r/Anticonsumption • u/ballchinion8 • 1d ago
Landfill finds Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
Hey yall as promised I would try to post landfill finds. These are some I found this week. I've found a Disney mono rail, Vintage Mickey phone, a blue glass jar (filled with loose change I've found in the last 9 months or so), glass jugs, an air plane propeller, and a lightly used rock tumbler. These are just the items I've saved for myself (yes I bleach) I didn't have time to take pictures of everything I've put in the reuse this week. Dvds, home decor, records, end tables, etc. I also did find a nice Bose cd player this week, sounds incredible, but left that at the shop. Anyways, I'll try to post weekly of awesome finds. (It's the slow season so things aren't as good)
201
u/PedricksCorner 1d ago
Our landfill has a shop called "Last Chance Mercantile" where they sell anything that isn't too damaged. It is amazing what one can find there. Even windows and doors.
100
u/ballchinion8 1d ago
I like that! We don't sell, ours is free. We have daily regulars that "shop"
38
u/FancyFrosting6 1d ago
Ours is free too-called the swap shack. We've given and we've taken. Great concept.
30
u/LimitGroundbreaking2 1d ago
How would we go about finding our local landfill and if they have any kind of āshopā. Nj based if that means anything. Likely not as progressive ideas like such compared to the likes of California
19
u/ballchinion8 1d ago
The east coast I believe is very advanced in recycling. I'd just call em.
7
u/LimitGroundbreaking2 19h ago
But who do I call specifically when I look up waste management and such there is a lot of options. Would I call my township landfill?
10
u/ballchinion8 19h ago
NJ county landfill in Google. Ask to talk to the landfill supervisor. Mine here is very friendly and extremely knowledgeable in waste
5
u/LimitGroundbreaking2 18h ago
Thanks. Hope I didnāt come off brash or anything. I just felt it wasnāt so clear cut for my situation
7
u/ballchinion8 17h ago
No i don't get offended by anything my friend! That's how it works at the landfill I work at. He takes calls all the time!
3
u/LimitGroundbreaking2 17h ago
Glad to hear it. Just wanted to clarify that there wasnāt ill intent
9
u/JustChattin000 1d ago
You pull stuff out for people or they dig through the landfill?
20
u/ballchinion8 1d ago
I pull. If not I'd have thousands of people I'd bet crawling around the trash with the ebay app out lol
3
u/ParticularFig 13h ago
Is this concept like a ātip shopā? Iām just trying to better understand so that I may find such a place near where i live!
7
u/ballchinion8 6h ago
No it's entirely free. I work for the tax payer and the tax payer wants me to conserve landfill airspace by recycling and reusing as much as possible.
3
274
60
u/marswhispers 1d ago
Damn you could run a great table at a consignment shop
91
u/ballchinion8 1d ago
I've been told but I don't want to get into all that, I save cool things as much as I can. Sometimes my buddies will tell me to keep an eye out for something and will have me over for dinner in exchange. That's good enough for me. I put items in the reuse area as much as possible. We've saved 40tons in 2024 from the reuse area
26
u/marswhispers 1d ago
I respect the love of the game, Iām just jealous our local landfill stopped letting people pick anything
26
u/ballchinion8 1d ago
I hear ya, I sometimes get hate for it but at the end of the day I'm the one crawling threw trash saving items. I don't see anyone else applying lmao š¤£
2
51
u/CarryHandleEnjoyer 1d ago
How are you able to do this? My local landfill has a strict āNo Scavengingā policy
105
u/ballchinion8 1d ago
My county doesn't like reusable items taking up airspace. We've saved 40 tons in items alone in 2024. That's not including the scrap or cardboard or recyclables we've saved. Our county actually cares about the environment for the most part and wants to set a new standard. We just got awarded a grant to expand our reuse area with additional storage
23
u/CarryHandleEnjoyer 1d ago
Very cool. I wish my county was the same
36
16
u/ahcomcody 1d ago
Absolutely talk to them at least! The worst they say is no. Fight for the change you want to see!
9
u/hisshissmeow 1d ago
Do most landfills have a reuse area? Iāve seen where people will sometimes leave still-usable items next to a dumpster at the actual dump, but Iāve never been to a landfill before and now Iām interested!
11
u/ballchinion8 1d ago
Hit or miss. Sadly, it seems like overseas ones are good for it while America slacks.
8
u/hisshissmeow 1d ago
That seems to be a rule not just for landfills, but many other things š
10
u/ballchinion8 1d ago
It's not all bad. Most European countries send electronic recycling to Asia and they process them in super toxic ways. I think the US needs improvement but definitely not the worse. Our state just banned copper scrapping without a license. It's been a week into the new year and I've already seen a MASSIVE increase in people throwing it away vs recycling. Our state did this statewide because of copper theft in 2 crime-ridden counties. Now I'm working harder to save precious metals from being buried.
2
u/adventuressgrrl 18h ago
Iām really enjoying all your replies, and am impressed by your finds! What state are you in?
1
16
u/inside-outdoorsman 1d ago
Is there a chance the track could bend??
