how to go through people's recycle

Hi everyone I was going through my block earlier this morning before the recycle is taken away thinking no one will see me on the block which is filled with nosy neighbors and I feel so embarrassed one neighbor saw me looking at his printer he threw out I was hungry enough to want to disassemble it but he just looked at me funny and I retrieved a laptop from the trash yesterday and I forgot to see what else was in another neighbors pile and when I went back this morning I had to turn back because there is a neighbor there that will judge me harshly for doing this. I had fun taking apart the 8 computers from the attic and I wanted to find more scrap metal. I do not drive so I had my wagon ready this morning but I couldn't finish looking on my block. How do you deal with the negative stigma of looking through other people's recycles? I wanted to supplement my limited income this way but I can't stand being judged so harshly if I had a car I would do it in a different neighborhood.

"How do you deal with the negative stigma of looking through other people's recycles?"

Easy, I don't. Who are they to judge? If you're not breaking any laws, enjoy what you're doing, and bring in a few bucks, who cares what they think. If they're gonna judge you over something like that, they're not truly your neighbor. They're just some a-hole that happens to live on the same block as you.

Don't get discouraged. Keep doing what you're doing and who knows. It may bring you enough to get a car for yourself one day. At the very least, you're making a few bucks and saving the environment. That's all that really matters.

When your being watched, just shout out with treasure in hand "WOW this is just what I needed".

A winning atmosphere is contagious.

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Originally Posted by Doggonecutsy

Hi everyone I was going through my block earlier this morning before the recycle is taken away thinking no one will see me on the block which is filled with nosy neighbors and I feel so embarrassed one neighbor saw me looking at his printer he threw out I was hungry enough to want to disassemble it but he just looked at me funny and I retrieved a laptop from the trash yesterday and I forgot to see what else was in another neighbors pile and when I went back this morning I had to turn back because there is a neighbor there that will judge me harshly for doing this. I had fun taking apart the 8 computers from the attic and I wanted to find more scrap metal. I do not drive so I had my wagon ready this morning but I couldn't finish looking on my block. How do you deal with the negative stigma of looking through other people's recycles? I wanted to supplement my limited income this way but I can't stand being judged so harshly if I had a car I would do it in a different neighborhood.

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If it makes you feel better donate 5% of your scrap cash to a charity. Can;t go wrong saving animals.

Just smile and wave........Have had people fill my whole truck when they saw me picking up items at the curb

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Originally Posted by mikeinreco

Just smile and wave........Have had people fill my whole truck when they saw me picking up items at the curb

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Cruising the allays of Edmonton with my 1 ton truck sometimes found people chasing after me to get me to clean out the garage from old transmissions, engines and other parts assortments that junior had left behind from using his parents garage to swap out an engine.

Those were the good old days before thieves spoiled it for everyone.

maybe they just dont know what youre looking into their trash for.

if u explain that u are looking for scrap metal & ewaste, maybe they will keep those items aside & call you to take them away
or maybe they may have even more stuff that will give to you.

all u need to do is ensure u dont make a mess anywhere.

that said, i agree that you get all kinds of people & some of your neighbours might just be those who dont want u going through their trash- for whatever reason.

You could consider getting some business cards printed. Then on a non-trash day, go knock on doors and introduce yourself. That way they can call you before they haul that water heater, next computer, battery, or whatever to the curb.

2nd the smile and wave technique.
Usually get a smile or wave back and it's oddly satisfying when they frown even more.... Haters gonna hate.
Ain't nothing wrong about making an honest buck....

