I'm sure there is furniture in my current home that came from some stranger college kid.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Nice of you to give bedbugs somewhere to live. Good on you.

  • you all think I'm serious...? Touchy bunch. Here, I'll fix it.

/s

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago (1 children)

The town I grew up in had a college and a university! I don’t think my parents bought us kids any new furniture until my dad built his own woodworking shop. I was a teenager by then!

We always got new mattresses, because NO FUCKING WAY was mom letting us sleep on a used, adult’s, student mattress. (I never knew you could stain them, that way, in those amounts…)

My sister still has a beautiful solid oak desk…

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

Yeah mattresses, gross. Even a couch.

But coffee tables, TV stands, bed side tables... Bed frames computer desks... So much good shit.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

this is quite literally how I get all of my furniture, extending the lifespan of consumer goods is a good thing.

now you know for next time!

[–] [email protected] 20 points 9 months ago (1 children)

As a kid in the 80s I lived in a burb where once or twice in the summer they had a day where they could put out big clunky stuff for trash pickup that normally wasn't allowed. So stuff like furniture, mattresses, old tires, etc. You'd routinely see cars driving past to see if there was anything they wanted to take. Our church friends, a family with 6 kids, would have a few ride off on their bikes and scout for useful stuff and call dibs. Then one brother went back home to get someone to bring the station wagon around while the others kept guard over the claim.

It was a good system for giving a second life to stuff that was still good (or fixable) but that you didn't want or weren't able to lug to the flea market or something.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

We have this still where I live. Was just this weekend gone in my neighbourhood.

Last week it was the rich neighbourhood and the council was there stopping people from taking anything saying that it all belongs to the council.

Dann rich fuckers get extra protection for their rubbish mean while our houses get broken into and cars stolen constantly

[–] [email protected] 18 points 9 months ago

There's a well established tradition of hand-me-down furniture being put out in alleys in East Vancouver. When you move and have no furniture, you can just tour the alleys and come away with a coffee table and a sofa or a couple of chairs. Did it a few times. You gotta know how to check for bed bugs though.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 9 months ago

its very normal to to do this in southeast asia

[–] [email protected] 17 points 9 months ago

It wouldn't be weird, but talk to your neighbour first.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

If you're sure they don't want it, take it.

If you aren't sure, ask, if if they are there, and if they aren't there, take it and ask later if they wanted it (return it if they did).

There's no shame in re-using good or even repairable stuff: indeed, be proud.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 9 months ago (1 children)

In my neighborhood taking stuff left at the curb is the norm. Sometimes we‘ll leave a sign to clarify something is free. There have been times when I’ve taken something, used it for a while, then put it back out in the curb for someone else to enjoy.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

I’ve put at least 10 pieces of furniture out on the curb in the last 4 months and they’ve all been taken. It makes me glad that someone can use it.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 9 months ago

The free pile is always available.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago

Just go and ask

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

Lmao, not at all. Check it for bugs, but trash is fair game. I live in a college town and there is good furniture out every semester if you like the look of it.

It's technically illegal, but if cops aren't pursuing stolen cars, they damn sure won't care about trash bring stolen.

And, based on your edit, I'm not the only person who agrees.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

My neighborhood has bulk trash pickup monthly. Most of the bulk trash gets put out the week prior to pickup day. The majority of this trash doesn’t make it to the dump! People with trailers come by and pick up anything remotely usable. I like to think they are reusing/upcycling this stuff but I really don’t know. I see this as a huge win because it keeps stuff out of the dump but it does feel very dystopian to see a junk economy like something from Fallout.

I’m in the USA btw. Others have pointed out that some countries have different laws regarding ownership of trash. Don’t get in trouble with law enforcement, get to know your neighbors better! It’s not trash if they give it to you.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

Why is that weird? I put things out hoping someone will grab it, so i don’t have to risk the city not taking it.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

People around me put things out early with the expectation and hope someone will come and take it.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

It may or.may not be weird depending on the situstion, your neighbor's personality, your relationship with your neighbor, etc.

But weird != wrong.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago

If I have a bulky item to discard, I call 311 or use the My311 app to arrange city pickup, and put it by the curb the day before. It's my hope that none will still be there by the time the truck arrives. Because that means it's being used by someone, which is better for everyone. If it's a neighbor, that's cool too.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

Homie. I wish you better luck in future recycling adventures. I think you might meet cool like minded people along the way.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

I did it this morning

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

Assuming you aren't a hoarder, and you properly clean it... well, yes, its weird by the modern standards of our consumeristic society, but in actuality no, this is recycling.

Landfills are full of things that, had they not been placed in a landfill, could likely have been repurposed and reused by someone, somewhere.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

We have a big trash day once a month in my town and I always keep an eye out for something good. Recently I picked up a nice, sturdy, homemade cart with big casters in good condition.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

I actually love it when people take things I put by the curb. I would much rather someone get use out of it than have it end up in a landfill.

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