And I know from y'all's comments that y'all may, or may not, have gone dumpster diving at some time in your lives, or wish you had, or hope you can ...
That post was so much fun, and I loved every one of your comments, laughing with you.
But on a more serious note, it gave me pause for thought.
I've never been an extreme "save the planet" girl ... but honestly, after maybe, or maybe not, seeing that sled in that dumpster, I've been kinda riled.
I keep picturing said sled buried under a mountain of dirt ... along with who knows what other treasures that could surely have a use for somebody, somewhere.
How many poor kids do you know, or read about, who could wake up on Christmas morning gleeful to find that thing waiting for them?
And the chair - with a small amount of work, that chair could be fixed and used as a child's chair.
There were a lot of books in the "too good to waste" that I may, or may not, have seen. Left behind.
And I keep thinking ... thinking about the homeless shelters right here in my town, and in your town. I've given a lot of things I no longer need to one of our homeless shelters - the lady who runs it helps homeless people get their lives back together, find a job, ride a bike to work, and eventually sets them up in an apartment.
Why couldn't she, and others like her, have weekly access to the dump?
Why couldn't there be a sign, "Reserved For Homeless Shelters."
Would people be more inclined to put a sled or a chair into an area like that?
Or would they continue to toss things into the dumpster, taking the easy way out?
Just wonderin'.
Mary
There is a place near me where the homeless are permitted to stay. I have taken food on various occasions and the police try to turn me away but end up letting me leave it. The last time I specifcally made 43 bags of food and had got 43 coats donated. I got turned away and made to take it all home. I guess I understand part of their reaasoning but much of that went to waste when someone could have used or eaten it.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog following you back :)
You make some good points. We routinely donate to Good Will but I wonder if I haven't thrown out some things that could have been fixed up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting last week. I am a bit behind on catching up on comments. Anyway, I am now following you back. Better late than never :) Have a good weekend!
We have become such a 'throwaway' society it saddens me. I am proud to say my kids recycle and reuse all the time. They think about the planet and what is going on. Wish more were like them...they are in their early 30's. It makes me sad to see things dumped that others could use. Great post.
ReplyDeleteSo true. We've been dirtying up this planet for so long with things that could easily be recycled or given away to others who WOULD use them (or need them). Following you...excited to read more of your thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteI really like your blog - I'm trying to get mine off the ground and was wondering if you could come check it out and consider following.
http://www.guitartrump.blogspot.com/
Hope you have an *amazing* day! :)
Alex
Thanks for following. There's nothing wrong with digging in the trash and finding something you can use! love it.
ReplyDeleteNew follower from blog hop, pls help our community to teach kids and women by following us at
ReplyDeletehttp://seemask.blogspot.com
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http://confessionofascrapaholic.blogspot.com
Also follow us on FB and twitter and leave msg so we can return the favor
Thanks
Returning the follow and thanks for the follow from you! :) I know what you mean. My father in law goes scrapping and finds all sorts of items people just get tired of that could be given to someone less fortunate. Great ideas!
ReplyDeleteJen
http://bobjenjack.blogspot.com
That is awesome what you did! Koodos to you!
ReplyDeleteI feel so strongly about how much stuff is wasted. I know I can do more, but I'm trying to reduce what we buy new. I take everything we can no longer use to Goodwill. I don't understand why more people don't do that instead of just dumping stuff that could be used again.
ReplyDeleteWe are such a throwaway society. It really is shameful. I love finding junk and repurposing it, so I guess I am doing my part just a little. Thanks so much for the follow and I am following you back 8-)
ReplyDeleteLaura
http://www.imsovintage.blogspot.com/
New follower, thank you for commenting on my blog :-)
ReplyDeleteI hear you, it's sometimes infuriating to see useful items junked like that. I also detest when people donate things that are so far gone that the items really ARE junk, and they just don't want to hassle with taking it to the dump!
~
Hi Mary, I am following you back. It was not easy to though...you should make your profile public and include a link to your blog...I had to search your blog name out on the internet to fine you!
ReplyDeleteAnna @ the Baby Store Plus
love your outlook. I usually try and make regular good will runs. I am a fan of giving to and getting from goodwill. the other day i bought three much needed picture frames from goodwill for total of $3.23!!! Love it!!!
ReplyDeletelook forward to reading more from your blog. I really like it. Thanks for following mine!!!! onesweetstory.blogspot.com
Yes. I totally agree with your point. My little girl nursery have a corner for recycle items..all the families in the neighborhood drop they recyclable items there and soon..instead of sending paper, plastics and glass, it turn into a dump side for spoiled furniture, frames, pots...at first I 'bought' those items (donate small amount into the nursery fund)... but then those things become too many for me to 'absorb'.. so, recently we started a yard sale instead..after helping to 'rework' the dump items..and now we enjoy so sweet 'earning' for the nursery from the waste!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog! I am more than a little behind on comments! I am your newest follower!
ReplyDeleteI love repurposing and remaking old things!
HI Mary! Oh, whatever happens at the dumpster stays at the dumpster! That's a very cute little sled and would look so cute all Christmased up during the Noel season! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
follow back thx for stopping by! to answer your question yes it does get as cold as they say in the movies lol i think this winter we went a week with 30-40 below at night but we dont get as much snow as in new england (were im from originally)but on the other hand it gets humid here in the summer thank godness for the 10,000 lakes :) today it was close to 90 and humid
ReplyDeleteI have definitively gotten things from the dumpster at apartment complex (its the best place to find things) but my hubby is never thrilled when I bring them home. Thanks for following my blog I'm returning the favor.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I am beginning to believe people won't make the extra effort of even a few steps if they have to seperate these items from their regulat garbage. I cringe at community events that don't even have ways to recycle cans and bottles. There are freecycle exchanges pretty much every where but people are afraid or inconvenienced to make a connection. With people suing each other and municipalities over any small thing just out of greed, there is hesitation to open themselves up for another battle.
ReplyDeleteStill, if those of us who are committed do whatever we can, we will make a difference.
And sharing how much fun it can be on social media and over blogs I know we can convert others.
we have to train them when they are young!
I know what you mean about just trashing stuff that another person could use.
ReplyDeleteMy mother in-law threw away so many good things after my father in-law died.
It wasn't laziness or not caring about giving to help. She truly was convinced it was trash that no one else would ever want. She and my father in-law had been in the ministry and believe me I saw them give, give, give over the years. So it just takes some convincing them that what's junk to one person isn't
necessarily junk to another.
I so used to Dumpster Dive. I would still do it if I could manuver around the dumpster! My kids used to slide down in the seats of the car, so their friends wouldn't see then going through the garbage!! I loved it!
ReplyDeleteGood points! We do what we can to keep things out of our landfill. We donate monthly, we re-use,share,recycle,up-cycle all kinds of things. We share this concern for our planet and its future with our grandchildren too. Hugs
ReplyDeleteWow, someone tossed that gorgeous sled? What were they thinking? Soooo glad you may or may not occasionally dumpster dive and save that wonderful sled! I would be in that dumpster in a heart beat pulling it out.
ReplyDeleteMary, thanks so much for you comment about the porch! It would be fun to see it in a print magazine. I've never submitted anything like that but maybe the porch would be a good one. :) You are a sweetheart for encouraging me to do that! Thanks sooo much for sharing it with friends...you are a dearheart and so appreciated! :)
Susan