If you happened to see my FB post yesterday, then you will know about this score I found.  Literally, in a dumpster:

I know these chairs are ugly, but each one of them was in PERFECT condition.

The person who had to actually heft each of these into the dumpster had to exert more effort than calling a local thrift shop, who would have come to their residence to pick them up!

Yesterday, after reading everyone’s remarks on FB, I spent some time thinking about how disposable we are as a culture.  I have thought about this since the day I had my first child.  My kids have never known anything but a disposable culture.  It hasn’t been easy to teach them that when things break, they don’t automatically get replaced.  When you no longer like a piece of clothing, it doesn’t mean you get to be rid of it and purchase another in its place. Give it away yes, always replace it immediately?  No.

I am no means trying to stand on a soap box here

Since I have begun dumpster diving in earnest, I have been AMAZED at what people will just toss out.

I know many things are broken.  People do not have the skills, or time to fix things.   I know most thrift stores will not take things in poor condition.

I am talking about the all the things that get thrown out, that are perfectly fine.

Here are some of the things I have found, that were really just fine, ugly, but still good!

Now, if everyone stopped throwing things into dumpsters, I would be out of  a hobby and even some income.

Perhaps we can find a middle ground?  I am far more delighted to find something slightly damaged, that truly would not be taken by a charitable organization than I am things that are completely whole, just ugly.

That’s my two cents for the day.  I would love to hear what you may have found by the roadside, your neighbors trash, or even a dumpster that was perfectly fine, no damage, just ugly.