Selfsufficientish.com

We usually only leave stuff at the council recycling centre but this week I had a browse through the stuff. You wouldn't believe what people get rid of. I came home with a stack of large flower pots - free - there were so many. Also a large propagator with dome lid 24"x12"x9" in perfect condition and with those little vents in the top £2!!!!!! They cost a bomb in the gardencentre which is why I have never had one.

Next time I need something I shall jolly well go there first (after the charity shops). The only problem is the OM. He likes to pick up things that 'may come in handy', and we all know what that means....

Good on him, he has my support!
Nev

Lucky you! Are all the useable things laid out for you to pick from or are you climbing through skips???

No such thing as that in France - everything gets dumped in giant skips that are way below the level where the cars/vans are, and the tips are manned so I couldn't imagine being allowed to climb down into them to delve around (nor would I fancy that either!). Probably get a truck load of rubble on my head!

Well done on getting those bargains. I daren't tell my mother about these sort of places, she is a real magpie. Mind you, she found a pair of antique silver candlesticks in a skip once. (she just can't walk past a skip without having a nose in there)

We go to our recycling centre once a week to take cardboard, plastic and big garden waste that won't fit in our rather small compost heap. It's frightening to see what people chuck out when we go down there. I mean, the sort of things that could really be used again, rather than stuff that is totally worn out. We have a mobile phone recycling bit there too for Africa, which is good to see.

On the other hand, it's a very good sign to see so many people at the centre taking all their things for recycling.

great

we have a safe and clean team on our estate that pick up all sorts of things they find dumped or from people house and empty houses. I see alsorts of great stuff on their vans so we decided to ask what happened to it and they said it is thrown away so I asked if we'd be able to have things instead and they said no problem, anything you fancy take

only prblem, my bf likes bikes and I often see broken bikes in the vans so is my house about to become a bike workshop?

Hi! Just back from a week at my mothers with the kids

In answer to your question MMM, all the stuff at our recycle centre is laid out to be viewed - no prices, you just ask and a member of the staff thinks of a price! The turnover is quite quick - if it doesnt go it gets ditched which is a good thing as it gets rid of the tat.....
Also we can buy back our garden waste turned into compost for a couple of quid (This is when my composter is full) its really rich and black, mmm

We used to have skip outside of our old house, and I'm sure as much stuff came out as went in.

Magpies around Brisbane might like to try Reverse Garbage, a nonprofit group run by Friends of the Earth. They collect industrial discards and sell them out of a small shed on the corner of Ashington and Montague Rd, West End. (note: I'm not connected with them, just a very big fan)

This is a truly fantastic place. Small plastic discs, fabric samples, electronic bits, scrap cardboard, plaster teeth & feet casts, vinyl, tiles, pots ... everything! When Scooby Doo the movie was shot on the Gold Coast, the set designer was a regular visitor to Reverse Garbage for bits and ideas.

I often have to avoid the place because I know there's a lot of stuff there I'd take home, and I haven't done anything with the last lot yet!

I've heard rumours of a similar place in Melbourne, but have no details.

Kfish

I am envious that you can take stuff! At our local dump and recycling place, if you try to take stuff that other people have left the 'guards' - sorry, council workers - jump on you and make you put it back. My DH went to take an old rabbit hutch and was told it was 'technically stealing'. I think they just want to get the best bits for themselves and then just landfill the rest!!

We always try to get rid of old stuff through Freecycle now, and have picked up some fantastic freebies too.

I think that the recycling centers are great. I've been able to pick up most of my fowlers jars for next to nothing. I just need to learn how to use them. have always used jam jars that have been given before.
Also pick up any plant pots - just need a rinse with a bleach mix.
Try not to go too many times - end up looking at everything I don't need.

Not been on here for ages - so little time etc etc
Hello folks!
By the way have any of you tried freecycle - Lee introduced me - its fantastic
You just give away stuff - and so does everyone else!
Just a note of warning - if you log on and register make sure you opt for one email a day - otherwise every item posted will pop into your box and boy theres loads of stuff posted
Have fun - you'd be amazed what people give away
I heard in Scandanavia they have a day when you put out your "rubbish" everyone hasa free for all then in the morning the bin men take away whats left - oh I wish. Mind you in this country you'd probably get someone set fire to it, or sell it on ebay, bless em
Have fun - nice to chat again - happy new year too
:)

Hi, Sue,

I'm on the local freecycle group, too. I'm not sure I agree about setting your preferences to receiving one 'digest' post per day, though. Some things are taken almost as soon as they are offered, and I would have thought you may miss out on things.

I've had a few useful things, and managed to get rid of a load of old junk...err, I mean other useful things that I no longer needed.

My big question is 'Is this just another form of consumerism that panders to people's I-want-more-stuff desires?' Are we Freecyclersâ„¢ just propping up a crocked society without realising it, and contributing to the world's destruction?

Anyway, if anyone wants to see if there is a local group, the website is here: http://freecycle.org/

Yes, we probably are Stew, but in a slightly more healthy manner (maybe).

I love Freecycle and get ALL the emails from my local group and another one nearby. The stuff people give away! Today someone was offering a ukelele!! (I think that's how you spell it!)

I know people who throw all sorts in their bins. I just cannot bear it, it seems so wasteful. Join your local group, or if there isn't one, start one up!

About three miles from where I live is an amenity site a few months ago I had a good clear out and not wanting to just dump stuff other people might be able to use I got a friend to take me there. When I was there we decided to have a little look about I couldn’t believe what I found TV’s, computers, loads of furniture all in great condition I came home with enough carpet for the front room and hall and enough paint to do the whole house

Onya mate, thats great! Well done!

Nev