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Would you or wouldn't you?

| Scrap Business Ethics
  1. #1
    nchooks started this thread.
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    Would you or wouldn't you?

    Stopped by the local home improvement store yesterday for a few things. Out front is a bin to recycle old power tool batteries. Hanging out of the top was some wire. I looked in and on top was an old light ballast. Quite large and heavy. Yes I picked it up with thought of taking it for my scrap pile. A couple of seconds later I put it back in the bin. It was on the store's property although not technically inside the store. So I'm wondering would this be ethical to take it? The other reason reason I left it was the label was worn and I couldn't find "no PCB's" on it. On the other hand the bin was for batteries, not ballasts. Any thoughts from others?


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    jimicrk's Avatar
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    Well my first thought would be that you thought it was wrong because you put it back and posted here asking us what we would do.

    Second, the bins are for people to put things into and not to remove.

    If you are interested go talk to the store manager and ask them if you can remove items from the bins. It could possibly lead to a regular source of scrap.

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  4. #3
    matador's Avatar
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    Somewhere, something inside of you told you that it was wrong. That's enough for me right there.

    It's just not worth crossing a grey line. I'd talk to the manager, too- the worst case scenerio puts you exactly where you are right now, anyways....
    More than Scrap Value Shipment Tips: http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/scrap...tml#post242349

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  6. #4
    nchooks started this thread.
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    Thanks for the replies. I been through some ethics classes in my workplace, one of the first things they tell you is if it dosen't feel right then it probably isn't right. I thought about asking the manager but was in a bit of a rush. I've read through several threads about removing items from curbside recycling bins. It does seem like a grey area. Thanks again for the response.

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  8. #5
    hobo finds's Avatar
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    Get with the manager and ask... I am sure more things get put in there and they just throw them away. I don't think they will part with what they are suppose to be collecting to recycle but the other items, and other things in the store yes, they may want to get rid them instead of trashing them.

    Also just cause you picked it up and put it back you did nothing wrong. How about the guy on the side of the road picking up cans or metal, picks up trash by mistake... should he now keep it to dispose of later? Or drop it back to the ground where he found it?
    Last edited by hobo finds; 05-02-2015 at 06:04 PM.

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  10. #6
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    They've got cameras everywhere. A good friend of mine use to work at Target and she said that they have over a thousand cameras there. Seriously, you go in and talk to the manager, give him a business card and get phone calls.
    "It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage." Indiana Jones - Raiders of the Lost Ark

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    I agree with many of the replies above, open up a line of communication with the store manager and give him a business card.

    Every new contact established is a new opportunity for you.

    Good luck with your scrapping.

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  13. #8
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    I see no reason to ask about the recycling bin, it is private property and there for a purpose, that purpose I'm sure is to promote the stores "green" policies. A lot of times these bins attract a lot of items other than what they were intended for. So ask to speak to the manager or their designated person tasked with recycling, you would be allowing that person to do his/her job. Might lead to bigger items than "whats in the box?".

    As for asking is it right or wrong? Almost always if your gut, heart or brain is allowed to speak for you, then you have your answer. Any other answer, could make you seem like a A$$!

    (7 month old question? so I took the bait!).
    Last edited by bigburtchino; 01-11-2016 at 07:40 AM.

  14. #9
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    my view is this:
    one is the law
    and the other is justice

    sometimes, despite the law saying one thing, your heart/conscience tells you something else
    cos its humans like us who made the law- and sometimes what the law says is just not the right thing to do every time.

    and in a case like this, its not like youre directly killing or harming anyone.

    i always listen to my conscience as far as possible
    even if it means that occasionally i go against the law (just dont let any police etc be around- cos they wont agree with your conscience).

    a lot of the time, laws are passed or amended only because some crooked/greedy company wants things to be a certain way because it gives them some kind of advantage.

    so just because its the law, it doesnt mean its always the right thing to do

    some of you may feel differently.
    Last edited by msmoorad; 01-11-2016 at 08:31 AM.

  15. #10
    BDAScrapper's Avatar
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    Ask before taking. In a world where so many take liberties with other people's possessions, it's refreshing to be asked permission. You never know, this could be the start of a collection point.

    You our may also have been about to cut another scrapers lunch, who knows.



    Kudos for for putting it back and following your gut.
    If it's not bolted down it's mine, if it's bolted down and I can pry it up.....it's still mine....


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