Warning in many(most) communities removing anything from a recycle bin is a crime. Don't break the law it is not worth it. Keep reading the old threads they will show you opportunities you can't currently see. You will be well rewarded for your time and effort. 73, Mike


Oh and on those who may look down on you for scraping. Feed yourself, pay your rent, pay your bills and rejoice in your success. Mike

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Originally Posted by Doggonecutsy

Hi everyone I was going through my block earlier this morning before the recycle is taken away thinking no one will see me on the block which is filled with nosy neighbors and I feel so embarrassed one neighbor saw me looking at his printer he threw out I was hungry enough to want to disassemble it but he just looked at me funny and I retrieved a laptop from the trash yesterday and I forgot to see what else was in another neighbors pile and when I went back this morning I had to turn back because there is a neighbor there that will judge me harshly for doing this. I had fun taking apart the 8 computers from the attic and I wanted to find more scrap metal. I do not drive so I had my wagon ready this morning but I couldn't finish looking on my block. How do you deal with the negative stigma of looking through other people's recycles? I wanted to supplement my limited income this way but I can't stand being judged so harshly if I had a car I would do it in a different neighborhood.

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New Yorkers are naturally suspicious. They teach it in school. So, when they see you looking through their stuff, their first thought is "what the heck is going on here?". I would elaborate o a couple of previous posts and say get a t-shirt printed that says something like "Doggonecutsy Recycling" (or whatever name you like) on it. Also have some cards made and when you see someone outside, whether it is trash day or not, go up and tell them that you are recycling materials to help support yourself and would appreciate them sharing any materials that they do not want any longer. Then follow up on collection day (when they see you) with a wave and maybe a "woohoo". Their skepticism will turn to a desire to share in your joy and desire to better your life.

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Originally Posted by alloy2

If it makes you feel better donate 5% of your scrap cash to a charity. Can;t go wrong saving animals.

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agreed there for sure=)

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Originally Posted by miked

Warning in many(most) communities removing anything from a recycle bin is a crime. Don't break the law it is not worth it. Keep reading the old threads they will show you opportunities you can't currently see. You will be well rewarded for your time and effort. 73, Mike


Oh and on those who may look down on you for scraping. Feed yourself, pay your rent, pay your bills and rejoice in your success. Mike

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hm strange i thought once it hit the curb its public domain no matter if its in a bin or not as long as you dont make a mess. say like it you tear open a garbage bag then you should get fined other than that it should be fine.

Take your wagon and paint it up. Put e-waste removal or something like that right on the side. Get some cards. Also dont forget to smile and wave. That how you get more customers

play music that will get you noticed! https://youtu.be/PIoboEuepyA

One municipality actually had a "garbage police" person until was cut from budget. Sometimes the real police will hassle you.

"Pickin" is generally illegal around here. Funny that once it's at the curb,belongs to the municipality, or so I have been advised. Depends what's on the cops plate as they make their rounds. Been passed by with a full truck, and been hassled with an empty truck just for stopping at curbco.

Although i don't do it often, I follow a basic principal for curbco- no mess, no noise. Find something that's wanted attached to something else, I take it all. No loud noise, move on .

Going through people's cans or totes is not feasible, usually driving at 15-20 mph. If there is a stop made, I'll take a quick peek, otherwise just moving along.

IMO what causes these codes and regulations are people that make a mess and noise, like smashing stuff late evening. Dogs bark,etc. WTF says homeowner and they phone in a complaint. I guess some folks don't know any better. No wonder people get po'd.

On the other hand, people have flagged me down to offer me things many times.

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Originally Posted by miked

Warning in many(most) communities removing anything from a recycle bin is a crime. Don't break the law it is not worth it. Keep reading the old threads they will show you opportunities you can't currently see. You will be well rewarded for your time and effort. 73, Mike


Oh and on those who may look down on you for scraping. Feed yourself, pay your rent, pay your bills and rejoice in your success. Mike

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Wow I had no idea. Thanks for warning me I figured once it is outside the house and on the curb it is considered public domain. What about if it is next to the recycle bin since the item is too big to go inside of it? Thank you for the well wishes!

Thank you everyone for your encouragement I won't let my neighbors make me feel this way anymore.

Where in New York are you?

In New York City everything at the curb belongs to the City.

The NYC Sanitation Police enforce the laws and will arrest and fine you.

NYC Sanitation Police Go On Regular Prowl For Sidewalk Scavengers « CBS New York

Isn't amazing just how much more it costs to get rid of stuff in the great NYC. Out here in the sticks we don't pay police officers to chase after folks recycling/reusing/reselling abandoned stuff.