12
u/_peacemonger_ 1d ago
Not on your life, my reddit friend.
7
u/clangan524 1d ago
What about us brain dead slobs (that throw perfectly good items in the trash?)
4
5
4
14
u/brightfuckinorange 1d ago
That propeller is an amazing find. I canāt read the full serial number on your picture, but from what I can see Iād guess this dates back to the 1940s. Iāve seen ones like this go for $500-$800.
15
u/ballchinion8 1d ago
Going on the kids wall! Haha they get something new everytime I get em. They almost expect it now. When they grow out of something, I give it away. Circle of life
1
u/mushyspider 10h ago
I have one in my daughterās room. Mounted it so it can turn, but safe enough to hold an adults body weight.
14
u/BeeBench 1d ago
I got one of those rocktumblers as a kid for Christmas once, it was really fun.
17
u/ballchinion8 1d ago
I was about to get one, manifested this one haha. So close to buying one and I said nah I'll find one. I did the next day or so
10
u/makingcacarnlol 1d ago
omg i was waiting for this post, this stuff is awesome
9
u/ballchinion8 1d ago
Well, I'll try to keep it up. It's the slow season, but that just gives me more time to be thorough.
12
9
u/Gas-Empty 1d ago
That rock tumbler is expensive. $80. My son got one for Christmas from super generous grandparents. It's been running non-stop for eight days. š« Great results. Solid find.
7
u/mangocalrissian 1d ago
Oh man my mom had one of those big ass coin jugs growing up. She damn near filled that thing before finally cashing in.
9
u/Electrical-Eye4589 1d ago
How often is it people actually throw away things in completely fine condition from your experience?
28
u/ballchinion8 1d ago
Daily. For instance, guy on Wednesday brought in a pellet smoker. Said it wasn't working. I said did you check the fuse? Auger clogged? He said, "I don't care, I got a new one. " he left, I got the voltmeter out, just a fuse. Switch works great. Replaced the fuse, put in some pellets, fired right up. Nothing wrong with it, just needed a fuse.
18
u/SkyRaisin 1d ago
I just picked up two Dyson handheld vacuums off the street. One needs a battery (less than half the cost of a new device) and the other needs a new filter.
Crazy.
6
u/BowsersMuskyBallsack 1d ago
Growing up poor, my dad and I often would go to the local rubbish tip, and find great wood for woodworking/carpentry, glassware, furniture, etc, that had been thrown out most likely because they no longer fit the decor of whatever renovation was going on. So many of my toys growing up were also sourced from there.
8
u/Right_Hour 1d ago
Our landfills absolutely prohibit scavenging. So stupid.
12
u/ballchinion8 1d ago
Yea we don't allow our residents to do it. Employees only. Trust me, we have a good crew with a good eye. 40 tons of items were saved from the landfill last year and put back until the reuse area. It's so successful we are expanding efforts
4
3
u/AgileInternet167 1d ago
Dont throw the coins in the glass. I had that same bottle from a thrift store. Got it around 10% full until it shattered, covering the ground with glass.
3
u/ballchinion8 1d ago
Too much weight for it ya reckon?
5
u/AgileInternet167 22h ago
No, its every time a coin drops it makes a teeny tiny fracture. That ads up.
2
u/ahcomcody 1d ago
Thereās some dumpsters where I live, Iām on an overseas military base, and there is an electronics bin. Iāve rummaged through it quite a bit and found some nice finds!
2
u/Flipflopsfordays 1d ago
My hubby and Iās parentsā houses both still have a Mickey phone. We had the one with a lamp
3
2
u/NoDontDoThatCanada 19h ago
Carboy! How was that whole? I don't get any good shit at ours. Except a buddy got like 3 bullet proof vests the police tossed. The 4th was already shot up. Is an old vest better than no vest?
2
3
u/yamxiety 18h ago
Serious question: how do you avoid becoming a hoarder?
2
u/ballchinion8 17h ago
I only take what I need or what others need. If I bring something home that my kids don't like or I no longer need, I donate it back. It's gotta be pretty cool if I take something home though
2
u/owenxtreme2 10h ago
Who in there right mind would throw out disney memorabilia it's worth hundreds
1
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Read the rules. Keep it courteous. Submission statements are helpful and appreciated but not required. Use the report button only if you think a post or comment needs to be removed. Mild criticism and snarky comments don't need to be reported. Lets try to elevate the discussion and make it as useful as possible. Low effort posts & screenshots are a dime a dozen. Links to scientific articles, political analysis, and video essays is preferred.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
2
u/cheesy_friend 1d ago
Do you decontaminate for bedbugs after? I'd be really careful friendo
1
u/ballchinion8 1d ago
I bleach everything and leave it outside. Yesterday it was 15f. Bed bugs don't typically like plastic or glass. The propeller I'm not worried about. A Denali dropped it off straight into the reuse area and into my truck. I don't bring cloth items home or fabric. Plus you can see bugs š we don't have termites in the northern states only damn mosquitos in the warm months
1
u/ywnktiakh 22h ago
Wait, you can get things from the landfill? Like a u-pull-it junkyard?
