The Great Debate is on again……
Not that this debate is of international or even national importance. In fact, many people wouldn’t give it a second thought but for those of us with a shabby heart we owe it to ourselves to consider the options.
So what is this Great Debate?
Why of course it is the….
Woo whoo…..doing the happy dance!! My council are having their bi-annual hard waste collection this week. This means we can place any unwanted goods on our nature strip (kerbside for my US friends) for our council to collect throughout the week. The great debate arises because it is actually illegal to remove items from the piles of trash because the nature strip is considered council land.
For some, the risk of prosecution is not a deterrent and they blatantly drive around looking for treasure filling their cars with other peoples discarded hard waste.
Unfortunately, I am not one of those people who can unashamedly wander the streets picking up pieces of interest. I have to sneak around incognito with a pounding heart, looking over my shoulder the whole time fully expecting the hand of the law to clasp my quivering shoulder at any moment.
…yes, some real treasures!!!
My best find so far has to be this Captains chair. With the exception of the rattan seat it is in excellent condition and will make a lovely addition to my veranda when repaired.
This weekend has seen an unusual amount of slow driving vehicles perusing our streets in the hope of finding something useful. With so many people interested in scavenging through other peoples trash wouldn’t it be a neat idea to make the whole thing legal.
Kris Meares - Tag Along Teddies says
Hey Kerryanne! I have just one thing to say – “Who was that masked man … errr… woman … errrr … dog!!!” Tee! Hee! Hee! Am envious of the ladder – I’ve been looking for a nice old timber ladder for ages, but only seem to find them in stores with high price tags on! Ah well! Glad you’ve had a fun weekend – so have I, but haven’t had time to write about it on my blog yet – stay tuned!!! Bear Hugs! KRIS (Tag Along Teddies)
Linda says
Hi Kerryanne,
That is a fab idea. I’m like you, always nervous about taking something out of the pile, even though everyone does it. Happy bargin hunting.
Cheers Linda
Adla says
Oh Kerryane, disguised yourself you did well and in style, I wouldn’t have recognized you from a mile * cough cough* and the stepping ladder was worth the effort I must say. We have those days too in Perth and my neighbours have thrown some things I’ve picked up and my hubby thinks I’m nuts but they proven quite useful to me. Haha! I’m a junkie for treasures too. Cheers to LEGALIZING this event!
Melanie says
I am a hard rubbish collector and cannot fathom what the councils problem is and I know some people live in the hope that their now out of fashion but in perfect condition couch will go to a good home at hard rubbish time. The fact is , they dont. A gorgeous 6′ x 6′ solid timber dresser went into the back of a truck and got squashed before I could grab a son or 2 to help me carry it home. Such a waste. I even knocked on the owners door to see if he could help me drag it back in. He wasnt home:( oh well. long live people who keep our landfill empty. Down with the councils that want to fill it. Well done with your loot!!
Cindy@Cutepinkstuff says
So funny! My best find and most embarrassing curbside scavenge was when I was 8 months pregnant and in my pajamas. I dropped off my son at school. Running late, I was still in my pajamas when I zeroed in on a wood two-seat deck chair. My visions of fresh white paint and pretty cushions gave me the strength to drag and lift my heavy treasure into the back of my suburban without anyone seeing me! Why did my treasure have to be located across the street from my son’s school? No matter. I still have my treasure and have enjoyed it for 5 years so far! Great post and great finds, Kerryanne!
Linda and Laura Lilly Cottage says
Hi Kerryanne, oh you do make me laugh!!! It isn’t illegal in our area to collect from the roadside pick up…it is encouraged as it is called recycling and it stops it from becoming land fill!!! It is so heart wrenching to see the big trucks come and gather up so much stuff into the muncher. I love love love collecting on these days. We took Laura a couple of years ago on her first ever pick up and she was very inconspicious in high heels!!! We couldn’t really pass ourselves off as just go for a walk around the neigbourhood!! Even though it is more than legal to collect you still feel like a bit of a scab!! Just a bit though not enough to deter you!! Kiss noises Linda Lilly Cottage.
Kari & Kijsa says
Love a little scavenging!! we have asked before to pull a bed from the trash, and while the people said yes, they looked at us with the funniest expressions!!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
PAINT MINE PINK says
Oh you’re so funny Kerryanne. I have no inhibitions when it comes to roadside scabbing, LOL. Take me with you next time…you can hide in the bushes (or better yet, drive the getaway car).
Thanks for the giggle, you crack me up!
xo
Shann
Gail McCormack says
Hi Kerryanne or should I say Agent 99.
Now apparentely the council claim they sub contract the hard rubbish out to collectors, the contract collectors get upset when people scavange through the rubbish, take the good stuff, make a mess and leave the real rubbish, they say the main gripe is with the metal hardrubbish, there is a huge amount to be made by the contractors on this side, if they’re left with little fiddly bits of waste to collect they say it’s not worth their while…..??? Not sure what to think???
Mandii says
What an awesome entry!! Gypsy looks’s so funny!! gave me a little chuckle!! hey Im with you I’d be snooping around at night! EEKKS!! knowing me I’d get caught though!!
Hugs
mands
Alicia ~ Time Worn Style says
HA!! Oh yes I too am a kerb side collector. You may have seen me in my hat and sunnies on your travels too! Best find for me, a full set of 1950’s slatted wooden outdoor setting. I have it sitting outside my studio door, its gorgeous!
Alicia ~ time worn style