Taking saving to the extreme - becoming a Freegan!

angelavdavis

I have picked up a few things skip diving - one particular success was a small metal stationery filing cabinet which although a bit rusty, was fine once it had been brushed down, primed and repainted silver. I still have it in my home office 12 years later!

Where I live, if you leave anything (and I mean anything) outside on the driveway, people knock to ask if they can have it. Over the last year, I have got rid of:

2 single mattresses
1 double mattress - I thought past its best for freecycle
Kettle - working but no longer switching off automatically
Fridge freezer (freezer not working - we told the guy but he said he would look at it)
Washing machine (working but on its last legs - hence not offered on freecycle - a local second hand appliance shop knocked to collect it for parts)
Dressing table stool
Sewing box storage stool
TV which wasn't working (again told the person collecting)

amanda40

We call it 'midgie rakeing' up here in scotland. Our waste recycling centre doesn't let you take anything, although they do put electricals to the side so I suspect they do sell on the side. It makes me mad when you see people throwing away prams, bikes garden toys etc that are all in really good nick. Havent they heard of charity shops?? In Shetland the council have a skip that goes round the different villages for so many weeks a year and most folk have a wee rake about (they love to recycle). One man was found in the bottom, having climbed in to retrieve a case of out of date beer, found he couldnt climb out again, so just drank the beer till he was rescued!!

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I have a friend who gets loads of stuff out of skips.
She has the most beautiful victoran fireplace courtesy of a skip.The man even helped her carry it to her house.
She's found chest's of drawers,coat racks,kitchen stuff and a lovely huge rug.
She has a home that is so shabby chic and as homely as you could ever want for almost nothing.
I just love the way that nothing matches but just so goes if you get what I mean.

Mollymop5

I haven't seen anything that has taken my fancy but think I'd be brave enough to ask these days

flutterbyuk25

My dad loves finding stuff in skips, when I was younger we lived near a small set of local shops (about 10) and over the years they got redeveloped and my dad got loads of stuff from the skips that was just being thrown out. Bookcases, desks, cabinets, old fashioned weighing scales etc.

Also, he also used to work next door to an Iceland store and when the store was throwing away food that was no longer sellable, he would get first dibs on the items, usually bread or potatoes. All perfectly edible.

x

mandragora_2

We get nearly enough wood from the skip at my husband's work to keep us warm through the winter - the blokes don't even put it in there any more, but by the side and let him know it's there!

grandmasam

when i visit ds3 and his family in germany, the larger household items are put on the side of the road on a weds evening, ready to be picked up on thursday, he and his family have some lovely stuff this way.Also its a great way to meet the neighbours, who often help to carry the heavy items

DDIL3 is german and had never done this before, but is now a convert. As im driving over this year i hope there will be some goodies for me to bring home.:j
caz

Trinny

Hi All

Just read the thread about when money saving goes too far - with people fishing things out of their kitchen bin and eating things past the sell by date.

I have a question - are any of the OS members dumpster divers - as in help themselves to freegan produce?

I am very interested in the concept - are there any hints, tips?

What is your biggest find if you have ever done a DD?

Trin

Penelope_Penguin

We have an exisitng thread on skip diving, so I'll add your question to that thread

Penny. x

maggie111

Penny, I do think skip diving is different to bin diving, in that skips are for household items, and people who are "freegans" dive in bins for food...

Just thought that difference might warrant a separate thread.