1
u/ballchinion8 21h ago
I gotta edit my post lol no we have a reuse area. We don't allow residents to crawl in the trash
1
u/ywnktiakh 21h ago
lol okay I understand. I got so excited about that idea but then I thought about it and I was like waitā¦ that would be so dangerous lmao
1
u/thepoopworker 22h ago
I worked at the hazardous waste depo and it is crazy what people will get rid of. I took a lot of stuff home. A friend still works at the landfill and she usually sends me pictures of stuff that I may be interested in.
1
1
u/Strong-Seaweed-8768 21h ago
Those are some awesome finds. I like the Disney Monorail. I didnāt know you could go to landfills and look for things.Ā
1
1
u/American_Greed 21h ago
My dad had one of those old glass water jugs filled with coins too. He was going to redeem it one day and as soon as he moved it it split right in two.
1
1
u/Euphoric_Strength_64 20h ago
If that Mickey Phone is vintage and not a repro and in working condition then its worth 200$+
1
1
1
1
u/4got2takemymeds 19h ago
That propeller is pretty sweet.
Would make a nice wall fixture or you could flip it to collectors
1
u/ballchinion8 19h ago
I never flip. I think things we don't need or use should just be given to the less fortunate. What they do with it is on them š
2
u/4got2takemymeds 19h ago edited 18h ago
I totally respect that and enjoy the repurposing of perfectly good items that people typically consider trash.
but it's a wooden airplane propeller lol
The other things actually have value and can be repurposed and used regularly. I don't know too many needy and unfortunate people who are in need of a propeller.
What if you use the money and donate it all to local charities? Same with some of the antique items you may come across.
The Mickey mouse telephone is a great example of another item that would be sought after by collectors and would provide you with money that you would be able to give to help people.
Also if you're selling these things to collectors you can pretty much be assured that it's not going to be disposed of and someone who is willing to pay for such an item would probably maintain it and keep it as a part of their collection for many years.
It's a win-win if you ask me
2
1
u/ballchinion8 19h ago
I'd almost want to start my own charity. I have trust issues with them. So I just take what I like and put other items in the reuse area. We've saved 40tons in items last year from being buried. That's just items that's not the scrap I pull or recycling
1
u/4got2takemymeds 18h ago
It's not very difficult to vet charities with public record information available online. Maybe a little time-consuming, but if you are in a position and have the time to set up your own organization or non-profit, and have the ability to cover all the tax and legal documents go for it.
Large organizations helping on a national or global scale are going to make it difficult for you to see exactly how your money is helping, but grassroots local non-profits and organizations will definitely redistribute that charity to your actual neighbors and those in your community who need help.
You can also reach out to local charities and organizations that you do trust and see how you can contribute. If you want to help the people in your community that's the best way to go about it.
Either way you are doing good.
1
1
1
u/yellowjacquet 18h ago
Wow awesome find for the wooden airplane prop. I have a small collection of them, and theyāre very difficult to find. Itās so sad that it was thrown away, Iām glad you saved it!!
1
u/The-Tadfafty 18h ago
Our local landfill does not let anybody look at anything, there's even security.
1
u/ballchinion8 17h ago
We don't just let the common man come in and dig. We employees set aside items for reuse area as we go
1
u/SunOnTheMountains 18h ago
I donāt understand why someone was throwing away the coins. Thatās currency.
1
u/ballchinion8 17h ago
Not all those came at once lol that's just what I've found on the ground in the past year
1
1
1
u/letsseeaction 17h ago
Fyi If you don't want to hold onto the big glass jug, you can throw it on marketplace or Craigslist for at least $20 as a carboy. Homebrewers and winemakers would scoop that up quick.
1
u/ballchinion8 16h ago
I saved it for my buddy. He's loaning me his ice shack for a weekend. Fair trade!
1
1
u/RainSmile 16h ago
Genuine question: How do you recommend sanitizing this stuff without potentially ruining it? (I mean aside from the obvious of washing clothes lol)
1
1
1
1
1
u/Cat_Panda_Canda 14h ago edited 14h ago
Wonder if that prop can be restored or if it's past that point
Edit to add: a family member had the same prop restored. I showed it to him. He said you can find the year of manufacture by the serial number that's on it
1
u/ballchinion8 14h ago
I'll get back to you when I can on it. Too cold to run to garage
1
u/Cat_Panda_Canda 14h ago
Understandable and no hurry! I appreciate it. Those props are gorgeous when made like new. Mainly the brass? Leading edges.
1
u/AdventurousRule4198 6h ago
Funny enough, my family use to have a Mickey Mouse phone. My dad use to be a principle at a highschool and he gave it to the school. It still works to this day and is super cool.
1
-1
u/Comrade-smash514 1d ago
Hoarding at this point š stay safe
5
u/ballchinion8 1d ago
Nah, if I don't like it after awhile it goes to someone else. It could very easily turn into that though.
228
u/Septopuss7 1d ago
I want that monorail so bad