Only in the mind of a progressive politician can paying cops to chase folks just recycling abandoned property make sense. 73 to you NYC folks. Mike

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Originally Posted by hobo finds

play music that will get you noticed! https://youtu.be/PIoboEuepyA

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lol wow where do you come upp with this stuff=)

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Originally Posted by miked

Isn't amazing just how much more it costs to get rid of stuff in the great NYC. Out here in the sticks we don't pay police officers to chase after folks recycling/reusing/reselling abandoned stuff.

Only in the mind of a progressive politician can paying cops to chase folks just recycling abandoned property make sense. 73 to you NYC folks. Mike

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yeah its like that here to it you dont make a mess i see no probs with doing it nothing wrong with lifting the lid and seeing if there is anything on top thats what i do.

thats how i got a computer battery backup mind you the lid was already open so no harm there=) i wish peope would call me that way i dont miss any window a/c's that they have cause i dont check regularly=(

When your being watched, just shout out with treasure in hand "WOW this is just what I needed".

A winning atmosphere is contagious.

lol

I'm in the borough of Queens in New York City. So how can I collect scrap if it is against the law I don't want to be fined it is not worth it if that is the case.

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Originally Posted by Doggonecutsy

I'm in the borough of Queens in New York City. So how can I collect scrap if it is against the law I don't want to be fined it is not worth it if that is the case.

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Go down to the police station and ask if it is legal or not and if there are any permits or things you must get in order to scrap.

NYC is know far and wide for making it difficult to open and operate a business. I think you should contact businesses and ask them for their scrap. Under stand that you will have lots of competition for scrap metal. I expect you may need to specialize in an area of the business. You've mentioned you don't have a truck or a storage area to work with. Keep reading the old threads you will begin to recognize opportunities. 73, Mike

PS when calling on businesses you are selling your service(what ever type scrapping you intend to do)

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Originally Posted by hobo finds

Go down to the police station and ask if it is legal or not and if there are any permits or things you must get in order to scrap.

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NYC doesn't work that way.

The regular NYC police have nothing to do with NYC sanitation laws. The NYS sanitation departmaent has their own sanitation police to enforce sanitation laws.

You can read the laws here:

DSNY - About - Illegal Dumping + Theft Of Recycling Laws

In paticular:

Theft of Residential Recyclable Material

Except for an authorized employee or agent of DSNY, it shall be unlawful for any person to disturb, remove, or transport by motor vehicle any amount of recyclable material placed out at curbside, within the stoop line, or in front of the premises for collection or removal by DSNY.

Penalties for this offense include a fine and vehicle impoundment. Both the owner and driver of the vehicle are liable for theft of recyclable material.

Fine: $500–$1000 (Operator); $500–$1000 (Owner) plus Vehicle Impoundment

Removal of DSNY-marked or Refrigerant-Containing Item—Fine: $750–$1500 (Operator); $500–$1000 (Owner) plus Vehicle Impoundment

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Originally Posted by Doggonecutsy

I'm in the borough of Queens in New York City. So how can I collect scrap if it is against the law I don't want to be fined it is not worth it if that is the case.

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You can read the New York City laws here:

DSNY - About - Illegal Dumping + Theft Of Recycling Laws

In paticular:

Theft of Residential Recyclable Material

Except for an authorized employee or agent of DSNY, it shall be unlawful for any person to disturb, remove, or transport by motor vehicle any amount of recyclable material placed out at curbside, within the stoop line, or in front of the premises for collection or removal by DSNY.

Penalties for this offense include a fine and vehicle impoundment. Both the owner and driver of the vehicle are liable for theft of recyclable material.

Fine: $500–$1000 (Operator); $500–$1000 (Owner) plus Vehicle Impoundment

Removal of DSNY-marked or Refrigerant-Containing Item—Fine: $750–$1500 (Operator); $500–$1000 (Owner) plus Vehicle Impoundment


If you want to scrap in NYC you have to develop relationships with people/businesses to give you scrap.

You also need signed, dated, detailed receipts to prove the scrap items were given to you and not picked off the curb.

Pictures of people giving you the scrap items would also be a good idea.