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Dumpster diving now illegal in NYC?

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quicksilver

Sun Jul 18 2010, 02:30PM

Registered Member #1408 Joined: Fri Mar 21 2008, 03:49PM
Location: Oracle, AZ
Posts: 679

radiotech wrote ...

Where there are lots of people with few jobs (outskirts of large citeis) there are many micro-economies operating. Why not in North America?

Because it would be admitting that there IS a problem and that all is not so wonderful.....?

Frosty90

Sat Jul 24 2010, 05:33AM

Registered Member #1617 Joined: Fri Aug 01 2008, 07:31AM
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 139

A little bit differnent, but similar:

In south australia, we have a 10 cent refund on recycleable containers: You keep your empty glass bottles and aluminium cans etc, and take them to a recycling depot and you get 10 cents per item. Something I noticed recently, which seems somewhat bizzre to me anyway, is now there is a sign there saying "if you have more than $50 worth of material, you are required to sign a hobby registration form" A hobby registration form?! talk about red tape! (I suspect it includes a fee too) I suppose it is to stop people raiding bins and dumpsters for drink cans and bottles! You often see people in public areas collecting cans and bottles from bins anyway, Ive never seen or heard of any being in trouble with the law though (I think it is illegal though).

Chris Russell

Sat Jul 24 2010, 06:35AM

... not Russel!
Registered Member #1 Joined: Thu Jan 26 2006, 12:18AM
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Posts: 1052

quicksilver wrote ...

radiotech wrote ...

Where there are lots of people with few jobs (outskirts of large citeis) there are many micro-economies operating. Why not in North America?

Because it would be admitting that there IS a problem and that all is not so wonderful.....?

Actually, he answered his own question. In Pakistan, there is a large surplus of labor, and the wages earned are quite a bit different. The cost of everyday items like refrigerators isn't that different, but income levels are. Consider, in North America, a reasonably-sized basic model refrigerator sells for around US$500, new. Used, in good condition, you'd be lucky to get $250. For argument's sake, let's say a refurbished refrigerator would sell in the US for the same as a used fridge; $250. Now, how much in labor would it cost to find refrigerators on the street, transport them to a shop, cut open the compressor, repack the bearings and possibly rewind the motor, and then seal it back up? My guess is, without even factoring in the cost of materials, you've already eaten up a significant portion of that $250 in labor. Add in materials, disposal of harmful CFCs, licensing and certification requirements, and it's not hard to see that it will be extremely difficult or impossible to turn a profit.

Now, in Pakistan, the average annual income is a small fraction of what it is in North America: around 2%. So if the labor here in the US cost around $150, in Pakistan, it will probably cost around $3. There's no concern about releasing CFCs into the environment, and little to no licensing or certification to worry about. It will be much, much cheaper there to restore a refrigerator to working status. The same goes for a great many things; yes, I could take an angle grinder and turn scrap metal into a passable cooking pot. However, I could just go to work and earn enough to buy a much better, brand new cooking pot in less time. Unfortunately for the environment, that's the way the economy pans out.

quicksilver

Mon Jul 26 2010, 05:48PM

Registered Member #1408 Joined: Fri Mar 21 2008, 03:49PM
Location: Oracle, AZ
Posts: 679

Killa-X wrote ...

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...

IMO the issue was you put your request in writing. I've been successful in asking for all sorts of things that potentially had "insurance issues" because I did it in person.
By writing your request, if some tragedy does occur there is a fuss because of the paper trail for a PI attorney to feed off of. The other issue is that anyone can be behind an Email (or letter, etc) but by approaching a guy in person, he can see that there is less to be concerned with; you are not "setting him up", you are not 12 yrs old, you are not from some wonderful government agency, or whatever.
In fact, the more you ask; the greater the possibilities you WILL receive things. It's just like anything else; "you can't win if you don't play"!

radiotech

Mon Jul 26 2010, 07:18PM

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

A way around this that I have used for years is to place an add in the classifieds--(Craigs list?)-- "Wanted dead or obsolete microwave ovens. will pay $1. and pick them up" When someone phones you
write their name, address, phone # on a duplicate receipt for $1. and make them sign for the dollar you give them. Now the ownership is transferred to you with a traceable document of origin.
If they refuse to sign-walk away.

Nicko

Mon Jul 26 2010, 08:02PM

Registered Member #1334 Joined: Tue Feb 19 2008, 04:37PM
Location: Nr. London, UK
Posts: 615

...
In the UK I have found that a quiet word with a friendly site manager and about 10 quid towards their coffee & biscuits fund allows me as much time as I need, so long as I stay out of sight of the security cameras...

Having friends who work for BIG UPS suppliers helps too as you can generally intercept the good stuff before it even makes the WEEE skips...

Martin King

Thu Aug 19 2010, 02:18PM

Registered Member #3040 Joined: Tue Jul 27 2010, 03:15PM
Location: South of London. UK
Posts: 237

A while back a local printers was throwing out some old printing equipment. I wanted the vacuum pump out of a pull down frame so popped in and asked. I was told I could have the pump but only if I took everything! It took me most of the weekend and four trips home and back to dismantle everything. A small selection is here:-

There was also a single phase powered 3 phase motor drive a roll laminator and various other bits and pieces. BTW the hydraulics, motor and drive were from one of these :-

From another printers I got two large/powerful stepper motors with ballscrews which were from an old enlarger. I almost missed them as they had thrown the rest of the enlarger away but run out of space in the bin for the ballscrews etc.

So, It pays to ask! and printers in particular seem to have a lot of useful stuff

Conundrum

Thu Aug 19 2010, 07:05PM

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

yeah, even old inkjets like the Epson and HP all-in-one series have nice stepper motors, driver ICs and optics. Not to mention the made-of-unobtainium optical wheels and detectors which you can't buy retail for any price, good for 0.05mm resolution.

I just took apart a broken Epson dot matrix/thermal recept printer, got an intact DM sled and some other bits plus the steppers, piles of solenoids, near microscopic connectors, etc yadayada.

Supposedly you can "print" a lightscribe disk using one of those thermal heads in seconds if you are careful...

-A
"Bother" said Pooh, as they recalled all the PS3's...

Martin King

Fri Aug 20 2010, 01:09PM

Registered Member #3040 Joined: Tue Jul 27 2010, 03:15PM
Location: South of London. UK
Posts: 237

Conundrum wrote ...

yeah, even old inkjets like the Epson and HP all-in-one series have nice stepper motors, driver ICs and optics.

This is true although I was talking about a different kind of printer

Martin.

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