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Dumpster diving now illegal in NYC?

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LAN_403

Conundrum

Fri Jul 16 2010, 06:15PM

Registered Member #96 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
Location: CI, Earth
Posts: 4061

um.. what in heck? i was also under the impression that "if its on the kerb and clearly non functioning its fair game", at least it is over here.

If that had been me I would have flat out refused to pay them a penny on a matter of principle, and gone public with the story.

This guy should do the same IMHO, some people try to do their bit for the environment and get punished for it.

Same as the ridiculous Â£200 "bin fines" in the UK, for putting rubbish out a day early and suchlike.

Comments?
-A

Sulaiman

Fri Jul 16 2010, 08:54PM

Registered Member #162 Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 10:25AM
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3140

AFAIK (

and Find 'rubbish' ) in the UK taking from a bin/skip/dump is illegal without permission.

radiotech

Fri Jul 16 2010, 09:37PM

Registered Member #2463 Joined: Wed Nov 11 2009, 03:49AM
Location:
Posts: 1546

Way back when....living two blocks from a telephone exchange trash day meant free wire, relay coils, batteries, tubes, parts of phones (replaced as part of scheduled maintenance with much life left). As long as we didn't make a mess or get chased away with a broom.

Myke

Sat Jul 17 2010, 01:15AM

Registered Member #540 Joined: Mon Feb 19 2007, 07:49PM
Location: MIT
Posts: 969

I'm wondering how taking trash from the curb costs the city money. If anything, I'm especially surprised it's as much as $300,000.

ScotchTapeLord

Sat Jul 17 2010, 02:13AM

Registered Member #1875 Joined: Sun Dec 21 2008, 06:36PM
Location:
Posts: 635

Good thing I carry my salvaged stuff home on foot.

Hon1nbo

Sat Jul 17 2010, 06:04AM

Registered Member #902 Joined: Sun Jul 15 2007, 08:17PM
Location: North Texas
Posts: 1040

they sell stuff to Recyclers, which doesn't make sense because the city surely doesn't take the time to sort through regular garbage and oversize pickups for recyclables, and each machine would require individual organizing and sale to recyclers because of different materials/hazards

-Jimmy

Killa-X

Sat Jul 17 2010, 06:56AM

Registered Member #1643 Joined: Mon Aug 18 2008, 06:10PM
Location:
Posts: 1039

Not sure what it is in Michigan, but they sell things to recyclers here too. I emailed a place that took microwaves, if they could spare a few transformers. Since you cant find them in streets, and they are $10 at thrift stores.

They replied back saying:
Sorry our insurance doesn't allow that.

Sad...I had hopes to get some for a decent price too...

IntraWinding

Sat Jul 17 2010, 11:12AM

Registered Member #2261 Joined: Mon Aug 03 2009, 01:19AM
Location: London, UK
Posts: 581

I'm pretty sure I remember hearing years ago that thrown own out rubbish is the property of the local council in the UK, but I've never heard of a prosecution. I assume it's to prevent people setting up companies that'll be constantly searching bins, creating a nuisance and leaving only the low grade stuff for the council dump. The New York rule only applies if you take stuff away in a car, so its actually more relaxed than here. Presumably after carrying an item to a new location it's yours and you could then load it into a car? 'The law is an ass', as they say.

radiotech

Sat Jul 17 2010, 05:45PM

Registered Member #2463 Joined: Wed Nov 11 2009, 03:49AM
Location:
Posts: 1546

Killa-x wrote" could spare a few transformers...
They replied back saying:
Sorry our insurance doesn't allow that.

A former co-worker, (chemist) told me in small towns in Pakistan
everything is reused. An example was non working sealed compressors from refrigerators- they are opened, bearings and electrics are repaired and then welded closed by artisians. If the thing cannot be repaired the shells are made into cooking pots.
Those who owned the refrigerator new just buy another but those not rich enough might get a refurbished unit, if electricity available.
Where there are lots of people with few jobs (outskirts of large citeis) there are many micro-economies operating. Why not in North America?

Conundrum

Sat Jul 17 2010, 09:20PM

Registered Member #96 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
Location: CI, Earth
Posts: 4061

Sulaiman wrote ...

AFAIK (

and Find 'rubbish' ) in the UK taking from a bin/skip/dump is illegal without permission.

However, in the case of those mobile phone transponder boards, I actually phoned up and asked the skip owners for permission.

Of course if an issue arose then they could deny all knowledge of this conversation, but this would then expose them to bad publicity which IMHO would be far more damaging.

interestingly enough in the UK at least an added complication is the WEEE Directive, even though equipment is classed as "electronics waste" you apparently need to be registered in order to legally handle it, even if the owner has given permission. No prosecutions yet AFAIK, probably because the authorities have better things to do.

I did notice that things are getting stricter here, probably because of the dreaded "ealth & safety".
asked at the charity shops and they aren't allowed to take even battery powered stuff with a mains socket now...

-A

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